When considering furnace replacement, there are a few questions you will likely ask. Below is helpful information related to some of the common questions that we get from our customers before we replace their furnace:
Q: What types of furnaces are there?
– Natural gas furnaces tend to be the least costly means of heating your home when temperatures drop below freezing. Natural gas furnaces, or propane furnaces, work by having a pilot light lit, and this ignites the burners inside a combustion chamber. This chamber generates heat, which it sends through a heat exchanger. This heat exchanger transfers the heat to the air.
– Oil furnaces can work great, but they tend to be larger than natural gas furnaces. For older homes that do not have gas lines, however, propane and oil furnaces can be excellent options. These furnaces tend to create more carbon dioxide as well. In an oil furnace, a blower pushes oil at high pressure into a combustion chamber. An electric spark ignites it, and then the oil burns as mist is sprayed.
– Electric furnaces are more efficient than either natural gas or oil furnaces, but the cost of operating an electric furnace tends to be higher. Electric furnaces work like toasters, or like electric ovens. There are heating elements that generate heat through coils.
Q: What are the different types of furnace blowers?
A fixed-speed (or standard) blower just turns on and turns off, but a variable-speed furnace https://www.hvac.com/blog/variable-speed-furnaces-everything-homeowners-need-to-know/ can change the speed of the blower. By going faster in colder weather, it saves energy. A variable-speed furnace is also quieter, and keeps your home temperature more constant.
Q: How much does a furnace cost to install?
There are many variables to take into account. If you need to replace your ducts, installation can take up to a week. Customarily, though, we can install a new furnace in about a day. The capacity of the furnace and the add-on accessories will also impact the cost.
The priciest home furnaces cost around $10,000, and a large multi-story home will often have multiple furnaces. Some natural gas and oil furnaces can cost considerably less – as low as $2,400 each.
Accessories that may add cost, should you choose them, include air purifiers and whole-home humidifiers.
Q: How long do furnaces last?
Furnaces often last for 15 to 20 years, but more energy-efficient furnaces should last the full 20 years. Better furnaces – as the saying goes, you often get what you pay for – tend to live longer, by at least five years. Whether or not your furnace seems to be working properly, you should have a professional HVAC worker inspect it if it is older than 15 years.
Q: Should I keep the thermostat fan running?
You should, indeed, keep the fan running. The smart thing to do is to leave the thermostat “on,” but turn the temperature down if you want to leave the furnace off. When you keep the thermostat “on,” the fan keeps running. This fan helps filter the air, keeping your home air cleaner and fresher. This is especially crucial during allergy season, when a lot of pollen is in the air. Also, if you have a multi-story home, this fan keeps the different floors balanced. Since hot air rises, keeping the thermostat on and fan running will help circulate the air and make sure the downstairs does not get significantly colder than the upstairs.
Reliable Furnace Replacement In Cincinnati
We are Pinnacle Air Solutions would be happy to offer a free estimate on what your home may call for in terms of replacing the furnace. Just fill out our online contact form to set up a FREE IN-HOME ESTIMATE.