(NC)-Heating represents 40-60 percent of your energy bill,
which makes your furnace a good place to look for savings.
Reducing energy consumption will save you money and you can do
it without having to shiver through winter.
As cooler weather approaches, it's a good time to assess the
efficiency of your home heating system and to decide if the
fuel you use gives you the best value. Weather stripping and
better insulation will help, but it may be time to upgrade or
replace your furnace or switch to the most economical fuel.
Natural gas is a preferred fuel choice for several reasons,
including price, air quality and environmental benefits.
Natural gas is less expensive than other fuels like oil or
electric, but not all natural gas furnaces are equal when it
comes to energy efficiency. If your furnace is 15-20 years old,
it is generally only 55-60 percent efficient which means you
are only using 55-60 percent of every heating dollar you spend
to heat your home.
Compare that to a high-efficiency Energy Star qualified furnace
that has an AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) rating of
97 percent, where 97 percent goes into heating your home and
only three percent is lost. Think what a difference that makes
to your heating costs. High-efficiency furnaces cost more
initially but since they provide the least expensive operating
costs, they pay for themselves over time. Most furnaces have a
life span of 20 years. Based on July 2006 rates, natural gas
furnaces are approximately 50 percent less expensive than oil,
electric or propane.
The most important step you need to take in selecting a furnace
is to call at least three Heating, Ventilating and
Air-Conditioning (HVAC) contractors to come to your home and
make furnace recommendations. Ask about purchase or renting
options too.
Visit uniongas.com/ngproducts for tips on questions to ask
contractors when they give you a quote. The Union Gas website
also provides a list of retailers and locations to assist you
in purchasing your new natural gas furnace.
