New furnace features
My furnace is definitely at the end of its lifespan. The heater has lasted way longer than I ever expected. When I bought my house eight years ago, the furnace was already outdated and in need of replacement. Unfortunately, my budget was stretched thin paying the mortgage and making essential improvements. I needed to prioritize the leaky roof, several broken windows, a ruptured water heater and some problems caused by water damage. I am finally ready to invest into a new furnace. I am prepared to spend extra for an Energy Star rated, high-efficiency model. I hope to keep the new furnace for fifteen years. I want to take advantage of all of the latest technology and most advantageous features. When my ancient furnace was brand new, it was considered a top-of-the-line model. However, it only provides two stage operation. This means it can only run at low and high speed. It also achieved 80% AFUE. Today’s generation of furnaces include adaptable-speed technology, allowing the equipment to adjust in one percent increments anywhere from 40 to 100%. By running at lower speeds, the heater maintains a more consistent temperature and uses far less energy. There is far less strain on the components, reducing the chance of repairs while extending service life. The furnace doesn’t cause such severe issues with insufficient humidity. There are models that offer a 98% AFUE rating, which would make a huge difference in my monthly utility bills. Since I typically run the heater for eight months of the year, the savings would add up to quickly recover the cost of a new furnace.