Winter is here in Plano, TX, and if your heating system is on its last legs, you might be looking at a new one before too long. Hopefully, you’re planning for a spring replacement and your existing heater will continue to function normally until then. In some cases, you might be looking at an emergency replacement when you old heater finally breaks down unexpectedly. Either way, you need to plan for your new heater properly, which means paying careful attention to at least two very important details:
Power Levels
The power of a new heater needs to be balanced. If it’s underpowered, it won’t keep your home warm, and if it’s overpowered, it will engage in short cycling: turning on and off rapidly throughout the day and wasting huge amounts of energy in the process. The power levels of a new heater should be carefully calculated based on the specifics of your home. Your existing heater is a good starting point, but changes in your home – such as the addition insulation or the installation of double-paned window – can alter the equation.
Efficiency
Efficiency should be determined after you’re settled on the right power levels in order to give you the most bang for your buck. Heaters measure their efficiency in AFUE ratings, which stands for Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. It tells you what percentage of the energy that goes into the heater actually translates to heating power. (The rest being lost to waste and inefficiency.) Look for systems with the highest AFUE rating that fits within your budget. That will ensure that you get the heating power you need without paying any more than necessary, as well as helping the components of your heater last as long as possible.
If you’re in the market for a new heating system, call the professionals at Hutchins Plumbing & Air Conditioning.
