Buying a new furnace can be frustrating and often comes up when you’re least prepared for it. When that time comes, you may feel flustered and rushed to purchase the first furnace you see. However, not all devices are created equal, and there are a lot of things you should consider before buying a new furnace.

Our team at Energy Masters has compiled a list of the most important factors you should consider before buying a new furnace to ensure it is the best fit for your home, your family, and your lifestyle. If it is time for you to buy a new furnace and you aren’t sure what to look for, this advice should make the buying process much easier. 

1. The Efficiency Of A New Furnace

When buying a new furnace, one of the biggest benefits is the increase in efficiency. Older furnace models are far less energy-efficient, so buying a new one will save you a substantial amount on your energy bill. However, the higher the efficiency of a furnace, the more it will cost upfront. 

If you are buying a new furnace and want the most energy-efficient device in your home, you should prepare for this cost. While this higher upfront cost may put you off, it is important to remember that you will save more money long-term. 

2. Installation Costs 

Buying a new furnace is already a rather expensive investment for some homeowners. Once you’ve found the perfect furnace model for your home, you need to consider whether the installation cost is included in the price you are paying or if you need to pay an additional cost for installation. 

The cost of installation will vary depending on the furnace model you choose, with gas furnaces being more expensive to install than electric furnaces. Be prepared for this installation cost when you go into the purchasing process. By preparing ahead of time, you won’t be too surprised if you have to pay extra for installation. 

3. The Size

It is incredibly important to consider size when buying a new furnace, as not all furnace sizes are a good option for your home. Getting a furnace that is too big may cause it to run too often, putting more strain on the device. However, a furnace that is too small will struggle to warm your home adequately. 

Choosing an appropriate size for your home may be difficult, so we recommend you consider calling a professional for help. They can determine if your old furnace was the appropriate size for your home or if a different size would be better suited for your space. 

4. Its Expected Lifespan

Before buying a new furnace, you should research to determine the expected lifespan of the device. Many new furnaces have a lifespan of 15 years or more. However, if you remember to schedule regular maintenance, you might notice your furnace lasting much longer than this lifespan.

If you are buying a new furnace, look for a newer model. These newer models come with the most up-to-date technology and have a longer expected lifespan than older models. However, it is important to remember that your furnace may wear out faster based on your usage. 

5. Whether There Are Add-Ons

When you are buying a new furnace, you should consider the add-ons that new devices might come with. If your old device didn’t come with features like a programmable thermostat, you might want to consider finding a new model that comes with one.

Having features like a programmable thermostat will help save you money. You may also be able to get add-ons that are accessible from your phone, which means you can adjust the temperature in your home even when you aren’t there.

6. If Your Old System Just Needs A Tune-Up

Sometimes buying a new furnace isn’t the answer to your problems. If your furnace is only a couple of years old, replacing it instead of getting a tune-up is a much less cost-efficient solution, so you should consider the age of your furnace before jumping to a more costly purchase.

You should schedule furnace maintenance at least once a year. However, your local HVAC company may have a recommended maintenance schedule that is better suited for your location. If you are following this maintenance schedule closely, you shouldn’t have to replace your furnace until it’s over a decade old. 

When you are buying a new furnace, you should consider the add-ons that new devices might come with. If your old device didn’t come with features like a programmable thermostat, you might want to consider finding a new model that comes with one.

Having features like a programmable thermostat will help save you money. You may also be able to get add-ons that are accessible from your phone, which means you can adjust the temperature in your home even when you aren’t there. 

7. If It Comes With A Warranty

Many furnaces come with a warranty, varying in length between 10 and 20 years. However, not all warranties are created equal. When you are buying a new furnace, it is important to double-check whether the warranty associated with this furnace is the best fit for you and your lifestyle. Your new furnace warranty will likely come with a 10-year limited parts warranty.

However, what you need is a 20-year heat exchanger warranty. The heat exchanger is the heart of your furnace and is much more expensive to replace than any other parts. A warranty covering a heat exchanger replacement will save you a great deal down the line. 

