A furnace is one of the appliances in the home that consumes a lot of energy. The efficiency of a furnace is one of the factors that will influence energy consumption. Furnaces can go a long time without needing replacement, so you may have had to live with an inefficient appliance for several years.

Now the time has come to consider a replacement for your home in Edmonton. Hiring the right contractor will minimize the stress of finding the most efficient furnace option. However, it helps to have some know-how of what affects the energy efficiency of a furnace.

Furnace Efficiency Ratings

The rating on a furnace is one of the elements to evaluate when getting a replacement. AFUE, fuel annual utilization efficiency, refers to the effectiveness of gas transforming into heating energy for a furnace to carry out its functions. The amount of gas or electricity a furnace burns when running will determine how efficient it is. The AFUE rating is measured in percentage and the higher it is, the more heat a furnace converts from gas.

A few decades ago, the best furnace had a rating of approximately 78%, but now some appliances even reach near-total efficiency. An expert providing Edmonton furnace replacement services will recommend a unit with high ratings. If your home gets particularly cold, then you may want to consider a furnace with a 90+% rating.

Calculating the operating costs of a furnace for a whole year is one way to find the most efficient one, and a contractor can help with that. Simply making estimations may mislead you during the final selections of your replacement furnace.

Heating experts have ways of arriving at precise calculations. An expert in installing and repairing furnaces such as Capital Plumbing & Heating Ltd. can also tell you if a model you are considering has been tested properly and if it meets the required standards.

Filter Efficiency

The other element to consider when looking for an efficient furnace replacement is the filtration system. Furnace filters come in different materials that offer varying levels of efficiency. HEPA pleated, and electrostatic filters are some of the best choices because they are very useful in collecting dust. The less dust that makes its way into the furnace, the better it operates.

When getting a furnace replacement, ask the contractor to help choose a suitable one based on the surroundings in your home. The minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) is what gauges the efficiency of furnace filters. A contractor will look at the air circulation in your home and recommend the best levels.