Furnace buying guide for luxury homes this winter

You invest time and money in building your luxury abode with personalized amenities, lavish interiors, and unique artifacts. Then it becomes your own personal retreat where you may unwind and recharge with family and friends.

However, installing a home furnace to make it weather friendly for a comfortable stay during winters to keep it centrally warm is a must for every homeowner. 

In the presence of several available options in the market offering different features, it is advisable to consider the following recommendations to give you a better idea of the critical factors that impact your future comfort.

This will outline the necessary aspects you should be aware of before making a buying decision.

Decide on the type 

Many best furnace brands offer four types of furnaces that you can opt for based on your requirement.

* Electric furnaces are less expensive, have low maintenance costs, don’t emit carbon monoxide, and are easy to install. 

But since they need electricity while in use results in high operational costs. 

* Natural gas furnaces cost more to install than an electric furnace. But this extra price can be justified by its unique feature of cheap operational cost and more power when in use.

However,  it will be more economical in the presence of a source of natural gas in the vicinity. 

*Oil furnace operating mechanism is the same as natural gas. The only difference is that oil is used as a fuel. Therefore, they heat the space faster as compared to other types of furnaces.

Do consider the fact that you need an oil furnace buried near your home before you install them.

*Propane furnaces need less fuel to operate and are more efficient than other furnaces that run on gas or oil. 

Features of a furnace

Apart from the type of fuel, there are three types of furnaces. Single-mode is the most basic kind, with no temperature adjustment. There is only one size flame with a setting that automatically turns it on and off.

The second mode is multifunctional, with two flame options: hot and low, depending on how cold the outside temperature is.

The third model allows the user to modulate the temperature to the suitable precision as per their comfort level, and this is the most expensive of the three. 

It would be best to choose as per the usage, budget, need, and space. 

Check the ratings

The parameter that estimates the furnace’s operation cost is the standardized rating of AFUE (annualized fuel usage efficiency). An AFUE of 90 is optimal and demonstrates cost-effectiveness.

The greater the rating, however, the more expensive the furnace.

Additional equipment and maintenance cost 

Apart from the furnace cost, there are other expenses on the supporting pieces of equipment and infrastructure. 

* To avoid any problems with the furnace’s heating system, you should consult an HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) professional who can assist you in installing the ducting according to the predetermined standard.

 The technician will also help find any blockages or damages that need to be repaired or replaced. 

* All venting systems require a certain amount of maintenance. Buying replacement vents is a relatively simple process if you consider the basics. The thing to keep in mind is that this part of your home heating system will get perhaps one of the harshest weather treatments of all.

It would help if you replaced or adjusted your furnace vents according to the manufacturer’s directions at least once a year.

And if you have an oil or propane furnace, you need to supplement the vents outdoors with oxygen-scavenging carbon monoxide detectors.