Shopping for the best furnace to heat your home can be pretty overwhelming. There is a list of things to consider and a lot of homeowner homework. A certain level of pressure is present, too. The goal is to find a unit that allows the same comfort level during hot summer days and long, cold winter months. You will have to know how big your home is, how much space you have to house a furnace and which furnace will work best with your existing HVAC system. And that is just to start!
The right furnace for your home must be selected to keep family members happy with the ambient temperature throughout changing seasons. It’s important to note that homeowners’ most considerable expense in Colorado is heating their homes. Choosing the right home furnace can help save energy consumption costs. Researching and answering some of those hard-hitting questions will lead you in the right direction.
Your location in the country will play a role in determining which type of furnace will be best for your home and budget. Today, we will focus on Denver, Colorado, and decide which furnaces are best for this area. After reading, you will learn when it’s time to consider an upgrade or go shopping for a new home furnace.
Table of Contents:
- Most Common Furnaces Found in Colorado Homes
- Best Types of Furnaces to Install in Your Home
- When to Upgrade Your Home Furnace
- Professional Furnace Installation in Denver, CO
Most Common Furnaces Found in Colorado Homes
Historically, when it came to household heating, Colorado and its residents didn’t follow the trend. In the 1940s, most Americans used wood and coal. Wood wasn’t a viable resource for heating homes in Colorado, so Coloradoans relied on coke and coal. Coke is very similar to coal in its appearance. Some brief differences are that coke does not produce as much smoke as coal, but it does create more heat. Electricity was hardly ever used as a heating source and would remain unpopular for another 30-40 years. Over time oil became a less popular heating source option in Colorado.
Time has moved along, and Americans have begun to predominantly utilize natural gas furnaces while the other types trail behind. Since 2000, more Americans have switched to using electric furnaces. About a third of all American homes use electricity as their heat source. In contrast, in Colorado, residents use about half of that third. From the 40s to the present day, natural gas usage to heat homes went up to 75 percent for Colorado residents. Furnaces aren’t the only devices used to heat a home.
Another popular source for heating Colorado homes is heat pumps. Heat pumps are new to the world of heating homes and technically are not furnaces by design. The two systems function differently to accomplish the same goal. Heat pumps use electricity to create energy. Heat pumps are more versatile with the capability of heating and cooling the home, while furnaces are solely heating apparatuses. If your house isn’t equipped with a gas line, the decision between the two is ultimately a no-brainer. There’s always a way to try by asking the utility company servicing your home and inquiring about the possibility.
In summation, the leading heating sources for Coloradoans are natural gas furnaces, heat pumps, and electric furnaces. Of course, some residents may find other types of furnaces more suitable for their homes. As a homeowner, the best advice is to do your homework and select the best option for your specific home. Experts always recommended to have an HVAC professional asses your home and guide you through your choices for a new furnace installation. Homeowners in Denver, Colorado, can reach out to Quality Home HVAC for all things furnace.
Best Types of Furnaces to Install in Your Home
Natural Gas Furnaces
Natural gas furnaces are the most widely used across the country, accounting for about 48% of all usage for heating. Due to the recent decrease in the price of natural gas, it’s pretty inexpensive to operate a natural gas furnace. Natural gas is also a cleaner resource than coal which is still predominantly used to power electricity.
Natural gas furnaces propel jets of gas onto a burner and produce a flame. The flame’s heat is used to raise the ambient temperature. This type of heat is hotter than heat generated by electricity. As a result, natural gas furnaces can heat homes much faster. This also means it’s not taking as much energy, and ultimately money, to do its job of heating the home. This type of furnace, with care, will last a homeowner up to two decades on average.
It also requires less energy to circulate the air around the home, which makes natural gas furnaces extremely efficient. The efficiency of natural gas furnaces is challenging for any other contender to compete with, standing at a 98% efficiency level for newer models. That’s nearly perfect! There’s a reason it’s been the most popular source of heat for homes since its existence.
Electric Furnaces
Electric heating caught popularity quickly and is now on the tail of natural gas, standing at about 37% of usage for heating. The U.S. Energy Information Administration’s collected data that showed electricity was the primary heat source for the southeast area of the U.S, with natural gas coming in second place. This could potentially result from the southeast region experiencing warmer winters than other places in the county. The use of natural gas has been slowly declining, and people are going directly to electricity. The EIA theorizes this to result from newer homes being built better and with new and efficient HVAC units that run on electricity.
In Denver, Colorado, electricity is among the cheapest in the U.S. Keep in mind that the price is not equivalent to the cost. The cost of electricity is based on the consumption of the home in total, and the bill from utility companies reflects that. Electric may seem appealing because the upfront costs are lower than their counterparts. However, monthly operating costs will be more expensive in the long run with other options.
Heat Pumps
Heat pumps are a new contender to the home heating experience. Unlike their peers, heat pumps do not use heat to get the job done. They simply transfer air. Heat pumps push hot air inside to keep homes warm and send cold air out. In the summer, the opposite occurs where hot air is forced out, and cool air is invited in. Heat pumps are also more compact in size, which is vital to consider when selecting a unit for furnace installation. The dimensions of your home and the space you have to store the furnace are a large part of the decision.
Costs may be cheaper by selecting a heat pump because they have the duality of cooling the air, unlike its competition. Furnaces only have heating capabilities and require other air conditioning machines. However, the catch with this is the shortened lifespan of heat pumps because they run all year round. While furnaces only are powered for about half of the year.
Dual Fuel System Furnaces
Dual fuel system furnaces are a viable option if you have access to natural gas and electricity in your home. Heat pumps can be utilized most of the year, where cooling and mild heating are needed because they function best at temperatures above freezing. Heat pumps actually act like air conditioners, using electricity. For long and brutally cold winter months, the efficiency of natural gas furnaces will come into play. These units are great if you do not currently have an air conditioning system and an existing natural gas furnace. Otherwise, the installation can get pretty expensive. The duality of using two different devices offers operational cost savings.
When to Upgrade Your Home Furnace
Universally, all furnaces and HVAC units will generally function best when routinely maintained and cleaned. No matter which heating apparatus you have, it’s essential to take good care of it, and it could last you up to two decades.
Upgrading your furnace may need consideration if your unit is more than 10-15 years old. In recent years, the efficiency of furnaces around the board has increased with technological advances. Suppose your furnace is close to 20 years old. In that case, it may be in your best interest to make the investment and schedule a furnace installation to avoid issues and maximize comfort. Depending on the furnace you select, you may also be surprised about monthly cost savings.
If you experience banging, grinding, or screeching noises from your unit, power it down and contact a professional as soon as possible. That’s the most apparent sign of repair. Dirt and dust can clog the system over time, so regular, preventative maintenance is a must for longevity. More minor issues will be avoided, and your unit will serve you well for a long time.
Professional Furnace Installation in Denver, CO
Quality Home HVAC has been servicing Denver, Colorado, and the surrounding areas for over many years. Look no further if you seek trusted HVAC professionals for your new furnace installation. Let our family-owned HVAC professionals take care of your family.
Call Quality Home HVAC today at (970) 447-4151!
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