Buying A New Furnace? Don’t Forget To Schedule Your Maintenance

When you buy a new furnace, you may be required to schedule regular maintenance on it to prevent voiding the warranty. But, with so many HVAC professionals to choose from, it is hard to know who to trust. At Energy Masters, our team of expertly trained professionals is ready to handle any HVAC maintenance or problems you may experience. We’re confident that we can complete your HVAC projects in a timely manner, leaving you to enjoy your warm home and your new furnace. 

If you just bought a new furnace and would like to set up a maintenance schedule or would like to speak with a member of our team about the other services we provide, reach out to us today!

While you may love the cooler weather that comes with the winter months, you probably don’t want this cold weather to affect the inside of your house. However, try as we might, cold weather finds a way to creep inside and may bring down the temperature in your home.

Thankfully, there are several things you can do to keep your home warm this winter. Our Energy Masters team has several tips that you should consider that will help you stay warm in your home all winter long. If your home has recently been a little colder than normal, consider following the tips below. 

1. Keep Your Vents Clear And Open

Turning on your home’s heater will do very little to keep you warm if your vents are blocked or closed. To keep your home warm this winter, ensure that your vents aren’t being covered by any furniture. You should also make sure they aren’t closed more than 75%. This should allow warm air to travel freely throughout your home. In addition to keeping your home warm, it protects your HVAC system from static pressure buildup that may cause premature breakdown. 

2. Install A Programmable Thermostat

If you want to keep your home warm this winter, consider investing in a programmable thermostat. With a programmable thermostat, you can set your HVAC to ensure it is running at your desired temperature throughout the day. When you come home at the end of the day, you’ll know your space is just as warm as you’d like. Additionally, you can set your thermostat to be fractionally cooler when you’re not home, saving you money on your heating bill. 

If you want to learn more about saving money on your heating bill this winter, check out this blog from September.

3. Light Your Fireplace

An easy way to keep your home warm this winter is by lighting a fire in your fireplace. However, this comes with a couple of caveats. If you aren’t using your fireplace, it is important that you remember to close the flue, or cold air may sneak into your home. Additionally, to practice proper fireplace safety, you should only light a fireplace if you’re going to be in the room to ensure no embers jump out and catch on the furniture in your room. As long as you are using your fireplace safely, it is a wonderful way to ensure your home is warm all winter long.

4. Let Sunlight In On Sunny Days

Sunny days in the winter months may be few and far between. However, when the sun does peak out and the days are a little warmer, open your curtains and let the sunshine in. Taking advantage of these warmer days will help you warm your home without having to rely on your HVAC system. While it won’t warm your home up substantially, it will help push the temperature up just a bit. At the end of these sunny days, though, don’t forget to pull your curtains shut to keep all of this warmth locked in. 

5. Double-check Door And Window Seals

It is amazing how much warm air can escape through small gaps in the seals of your windows and doors. While it might start small, these cracks may lead to cold spots in your home and an increase in your electricity bills. Before the winter months, you should double-check the seals on your windows and doors to ensure they’re airtight. This gives you a chance to replace the seals before the winter months begin, keeping your home toasty through the colder winter months and cutting down on high energy bills. 

6. Bake Some Winter Treats

While it might not seem like it, baking treats in your oven is a great way to keep your home warm in the winter. When you’re done baking, turn off your oven and leave the door cracked just slightly. The hot air from inside your oven will seep into your kitchen, keeping the space warm. You should, however, be mindful when doing this with children and small pets in the home, and only leave the oven door open when you are present and they are kept far away to prevent potential burns. 

7. Schedule HVAC Maintenance

It is difficult to keep your home warm in the winter if your home’s HVAC system is malfunctioning, and when it’s cold, the last thing you’ll want to deal with is a long wait for a professional to come to do repairs. To prevent this and keep your home warm all winter long, you should schedule HVAC maintenance in the fall. This appointment should give your HVAC professional a chance to catch any problems with your system and allow them to make the necessary repairs before the cold air gets into your home. 

