7 Things to Be Aware of Before Purchasing a Furnace in Indianapolis

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

1. Size and Installation Quality 

To operate at peak efficiency and comfort, your furnace must be correctly sized for your home. When it comes to furnaces, bigger is certainly not better. We frequently get requests from customers to purchase a big furnace in the mistaken belief that a larger furnace is either more reliable or will provide better comfort. 

The opposite is true. Oversized furnaces will short cycle, or constantly turn on and off. This leaves you uncomfortable, with higher energy bills and a furnace that could wear out much sooner. 

This is why it’s crucial to work with the right company when purchasing a new furnace. Even if it’s the right size but installed wrong, 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 improperly designed, you might have problems with sound or comfort. A furnace is only as good as the duct system it’s linked 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 kinds of home comfort systems. In addition to technical skill, our technicians are also trained in treating you ethically. We also support our work with a 100% satisfaction guarantee for a year.* 

2. Energy Efficiency 

Furnaces are ranked by a term called AFUE, or annual fuel utilization efficiency. Like miles per gallon on cars, this rates 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 rated 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—best efficiency rating available. 

3. Blower Motor Technology 

As you research new furnaces there is one more important consideration: blower technology. This part circulates air throughout your home. And it also consumes a lot of electricity, so it’s essential to know about your options. 

There are three types of blowers available on furnaces nowadays. 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 finds a balance between cost and energy efficiency. It delivers an electrical efficiency boost over a traditional motor design. 
  • Variable-speed motor. The most energy-efficient furnaces can operate at different speeds. Instead of running at full blast 24/7, they will quietly operate at a low or medium speed at times. This helps improve 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 important 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 
  • Nearly silent gas burners 

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

5. Smart Thermostat 

You probably use a programmable thermostat, but it’s quite possible you probably aren’t maximizing your energy savings. These thermostats can be complicated to program, especially if your schedule changes from day to day. 

A smart thermostat eliminates all the guesswork 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 needed. 

As an extra perk, you’ll also be able to monitor and adjust 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 significant difference in furnace quality and reliability. Like any large purchase, we believe it’s best to go with a major brand name. With a leading brand like Lennox® or Goodman®, you’ll have more assurance in the technology and that the manufacturer will stand by its product warranty over the long haul. 

Furnaces usually have two main warranty coverage areas: 

  • Heat exchanger. This is the heart of the furnace and the most expensive component to replace. This part typically has a 20-year limited warranty or lifetime limited warranty, but this can differ based on the manufacturer and furnace model. 
  • Main parts. This involves the blower motor, electronic controls, ignitors and other important parts. Warranties can range from as short as a one-year limited warranty to as much as a 10-year limited warranty. 

When reviewing warranty coverage, it’s essential to know it’s limited. So, you should make sure you understand the restrictions. For example, nearly all standard manufacturer warranties only include the cost of the replacement part, not labor. And labor on a new heat exchanger could get costly. 

Once your new furnace is running, make sure you complete the product registration immediately. Many manufacturers may limit the warranty term if the product registration is not done. This step is simple and typically 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 affect on 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 provides. 

A couple of other ways to save include: 

  • Replacing your air conditioner simultaneously. 
  • Purchasing 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. 
  • Reap the benefits 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 enroll in 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 look for in a new furnace, when should you replace your old one? Here are a few ideas from our Experts that will help you make that decision. 

Age 

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

Repair Frequency and Cost 

Just like any appliance, as furnaces get older, the potential for frequent furnace repair goes up. If your system is more than 15 years old, those repairs can be particularly expensive. Common and expensive repairs on an older furnace include: 

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

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

Energy Efficiency 

Furnaces older than 15 years can be extremely inefficient. You could be throwing away as much as 30% of the money you spend to heat your home. High energy costs and the desire to decrease 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 utility bills. 

Trust Your Furnace Replacement to the Experts 

It can seem 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 more convenient. Call us at 866-397-3787 or schedule an appointment online to book your free home comfort assessment now. 


*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. 

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