Serving Milford, MA & the 
Has the time come to replace your home’s furnace? A lot has changed in the 15 or more years since you purchased your last unit. Let’s explore everything you should know to make the best decision for you and your home.
Power and Fuel Options
You have the choice between either a fuel-burning or electric furnace. Electric furnaces are generally cheaper initially but cost more in the long term because of electricity rates. If an electric furnace is your only option, we may recommend a heat pump instead. They tend to be much more efficient.
If your neighborhood has access to a natural gas line, gas is usually the best option. Our team can perform the conversion for customers who’ve gained natural gas access since their last furnace installation. Alternatives to natural gas include propane and oil, which you can store on your property in a tank. Which is better for you depends on availability and pricing in your area.
Load Calculation
Optimal sizing of a furnace is a primary reason it’s so important to hire a professional and experienced installer. An undersized furnace won’t heat your home well enough and will experience wear and tear that shortens its lifespan. An oversized furnace will cost you unnecessarily up front, and it will cycle irregularly. That will lead to decreased efficiency and wear and tear that abbreviates its lifecycle.
To size your furnace optimally, our technician will perform a load calculation. A core factor is the cubic footage of your home, but it isn’t the only consideration. We’ll consider the local climate in addition to your location, property, and home building envelope.
Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency
The HVAC industry and the Department of Energy (DOE) use annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) to measure furnace energy efficiency. The number indicates how much fuel a furnace burns successfully and how much it wastes. The minimum allowed by the DOE in the U.S. is 80. AFUE 80 means that a furnace successfully converts 80% of the fuel it burns into heat. The higher the AFUE, the more efficient a furnace is and the less it costs to operate.
Efficiency: Short-vs. Long-Term Costs
A traditional furnace is the most affordable option in the short term. High-efficiency models cost more because they have additional components and, often, the installation is more complex. High-efficiency furnaces cost less to run. There may also be energy incentives that help offset your initial investment. For most homeowners, choosing the ideal efficiency comes down to weighing the long-term savings versus the additional initial costs. Whichever is higher is likely where you should gravitate.
Energy Incentives
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) oversees the independent testing of furnaces. The EPA also has energy efficiency standards higher than the DOE minimums. If a furnace meets its standards, as verified by an independent lab, the EPA awards its ENERGY STAR certification. Most energy incentives available for furnaces require a model with the ENERGY STAR label.
There are rebates available through manufacturers, local utility companies, nonprofit organizations, and federal, state, and local governments. With proof of purchase and installation, a rebate provides cash in hand with no other requirements. There are also tax credits available through the federal government.
Mid-Efficiency Furnaces
The term mid-efficiency furnace emerged before the DOE increased the AFUE minimum to 80. It refers to furnaces rated between 80 and 89 AFUE. These are the modern versions of the traditional furnace. Most burn fuel and have single-stage blowers and burners and a single heat exchanger.
High-Efficiency Furnaces
High-efficiency furnaces have an AFUE of 90 or higher. These will become the standard, as the DOE has increased the AFUE minimum to 95 starting January 1, 2029. This higher efficiency is possible through several innovations. There are mutistage, variable-speed, and modulating furnaces. Traditional furnaces are single-stage heating solutions. When they’re on, they run at a constant speed. Multi- or dual-stage furnaces can switch between a high and low mode. Variable-speed furnaces can switch between three or more modes. Modulating furnaces can modulate up and down, typically in 5% increments.
There are also condensing furnaces. These systems have an additional heat exchanger. The system uses that heat exchanger to condense moisture in the exhaust gases. A byproduct is heat that the furnace adds to the home. Moisture is also a byproduct. That requires condensing furnaces to have a condensate drainage system like what air conditioners and heat pumps require.
Hybrid Heating
Hybrid heating or a dual-fuel heat pump pairs a heat pump with a furnace. This is like a traditional air conditioner and furnace pairing. The main difference is that the heat pump provides heating in addition to cooling. Heat pumps are more efficient heaters than furnaces most of the time. They do have a threshold at which they become inefficient. In a hybrid setup, when the temperature drops to that level, the furnace takes over and provides the home’s heat. This approach is more expensive up front but can save a household considerably over the life of the equipment.
Warranty
Warranties vary greatly between brands and even among furnaces in a product line. Be sure to check the length of coverage and what exactly it covers. You may also want to consider extended warranties. Many manufacturers let you pay a little more for a longer term and more robust coverage.
Air Filtration
All furnaces require an air filter. Note the minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) that a furnace allows. The higher the MERV rating, the better the effectiveness of the filter, but the higher the airflow restriction. Opting for a higher MERV will result in better air quality in your home during the winter.
Other Considerations
A smart thermostat is highly recommended. The DOE estimates that scheduling can save the average home 8% on heating per year. It’s important to choose a thermostat compatible with your furnace. Most smart thermostats are compatible with standard furnaces. If you opt for a variable-speed or modulating furnace, for instance, you’ll need a smart thermostat that supports those functions.
Consider a dehumidifier. It will keep the relative humidity in your home at 30% or higher in winter. That’s what is recommended by the EPA for health and safety. Some furnaces come with an integrated dehumidifier. You can also have us install a dehumidifier as an add-on.
An emerging feature is predictive maintenance. These furnaces can monitor their own performance and alert you to deviations. This allows for scheduling heating maintenance prior to a serious system failure.
Installing a New Furnace in Milford
Tingley Home Services has served homeowners and businesses in Milford, MA, and throughout the surrounding areas since 2003. Our HVAC technicians install, maintain, and repair all ducted and ductless heating and cooling systems. We assist customers with rebates, including participating in the Mass Save program. Our company also offers an Advantage Plan that helps you save on maintenance while providing many other benefits. We also have electricians who perform inspections, installations, and repairs. Our services extend to wiring, electrical panels, standby generators, EV charging stations, indoor and outdoor lighting, appliance hook-ups, and smart devices. Call today or contact us online with any questions about these services or to schedule an appointment for heating installation.
