What to Expect to Pay for new Furnace

Many people purchase their very first furnace and air conditioner without even knowing about it. Usually when they buy their home, the HVAC system is already installed. Even when people purchase their next HVAC system they often open the contact book and call the foremost HVAC contractor mentioned on the list. This strategy will help to keep the house warm but can lead to spending an amount which is more than necessary.

There are many ways by which one can minimize the cost of buying and installing a new furnace-air conditioner. First contact several HVAC contractors to request a bid. Keep in mind that the decision an individual makes should not just depend upon the cost of the equipment alone. Choose a reputable contractor as it is very important in identifying the overall price and satisfaction. Various private and public entities provides financing and rebate incentives for buying a new HVAC system.

One of the best ways to raise the value of the house is by upgrading the home with new furnace-air conditioner. One of the great reasons for updating is to conserve energy. Preserving the energy which is used each month can substantially help to lower the utility bills. Helping to save the homeowner money on utility bills and enhancing the upfront market value of the house are just two of the benefits of installing a new HVAC system.

Many houses presently have older HVAC systems that use a refrigerant known as R22 refrigeration and this is used to chill out the air passing in the room. R22 is known for depleting the ozone layer. In order to ban all R22 refrigerants from further depleting the ozone, the government passed new laws which were made mandatory for all the new air conditioners that were being installed to use only a new refrigerant named R-410A. This R-410A refrigerant is costlier but is effective in not harming the ozone.

Houses are generally operating at around a 70-80% rate of efficiency which implies that 70-80% of the energy is used to run the furnace in the house and the rest 20-30% is wasted. At present times most of the furnaces that are being installed are 90% better or more efficient which implies that 90% of the energy is consumed, which in turn can help to save large amount of money over the entire lifetime of the home furnace due to less waste.

Furnace Room Maintenance Tips

By Catherine T Wilson
The furnace room, or room where the furnace is located, is typically low on a homeowner's maintenance list. Many times, the room is located in the cellar and rarely used. However, in order to keep your furnace operating properly, you will need to regularly clean and maintain the room where the furnace is located to ensure your heating and cooling equipment run efficiently.

 There are several reasons for this. First of all, cleanliness will reduce the risk of a fire. Secondly, a clean furnace room will make it easier to fix the furnace if repairs should be necessary.
The good news is that keeping your furnace room clean and clutter free is not a lot of work in the long run. Of course, if you have used your furnace room as a storage area, it may take some time to clean the area and make sure that it is safe.

Here is a simple list of things that should be done to keep your furnace room clean in order to minimize the risk of fire and to keep your family safe.

1. Do not place your cat's litter box near the furnace. The ammonia from the cat's urine can actually corrode parts of the furnace. In addition, the smells from the litter box can get caught up in the vent system and circulate through your home.
2. Never store flammable products like gasoline, pool chemicals, kerosene or paint thinners any where near the furnace. These items can easily cause a dangerous fire.
3. Do keep the area clean. Don't leave your old dusty furnace filters or broken furnace parts lying around the furnace room. Not only does this clutter up the area, but it can also create a fire hazard.