Electric Heating Systems

The way that your HVAC system operates is your home is quite fascinating if you've never really taken the time to understand it. Furnaces produce heat through combustion of natural gas within the burner. The heat that is produced is transferred to a heat exchanger, which warms the air as it is forced through your ducts. The cooling process is much the same but uses a coil in the process to cool the air. While this is the general principle, other factors in heating and cooling systems set them apart from one other.

When it comes to furnaces, ensure you check three critical points. Point one is the energy efficiency of the furnace. Energy efficiency is measured by its Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency, or its AFUE. If a system is operating at say 80% AFUE this means that for every dollar spent operating the system, 80 cents is going to actual heat generation. 80% AFUE units are pretty standard. Old furnaces used to operate at more like 60% AFUE. There are systems on the market now that can operate at 95% AFUE or higher. Amana has a line that is at 96% as does Bryant Heating And Cooling Systems.

The second point to check is the reliability of the product. You want your system efficient while it is running but you also want it to last. It is helpful also to understand the maintenance schedule of any new furnace you are considering purchasing. And keep in mind the possible repair costs. Rheem is a company that has good reviews for the longevity of their furnaces. Check other company customer reviews to gain further insight into what people are saying who are already experiencing the product you are considering.

The third critical point is air quality. Your HVAC system has the unique ability to directly affect the air quality of your home. Check if a particular brand has a process included in their systems that clean the air as it is forced through. For instance, an installed filter that catches pollutants, dust and other particles. Clean air is not only important for your breathing environment but also for the ongoing operation of your furnace.