10 Tips on Buying a Furnace

Do your homework

Research various manufacturers and service providers and ask your family/friends for suggestions - who would know the type of service provided better than the customer?

Get a few quotes

It's always a good idea to get a few quotations and look at your options - often one company may not notice things required while another may. Also by the same token some companies may try and sell you things you don't need, so make sure your representative is thorough when providing a quotation.

Make sure than when comparing quotes, that you are looking at the type of equipment as well as the price; manufacturer's always have a low and high end brand of equipment, so ensure you're comparing apples to apples.

Ask questions

If you aren't sure what's being provided or you don't understand something that is said, ask. Inquire as to warranty, maintenance needed, what the advantages are from this model to the next, etc. Also be sure to voice any current problems you're having - poor air flow to the top floor, condensation on the windows, etc. Your representative may recommend a unit or venting work that could solve these problems.

Pick a good piece of equipment with a good reputation

As an extension of the "do your homework part", make sure the equipment you're quoted has a good reputation in terms of repair history and longevity.

For example, the equipment we sell, Trane, is a top rated furnace according to Consumer's reports in terms of reliability.

Pick the furnace with the longest manufacturer's warranty

Most companies offer a standard 5 year parts and labour warranty. Make sure the warranty is a manufacturer's warranty and not a company warranty. For example, a Trane manufacturer's warranty can be transferred if you sell the house or you are dissatisfied with a company's service. Also, it protects you in the event that the company goes out of business - not covered if you go with a standard company warranty.

Find a reputable company with experience

You can buy the best piece of equipment and maintain it constantly, but if it's not installed properly, you will never reach the peak efficiency or get the longevity the furnace should have. Go with a company who has experience in installations using licensed professionals.

If you have air conditioning or run your furnace fan all the time, consider a furnace with a D.C. variable speed motor.

A D.C. motor uses 1/12th of the electricity as a regular fan motor, which can save you up to $300/year. It will also allow you greater humidity control in the summertime, as well as a more even, quiet heat in the winter months. It will cost you more to invest initially, but the payback in dollars and comfort may be worth it to you.

Check for incentives

Check our grants page for more details on current offers. Energuide is also offering chargeable whole house audits, which can make additional incentives available to you. If you were considering both the mid and high efficiency options, this may help in your decision. Also check other special programs, such as extended warranties, cash back, etc.

Correct sizing of equipment

Getting an oversized furnace is as bad as undersizing it. Your furnace, if not properly sized, will never reach the rated peak efficiency, will work harder than it needs to, be louder, and cycle more often. Keep in mind that what may have been sufficient for your home 20 years ago may be oversized for your home's needs today, and as a result we will never size equipment based on what your current furnace is. Age of the home, square footage of the house, quality of the ductwork, window size and insulation all come into play when sizing equipment.

Budget for quality

Budget is normally a top concern when shopping for a large piece of equipment such as a furnace. Check around and don't just go with the lowest price you see. Follow the tips above keeping budget in mind; you don't necessarily have to sacrifice quality for price.

For example, you can buy a top of the line mid efficiency Trane for apprroximately the same price as a bottom line high efficiency Trane furnace. The top of the line mid has a D.C. motor, which will save you upwards of $300/year, whereas the bottom line high efficiency saves you 13% per cubic meter of gas used. Which one is the better deal? If you have air conditioning or run your fan all the time, the mid is the best choice in this case - it will save you more money in electrical savings vs the gas savings in a high efficiency. Of course, if initial cost or payback is of no consequence to you, the High Efficiency with D.C. motor will save you the most in the long run.

Go with your gut

Finally, go with a company who you like and trust. If you've done your research on the equipment and company itself, your representative is the personal link - they will take care of everything for you, so make sure they're willing to go the extra mile for you.

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