Furnace: Repairs & Replacement Options

AirNow Has Been Servicing Homes In Montgomery, Prattville, Millbrook, Tallassee & Wetumpka Since 1991.

Think about a furnace – what do you envision? Most people think of the old image of a furnace – big and noisy – rather than the way most modern furnaces actually are – smaller and highly efficient.

It’s a fact that today’s new furnaces can save homeowners up to 50 percent more in operating costs over a furnace that is 10 or more years old. That’s because today’s furnaces boast much higher Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency ratings (AFUE). Many older furnaces – those built prior to 1990 – have AFUE ratings of 65 percent or less. Today’s furnaces? Minimum AFUE of 80 percent. Obviously a BIG improvement.

Types Of Furnaces

If you’re in the market for a new furnace you have several options, including:

Steam or hot water furnaces

Steam or hot water furnaces supply steam or hot water through a radiator, heating coils, pipes and other means in order to heat a home.

Central or warm-air furnaces

Central or warm-air furnaces use oil, gas or electricity. These are typically housed in a central location (a basement, for example). They use ducts to distribute air throughout the home. Central or warm air furnaces usually rely on forced air or gravity to circulate air. In the latter case, cold air descends through ducts and into the furnace; the furnace heats the air and sends it through the home.