If you need to upgrade your furnace, or if you find yourself in a repair or replace dilemma, there are a few tips to follow before deciding to upgrade your heating system. By working with a professional HVAC contractor, you can be confident your investment is well spent, even if you’re crunched for time to find a heating solution.

Home Efficiency Matters

The performance and efficiency of your new heating system depends on the efficiency of your home. Issues with heat gain/loss through air leaks and poor insulation can contribute to higher energy bills and great pressure on the HVAC system. An HVAC professional can pinpoint areas in your home that need attention, such as leaky windows, ducts and heat loss in the attic. Fortunately, home-efficiency upgrades are a long-lasting and reasonable investment.

Choosing the Right Contractor

Perhaps the most important decision to make before upgrading a heating system is selected the right HVAC contractor. To be sure, you want to hire a contractor with experience and the credentials required to be of maximum service to the heating needs of your home and occupants. Look for contractors that employ NATE-certified technicians and carry up-to-date insurance, bonding and licensing.

System Sizing and Selection

A qualified contractor takes accurate load measurements in order to correctly size a new heating system. Installing a new furnace based on the size of the replaced model isn’t a wise practice, since the old system may have been improperly sized or your home’s load could have changed over the years. Here are some basic guidelines for heating system upgrades:

• Perform suggested air sealing and insulation additions. Efficiency upgrades may also include window treatments and practical upgrades, such as switching to a programmable thermostat.
• The contractor performs a heat load calculation to determine the home’s exact heating load.
• The contractor discusses add-on equipment, such as a zoning system, that enhances home comfort and saves energy.
• The new heating system is correctly sized and installed to HVAC-industry best practices.

To learn more about what to do before upgrading a heating system in your Greater Kansas City home, please Overland Park Heating & Cooling, Inc. today.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Overland Park, Kansas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). 

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