Steps for Selecting the Right Heating System

by Kevin Smith Author

When planning to replace the heating system in your residences, a little foresight can help you avoid costly, inconvenient breakdowns of your home heating system. There’s nothing like coming home to a frigid house because your heater finally broke down, as it’s inconvenient and uncomfortable to be without this important household system in the dead of winter.

If you know your current heating system is approaching the limits of its operational life, it may be time to consider heating installation in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. Before you make that huge investment in your home, there are some factors to consider that will help you make sure to pick the right system for your space.

Contact Your HVAC Pro

It’s always a good idea to start any large installation project with a visit from your trusted HVAC service provider. A professional can evaluate your current unit and let you know how much time you have before you need to replace it. An HVAC tech can also help you start your selection process by determining the efficiency of your current unit. That will give you important baseline data that will be useful in determining which new units will meet your heating needs in the future.

Consider AFUE Ratings

Another important number to have in hand when shopping for a new heating system is a particular unit’s Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency, or AFUE. This number is important in determining how much you’ll be spending to operate the unit throughout the year. Systems with higher AFUE ratings are more efficient. Once you have that number, you can visit one of many online cost calculators that will help you figure your expected expense for running the unit, and how much money you’ll save over time by purchasing a system with a high AFUE.

Size Matters

Even the most efficient unit won’t operate optimally if it is not appropriately sized for the space you need to heat. Consult with an HVAC expert to determine the thermal rating of your home, and what size of heater is appropriate for your residence. Accurately choosing the right sized heating system will pay dividends in the long run with decreased cost of operation.

Pay Attention to Details

If you have poor insulation, ducts that leak, or cracks around your windows and doors, all that homework you did on unit efficiency will be wasted because you’ll be unable to maximize your heater’s potential. To get the most out of your heating system, you need to make sure that your home is energy efficient by sealing cracks, adequately insulating attics and crawl spaces, and having ductwork examined for leakage by an HVAC professional.

Before beginning heating installation in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, do a little research to make sure that you are selecting a heating system that will help you maximize efficiency while minimizing cost of operation. A little planning goes a long way towards insuring you’ll be pleased with the system you select for years to come.