• 21 Dec, 2022
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Take the Uncertainty Out of the New Furnace Cost for Your Home

Is your furnace nearing retirement age and needs replacement? If your heating system is 15 years or older, it’s time to think about buying a new one. After all, the average furnace lasts about 20 years. But with BTUs, AFUEs, single or two stage, two or variable blower motor speed, your head is spinning. How can you figure out a price when you don’t even know what kind of heater to buy? Take the guesswork out of a new furnace cost by calling Aspire Heating & Cooling.

Aspire Heating & Cooling can help you find the best furnace for your home while staying within your budget. Veteran-owned and operated, we will customize our recommendations to your indoor comfort needs. Our technicians can install gas furnaces, geothermal heating, heat pumps, and ductless units. Plus, we can service and repair any make or model. We offer 2 levels of maintenance plans to keep your heating system running efficiently. Moreover, we’re a Trane Authorized dealer with some of the best warranties in the business.  Thinking of replacing your HVAC? Give us a call today at 336-281-0047 to see how we can improve your indoor comfort.

Does Trane Make the Best Furnace? 

For over 100 years, Trane has been building heating and cooling systems. Always innovative, the company constantly designs and tests components with the latest technology. To date, Trane holds over 1500 patents. This is one of the reasons Trane is an industry leader. And their focus on manufacturing the best products has earned awards. Lifestory Research has named Trane America’s Most Trusted Brand for the past 6 consecutive years.

With the consumer in mind, Trane puts its products through 16 weeks of grueling tests. Units undergo bone-chilling cold and blistering heat. Some units endure more than 2,600 hours of continuous testing. By putting units through extreme conditions found in nature, Trane proves their units are truly unstoppable.

Comparatively, Trane offers one of the strongest warranties in the industry. With Trane, you’re fully covered for 10 years.  Not only are you covered by a 10- year parts warranty, but also a 10-year labor warranty. Many other manufacturers only offer a parts warranty. That’s why we’ve chosen to partner with Trane.

My Furnace Is Running Fine, Do I Really Need to Replace It?

If your furnace is near 15 years of age, you really should think about replacing it. While it’s tempting to put it off, older units tend to have more expensive repairs. Moreover, you don’t want a total failure of your heater, especially in the middle of winter. An old furnace will start to have breakdowns with costly repairs near the end of its life. Even if it’s currently running great, you may want to avoid costly breakdowns and repairs.

Plus, the newer models are much more energy-efficient than your older model. An older heater will have an efficiency range between 56-70%. Today’s models have efficiency ranges from 80-98%. With a more efficient furnace, you can save on utility costs. Some experts estimate your energy savings at about 20%.

An added danger with older gas or oil furnaces is carbon monoxide poisoning. A furnace naturally produces small amounts of carbon monoxide that’s vented outside. However, over the years, your heater can begin to run dirtier resulting in the creation of more carbon monoxide. Additionally, an older furnace can develop cracks in its heat exchanger thus leading to CO gas leaking into your home.

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that can kill you. According to the CDC, each year, more than 400 Americans die from unintentional CO poisoning. Additionally, CO poisoning has led to more than 20,000 visits to the emergency room with more than 4,000 hospitalized. If you suspect your gas or oil furnace isn’t running properly, call us at 336-281-0047. We’ll take a look at your unit and make any necessary repairs. Should you need a new HVAC, we’ll find a solution within your budget.

What Will a New Furnace Cost Me?

Undoubtedly, buying a new furnace can be a big expense. There are many factors affecting price. Plus, there are offsets to the cost that save you money over the long term. For example, you’ll save money on utility costs with a newer more efficient model. Moreover, you just can’t put a price on your indoor comfort and safety.

Typically, an oil furnace is cheaper than a gas furnace. However, oil furnaces have a lower efficiency rate and the fuel is more expensive. Generally, most homeowners replace their old unit with one of the same type they already have. While it is possible to switch from an oil furnace to gas, this can be expensive.

Of course, there is a great price difference between brands. As with any product, there is high end, cheapest and somewhere in the middle furnace brands. The differences among brands are the longevity of the unit, warranties, efficiencies, and customer service. For instance, some warranties cover labor costs as well as parts. And then each brand generally offers different levels of furnaces to meet homeowners’ budgets and heating needs. Your decision lies with the factors you value most in a new unit.

Likewise, installation costs can vary greatly. Typically, your heater location is price-dependent. An easily accessible unit will result in lower installation costs. While a heater that is difficult to get to will require a higher installation cost. Furthermore, you may need duct work to fix leaks. After all, a new efficient furnace can’t compensate for the loss of heat due to cracks in your ducts. If you have leaky ductwork, you could be losing between 20-30% of your heat.

