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As the seasons change and the temperature drops, ensuring your home stays warm and comfortable becomes a top priority. A reliable and efficient furnace is the cornerstone of a cozy living space, and making the right choice is crucial for both your comfort and your budget.
As a homeowner in Ontario, you know the value of a reliable heating system. It’s more than just a convenience; it’s a vital component of your home’s infrastructure.
Whether you’re looking to buy a replacement furnace, upgrade to a more energy-efficient model, or simply seeking to enhance your home’s heating capabilities, this furnace guide has you covered.
When it comes to buying a new furnace, it’s crucial to start by understanding your specific heating needs. Ontario’s climate and your home’s unique characteristics play a significant role in determining the right furnace for you.
The first step is to assess the climate in your region and understand how your furnace will be used seasonally. Do you need a furnace that can handle extreme cold? Or one that provides consistent, efficient heating for milder winters?
The size of your home and its layout are critical factors to consider. Larger homes often require more powerful furnaces, while smaller homes or apartments may suffice with smaller units. Think about how many floors your home has, if it’s an open concept or segmented, as well as insulation levels. Each of these can impact heat distribution.
An improperly sized furnace can lead to wasted energy, discomfort, and increased maintenance costs. Use this formula to determine which size is best for your home:
1 square foot of a house = 30 BTUs
For example, if your house is 1,000 square feet, then a furnace with a 30,000 BTU output would be perfect for warming it evenly. This is of course a rough estimate, but is nonetheless a helpful guide to follow when shopping.
It’s strongly recommended to consult with a professional HVAC technician or heating specialist to perform the manual calculation and determine the correct furnace size. They will ensure your furnace is tailored to your home’s specific requirements.
Schedule a Heating Load Assessment
If you’re looking to buy a replacement furnace, assess its performance and whether it adequately met your heating needs. Note any issues, such as uneven heating or high energy bills, as these can inform your decision for a new furnace.
Energy conservation matters, especially when it comes to furnaces.
When buying a new furnace, its efficiency ratings will tell you how much energy the unit will waste while running at peak conditions. There are two certifications to check: Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) and ENERGY Star Ratings.
The AFUE rating measures how efficiently a furnace converts fuel into heat for your home. Its formula divides the energy the furnace uses by the heat it produces to give you a value in BTUs.
A high value is better, as it means only a small percentage of fuel is lost during combustion. The minimum number value for an efficient furnace is 80, with modern models promising an AFUE rating between 90 and 98.
| Furnace Type | Average AFUE Rating |
|---|---|
| Natural Gas | 90-98.5% |
| Electric | 95-100% |
| Propane | 90-98% |
This iconic blue star logo denotes a product as being energy efficient. A furnace adorned with this icon means it’s passed the strict energy efficiency guidelines administered by Natural Resources Canada’s Office of Energy Efficiency.
ENERGY STAR-labelled products guarantee efficient performance that will reduce your carbon footprint while helping you save on utility bills. Investing in appliances they have certified is a great way to improve home energy efficiency.
Related resource: Tips to Make Homes More Energy Efficient
Furnace installation is an intricate process that requires careful consideration. It’s more than just placing the heating appliance in the basement; you must also consider how your ductwork and ventilation system should be arranged.
Always opt for professional furnace installation. A certified HVAC technician has the expertise to install your furnace correctly, ensuring safety, efficiency, and compliance with local building codes.
Ducts transport air in and out of the furnace. HVAC installers tread carefully during duct installation to ensure no leaks or potential issues hinder performance.
Get a Furnace Installation Quote
Like other appliances, furnaces also need maintenance to prevent sudden breakdowns, major inconveniences, and discomfort at home.
It’s highly recommended that homeowners schedule annual inspections and cleanings with an HVAC specialist to maintain the performance of their new furnace.
During each session, a technician checks all parts for wear and tear, tests their functions, and addresses any issues. These yearly check-ups are great for detecting early signs of damage to prevent costly repairs.
A dirty filter causes decreased air delivery, insufficient heating and cooling, and poor air quality. That’s why you must change your furnace filter every 90 days (or less), depending on how often your furnace is used.
New furnaces are not a one-and-done purchase. They’re an investment, and as a homeowner, understanding the costs involved is crucial for a smooth and informed purchase. As such, we advise you to consider upfront costs as well as those you’ll encounter down the line.
Some factors that affect the furnace unit cost include furnace type, size, brand, and energy efficiency rating. As with anything, you often get what you pay for—immediately opting for the cheapest option probably isn’t a great idea.
If you plan to buy an energy-efficient gas furnace with an AFUE rating of 98%, you can expect to pay anywhere from $4,000 to $6,500. However, while you may be paying more upfront, the return on your investment is key.
LG Home Comfort is proud to offer a multitude of ongoing promotions to make buying a new furnace and other HVAC services more affordable.
Now that you’re equipped with the knowledge of what to look for when buying a furnace, you’re in the right place to make a purchase.
Before you take the next step, take the time to consult with a certified HVAC professional to ensure you’re buying a unit that will benefit your home the most. We at LG Home Comfort are happy to help you with that!
Our same-day furnace installation services include everything from the initial consultation to curating your customized solution, to the actual installation. We understand that Canadian families require safe and reliable heating systems, especially during the colder months, which is why our licensed and experienced HVAC technicians do it right the first time.
Call us today to learn more about our heating and cooling solutions.
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