Keep Your Home Warm With Energy Masters 

Scheduling HVAC maintenance before the winter months begin is essential to keep your home warm through the coldest months of the year, and you certainly don’t want to wait to get this appointment scheduled. Our team at Energy Masters has years of experience, and we’re confident that we can keep your HVAC system running at peak efficiency to keep your home warm all winter long.

If you’re interested in scheduling an HVAC maintenance appointment before winter or would like to speak to a member of our team about the other services we provide, contact us today.

Sometimes, you let HVAC maintenance sit on the back burner until we notice more substantial problems with the system. However, it is important to schedule HVAC maintenance to ensure the system is running most efficiently. Maintenance is an essential part of having a well-functioning system. But when is the best time to schedule HVAC maintenance?

Our team at Energy Masters wants you to understand why maintaining your home’s HVAC system is so important and when you should consider scheduling. 

Why Is HVAC Maintenance Important?

Maintaining your home’s HVAC system is essential for several reasons. Much like with other electronic devices, maintenance is important for extending its lifespan. Without proper maintenance, you may notice it breaks down more regularly, and the problems may become more substantial as it ages. 

The manufacturer of your HVAC system may also require regular maintenance in order to keep its warranty. If you don’t follow through with maintenance and notice problems with the system, your warranty may be voided, and you will have to pay for repairs out of pocket. When you schedule HVAC maintenance, you also ensure better air quality in your home and create a more comfortable living environment. 

When Should You Schedule HVAC Maintenance?

It is recommended that you schedule HVAC maintenance at least twice a year. You should try to schedule HVAC maintenance prior to its peak use. While you will need to take your local climate into consideration to determine the best time to schedule, you should schedule HVAC maintenance for the fall prior to greater heater use. It is best to schedule your fall maintenance appointment in September or October.

You should schedule your HVAC maintenance in the spring prior to greater air conditioning use. The best time to schedule this spring maintenance is in March or April. You will need to consider the peak season for your HVAC professionals as well. While spring and fall are the best time to schedule HVAC maintenance, your professionals will likely be very busy during these times of year. You may want to consider scheduling early in the season to avoid long wait times. 

Can You Perform Maintenance Yourself?

There are some aspects of HVAC maintenance that you can perform yourself. The easiest at-home maintenance you can do is regularly changing your air filter. Air filters should be changed every 90 days to ensure proper airflow through the system. You may find yourself changing it more frequently if you have extreme allergies or a high presence of pet dander in your home. 

You may also clean the outside of the system if it becomes dirty and regularly check your thermostat to ensure it is reaching optimal temperatures. However, many other maintenance tasks should only be performed by trained and licensed professionals. If you don’t leave these tasks to the professionals, the problem may be exasperated, and you will find yourself paying far more for repairs. 

How Do You Prepare For HVAC Maintenance?

Once you schedule HVAC maintenance, you may want to prepare your home for the appointment. There is not much that you need to do prior to this appointment, but there are a few things you can do to make this appointment smoother for yourself and the professional. First, you should ensure the space around your home’s HVAC system is clear of any personal belongings or debris so the professionals can adequately reach it. 

The other thing you may want to do to prepare for your HVAC maintenance appointment is to pay attention to any changes in your system. If you hear any uncommon noises or notice the system is running differently than normal, this may be a sign that you have a problem. When your professional arrives, inform them of any problems you have noticed so they are aware of the state of the system. 

Finally, ensure pets and children are occupied while your professional performs maintenance. This ensures your professional isn’t disrupted and can complete the maintenance as quickly as possible. From there, you may leave the rest to the professionals. If they have any needs or requests, they will let you know during your appointment. 

Schedule HVAC Maintenance With Energy Masters 

It is essential that you find a trustworthy HVAC professional near you to perform regular maintenance on your home’s system. At Energy Masters, our licensed and trained professionals are confident that they can help you through any problems you have and are ready to perform maintenance to keep your HVAC system running as smoothly as possible.

If you are looking for an HVAC professional in the Greenville, SC, area to care for your home’s HVAC system or would like to speak to a member of our team, reach out to us today.