Single Stage or Two Stage Furnace

One factor to consider when purchasing a new gas or oil furnace is how many stages you want. There are single, two, and modular stages. Each has a different price tag and benefits.

A single stage runs at full capacity all the time. Generally, this type of unit has a lower upfront cost and incurs less breakdowns. Repair costs are also usually low. Typically, they have a single speed blower motor.

Whereas, a two-stage furnace runs at 70% capacity most of the time. The result is higher energy efficiency and thus lower utility bills. In addition, it heats your home more consistently than a single stage with fewer temperature fluctuations. Homes located in areas with drastic temperature drops can benefit greatly from a two-stage. Additionally, if your home has multi-levels, a two-stage heater can keep you cozy.

If you’re looking for the most efficient type of gas furnace, the modular is for you. It has a burner that adjusts the amount of fuel burned to maintain a consistent temperature. This unit offers the most precise heating. With constant monitoring of the amount of fuel burned, you minimize waste.

Moreover, you can get a variable speed blower motor in either the two or modular stage units. The heating system monitors the temperature in your home, adjusting the blower in small increments. Variable speed blowers are quieter and more responsive to weather fluctuations. This translates into greater indoor comfort in maintaining a given temperature. Additionally, it consumes less energy because it always operates at the lowest speed. Finally, a variable speed motor will cycle on and off less frequently putting less stress on your system. Less stress generally means a longer life.

AFUEs and BTUs Demystified

When you begin shopping for a new furnace, decide first on the number of BTUs you need. British Thermal Units (BTUs) is a method to measure energy in relation to heat. It’s based on the square footage and layout of your home. Buying the correct BTUs is very important in choosing the right size furnace. If you buy a unit size that’s too big, your equipment will work too hard with frequent cycling. Alternatively, too small a unit won’t be able to provide the indoor comfort you seek.

Another important rating is the Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE). AFUE is a measurement of a furnace’s efficiency in converting fuel to energy. The more efficient a unit is, the higher the AFUE rating. Gas furnaces for homes in the Northern U.S. need an AFUE of 95% to receive an Energy Star label. While in the Southern U.S, gas furnaces only need 90%. Oil furnaces need a minimum of 85% AFUE to receive the label.  Products that earn the ENERGY STAR label meet strict energy-efficiency specifications set by the EPA.  Energy Star set these guidelines to help you save on energy costs while protecting the environment.

Installation Is Just as Important as the Heating System

Certainly, it’s important to buy the right size furnace with a good AFUE. But equally important is choosing the right contractor to install it for you. Even a highly-efficient unit with a poor installation can’t compete with a correctly installed unit with a lower AFUE. In fact, Energy Star estimates that improper installation can reduce a system’s efficiency by up to 30%. Additionally, improper installation may shorten the life of your furnace.

Installing a furnace is complicated but we have the knowledge and experience at Aspire Heating & Cooling. Whatever type of furnace you need, our NATE-certified technicians can install it. They have the expertise to install your system correctly to maximize efficiency. Plus, we make the replacement an easy process with upfront pricing and organized project management. Moreover, our recommendations will meet your unique needs and lifestyle. And we always give you a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

Why Does NATE Certification Matter?

In our world of ever-increasing knowledge, you want to make sure your technician is using the latest technology. Certification from the North American Technician Excellence (NATE) organization gives you the assurance that you’re getting the best service. NATE-certified technicians must pass a nationally recognized test demonstrating their knowledge of HVAC systems.

When using a NATE-certified technician, homeowners benefit with fast, efficient service. Technicians will install your furnace properly, resulting in fewer callbacks and a longer life for your equipment. Additionally, you’ll experience lower energy bills from proper installation and maintenance. Generally, you can identify a NATE-certified technician by the patch on their shirt. In addition, technicians carry a card as proof that they are certified.

Aspire Offers Full Service for Your Heating System

As your heater is nearing its 15^th birthday, it’s time to start looking for a replacement. While a new furnace may be a big expense, waiting may mean higher repair bills or a lack of heat. And since there are many variables in determining a new furnace cost, it’s always best to consult an expert. In the Winston-Salem area, those experts are Aspire Heating & Cooling. We offer a range of heating systems including heat pumps, ductless systems, and gas furnaces. Our technicians are NATE-certified, factory trained, frequently updated, and follow strict installation practices.

If you need an installation, service, or a tune-up, we want to be your contractor. We service all makes and models of HVAC systems, even if you bought your system elsewhere. Additionally, we offer 2 levels of maintenance plans. Maintaining your heating and cooling systems can lead to longer system life and fewer problems. So, give us a call today at 336-281-0047 for all your heating and air conditioning needs. Because your indoor comfort is our goal.