Calgary’s Extreme Temperatures Require Efficient Air Conditioning By Bruce Orr At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

If you live in Calgary or surrounding areas, you know how cold the winter can get and how costly home heating can be. Fortunately, your local heating contractor has solutions to make heating your home – and paying for it – easier.

High efficiency furnaces reduce your home heating bill by up to 20%, and give you the added comfort of knowing that your improved energy efficiency is helping the environment. If you are considering a new furnace for your home, you probably have lots of questions. This article will answer the most common questions homeowners ask about new furnace installations.

High Efficiency Furnaces – What You Need to Know

Below are four key questions about furnace installations. For more detailed explanations, talk to a heating contractor in Calgary. Actually, it is best to talk to multiple heating contractors, so you can evaluate costs and compare the contractor’s knowledge and experience. High-efficiency furnaces take particular expertise, so you need to find a contractor who is familiar with the technology.

How much will it cost? According to Climate Change Central, an initiative of the Alberta government, switching from an old furnace to a high-efficiency model will cost about $5,000. There are many variables in the costs that you should be aware of. First, cost depends on the actual model you select. Second, there are installation costs as well, including changes to ducts and pipes or venting, a new thermostat, and labour.

What size of furnace is right for my home? Your home heating contractor can answer that question for you. The contractor should perform a thorough analysis of your home, and complete a heat loss calculation. Climate Change Central notes that because they run more efficiently, your new furnace will likely be smaller (in BTU input) than your old one. One of the key reasons that it pays to shop around for a heating contractor is to gauge what the contractors say about your heating requirements. It is common for larger than necessary high-efficiency furnaces to be installed. Get a few written quotes to ensure you are paying for only what you need.

How do I know the efficiency rating of the furnace? Look for the Energy Star label on the packaging or promotional material of the furnace. The EnerGuide label - on the back of the manufacturer’s brochure – will tell you the actual efficiency rating of the furnace. The higher the rating, the better the efficiency. Ratings are based on Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE). To qualify as high-efficiency, the furnace should have a rating of at least 90%. Some newer gas condensing furnaces even have ratings of 97%.

How do I select a heating contractor? Calgary, like any city, has several heating contractors ready to serve you. The best advice is to look around. Find out if the contractor offers free estimates. Ensure you get a detailed, written quote that lists all of the expenses associated with the purchase and installation of the furnace. Ask whether the contractor will complete a home assessment to determine your heating needs. Ask about the warranty for parts and labour. Lastly, you should ask about their experience with high-efficiency furnaces and obtain a list of references. Make sure you are satisfied with the answers to these questions and the projected costs before proceeding.

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