7 Things to Be Aware of Before Buying a Furnace in East Syracuse

Buying a new furnace may not be a concern in the immediate future. But it’s smart to learn the things that will likely impact your choice when you’re ready to buy. Here are seven things you’ll want to consider when you’re due for furnace replacement in the U.S.

1. Size and Installation Quality 

To run at peak efficiency and comfort, your furnace must be properly sized for your home. When it involves furnaces, bigger is definitely not better. We frequently get requests from customers to install a big furnace in the misguided belief that a larger furnace is either more dependable or will offer better comfort. 

The opposite is true. Oversized furnaces will short cycle, or continuously turn on and off. This leaves you cold, with more expensive energy bills and a furnace that could need replacing much sooner. 

This is why it’s important to work with the right company when purchasing a new furnace. Even if it’s the correct size but improperly installed, the U.S. Department of Energy says you could forfeit as much as 30% of your energy efficiency. 

Another crucial component of installation is ductwork. If yours is old or designed wrong, you might have problems with noise or comfort. A furnace is only as good as the duct system it’s attached to. 

At Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing, our Expert HVAC technicians are ACE certified, which means they’re knowledgeable about repairing and installing various types of home comfort systems. Besides technical skill, our technicians are also trained in treating you fairly. We also stand behind our work with a 100% satisfaction guarantee for a year.* 

2. Energy Efficiency 

Furnaces are rated by a term called AFUE, or annual fuel utilization efficiency. Like miles per gallon on cars, this measures the annual gas consumption of a furnace. The higher the number, the less gas is wasted during the heating process. 

If your present furnace is 15 years old, it’s likely ranked well below 80 AFUE. As an example, if your HVAC system is 70 AFUE, you’re wasting up to 30 cents of each dollar you spend on heating. 

Here’s how AFUE ratings work now: 

  • 80 AFUE—minimum efficiency rating in the U.S. and Canada. 
  • 90 AFUE—ENERGY STAR® rating for furnaces in the U.S. South. 
  • 95 AFUE—ENERGY STAR® rating for furnaces in the U.S. North and Canada. 
  • 98 AFUE—highest efficiency rating available. 

3. Blower Motor Technology 

As you evaluate new furnaces there is one more important thing to consider: blower technology. This part circulates air throughout your home. And it also uses a lot of electricity, so it’s essential to be familiar with your options. 

There are three types of blowers available on furnaces today. They include: 

  • Standard blower motor. Furnaces that aren’t ENERGY STAR rated have a traditional blower motor that’s been relatively the same for the past 30 years. This motor is the least expensive and also the least energy efficient. 
  • Constant torque motor. This technology strikes a balance between cost and energy efficiency. It provides an electrical efficiency boost over a traditional motor design. 
  • Variable-speed motor. The most energy-efficient furnaces can run at different speeds. Instead of running at full blast 24/7, they will quietly run at a low or medium speed at times. This helps enhance your comfort while keeping energy costs down, both in the winter and summer. And it also keeps indoor humidity in check. 

4. Sound Reduction Technology 

Sound has become a very significant consideration with furnace installation, so another great improvement has been keeping noise under control. Some of these features include: 

  • Sealed and insulated cabinets 
  • Variable-speed blower technology 
  • Whisper-quiet gas burners 

With this technology, you might not even be aware that your furnace is running. 

5. Smart Thermostat 

You probably have a programmable thermostat, but it’s quite possible you probably aren’t making the most of your energy savings. These thermostats can be difficult to program, particularly if your schedule changes from day to day. 

A smart thermostat removes all the guessing about energy efficiency. Many models can pick up on your temperature preferences and then create an energy-saving schedule to match. They also recognize when you’re home or away and will adjust your heating and cooling as necessary. 

As a bonus, you’ll also be able to keep tabs on and change your settings from just about anyplace on your phone. Some models can even notify you if they detect a problem with your furnace or remind you when it’s time to change your air filter. 

6. Warranty 

There’s a major difference in furnace quality and reliability. Like any large purchase, we think it’s best to go with a major brand name. With a leading brand like Lennox® or Goodman®, you’ll have more confidence in the technology and that the manufacturer will uphold its product warranty over the long haul. 

Furnaces typically have two main warranty coverage areas: 

  • Heat exchanger. This is the center of the furnace and the costliest component to replace. This part typically has a 20-year limited warranty or lifetime limited warranty, but this can vary based on the manufacturer and furnace model. 
  • Main parts. This involves the blower motor, electronic controls, ignitors and other key parts. Warranties can vary from as little as a one-year limited warranty to as long as a 10-year limited warranty. 

When going over warranty coverage, it’s important to know it’s limited. So, you should make sure you get the limitations. For instance, nearly all standard manufacturer warranties only cover the cost of the replacement part, not labor. And labor on a replacing heat exchanger could get costly. 

Once your new furnace is installed, make sure you complete the product registration immediately. Many manufacturers may reduce the warranty term if the product registration is not completed. This step is easy and usually only takes a few minutes. 

7. Cost 

How much does all this cost anyhow? It could range from $1,700 for a basic furnace, or $5,500 or more for a high-efficiency system. 

As you think about these costs and the impact to your budget, remember that unlike nearly every other appliance you may need to purchase, your new furnace may help pay for itself from the monthly energy savings it offers. 

A couple of other ways to save include: 

  • Replacing your air conditioner at the same time. 
  • Buying at the ideal time, such as in early fall, mid-winter and early spring. You may be able to get extra discounts and rebates during this less busy season. 
  • Take advantage of rebates from the federal and state government, as well as from your local utility provider. We can help you figure out this process. 
  • Finance your new furnace or sign up for our exclusive HVAC Advantage Program™. For just one low monthly fee, you’ll get a new furnace with repairs and maintenance included.* 

How Do I Know When to Replace My Furnace? 

Now that you know what to search for in a new furnace, when should you replace your old one? Here are a few tips from our Experts that will help you decide. 

Age 

Heating systems usually last 15–20 years. How long yours will last depends on whether you’ve done furnace maintenance, where you live and your temperature preferences. If you’re in a place with harsh winters, your furnace will operate more often, potentially making it wear out sooner. The same applies if you like to keep your home at a warmer temperature. 

Repair Frequency and Cost 

Just like any appliance, as furnaces age, the likelihood for frequent furnace repair increases. If your system is more than 15 years old, those repairs can be especially costly. Common and costly repairs on an older furnace include: 

  • Blower motor failures 
  • Ignition control failures 
  • Heat exchanger failures 

If repairs are more than the half the price of a new furnace, it’s generally recommended to replace it. 

Energy Efficiency 

Furnaces older than 15 years can be very inefficient. You could be throwing away as much as 30% of the money you spend to keep your home warm. High energy costs and the desire to reduce energy consumption are also strong reasons to think about replacing your furnace. In fact, an independent study by Decision Analyst reveals nearly 20% of homeowners who recently replaced their furnace specifically did so to lower their energy bills. 

Trust Your Furnace Replacement to the Experts 

It can feel intimidating trying to research furnace features on your own. Or know exactly when you should get a new furnace. Our Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing Experts are here to make the process much easier. Call us at 866-397-3787 or schedule an appointment online to request your free home comfort assessment today. 


*For HVAC Service Memberships, certain warranty exclusions and limitations apply. See your signed agreement for full terms and conditions. For the Advantage Program™, please see your signed Advantage Program Agreement for full details and exclusions. Lease with approved credit; visit ServiceExperts.com for details.