{"id":4552,"date":"2023-12-18T11:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-12-18T16:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.a1mechanical.com\/blog\/?p=4552"},"modified":"2023-12-18T22:41:16","modified_gmt":"2023-12-19T03:41:16","slug":"how-to-choose-a-new-furnace-for-your-michigan-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.a1mechanical.com\/blog\/heating-service\/how-to-choose-a-new-furnace-for-your-michigan-home\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Choose a New Furnace for Your Michigan Home"},"content":{"rendered":"
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When it comes to heating your Lansing home, the furnace is still the top choice among homeowners here in Michigan. Although heat pumps are surging in popularity, many people still prefer to stick with the good ol\u2019 reliable furnace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s because furnaces are a tried-and-true method of heating a home. If you have your heart set on a furnace replacement<\/a>, there are still some factors to consider before choosing your next system. These factors will affect not only the initial purchase price but how much you spend to operate your furnace over the course of its lifespan. Let\u2019s explain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

 Gas or Electric<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If your home has access to natural gas, you\u2019ll need to choose between either a gas or electric furnace. There are pros and cons to both systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A gas furnace will heat your home quickly and efficiently. The speed at which it heats your home is key to its efficiency. The faster it gets your home to the desired temperature, the less energy it uses. Also, because gas is usually more inexpensive than electricity, it\u2019ll cost less to run overall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gas furnaces have safety hazards though. Although accidents are extremely rare, they can happen on occasion. Annual maintenance is essential with a gas furnace. If you tend to skip scheduling tune-ups, a gas furnace might not be the best option for you. Gas furnaces can also last slightly longer than electric furnaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Electric furnaces are less expensive to purchase and install upfront. However, they will cost more to operate, meaning you may pay more for utilities than you would with a gas furnace. An all-electric heat pump<\/a> is a good alternative for homeowners who don\u2019t have access to natural gas lines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

AFUE Rating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gas furnace owners: keep reading! Once you\u2019ve decided on a new gas furnace, the next thing you need to consider is its AFUE rating. An AFUE rating for a furnace is sort of like MPG for a car. The AFUE rating tells you how \u201cfuel efficient\u201d the furnace will be. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The minimum AFUE rating for a furnace is 80%. However, they go as high as almost 98%. Let\u2019s explain this 18% difference which might seem small at first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n