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Buying a new furnace is one of the best investments you can make
to improve your homes energy efficiency. Before making this
investment though you should look at other options that would help
ensure the new or existing furnace is sized properly and operates
at peak efficiencies.
Simple cost-effective options for helping your furnace operate at
peak efficiency include caulking, sealing or adding insulation to
reduce air loss. Older furnaces in Alberta operate at seasonal
efficiencies of no more than 70 per cent. Newer high-efficient
models can operate at efficiencies of up to 97 per cent, offering
a reduction of up to 28 per cent in annual space-heating
consumption. This equals big dollar savings on your heating bill!
Furnaces need to match the BTU output and although furnaces are
now built to operate more efficiently, a greatly oversized system
(>15%) will not reach its efficiency levels. To ensure that your
system will be sized properly, choose a contractor that will
perform a heat-loss analysis that takes into account the
following: age of the home; area of heated space; area, size and
energy efficiency of windows, and; depth of insulation in attic,
walls and basement.
It is also wise to obtain a minimum of three free estimates from
qualified contractors. During the estimate stage, ask the
contractor:
What models and manufacturers of furnaces do they offer?
How familiar are they with local heating codes relating to
high-efficient model furnaces?
Will they provide a written estimate?
Do they offer a guarantee on the price and dates for the start and
completion of work?
Does the price include all product and installation costs?
What type of payment plans do they offer?
What warranties are offered on parts, labour and products?
Who honours the warranty?
Can they service and maintain the furnace after the warranties
expire?
Do they carry public liability and property damage insurance?
To help you find a qualified, licensed heating contractor ask
family, friends or neighbors for referrals. Other good sources are
local builders, building supply stores, the yellow pages and even
the Internet. Also, consider contacting your local Better Business
Bureau to see if there have been any complaints recorded against
the contractor. It is good practice to complete background checks
before signing a contract and beginning the work and to ask for
references.
Finally, be wary of estimates that are well below the others. A
contractor may be cutting corners in ways that compromise the
safety of the system and its overall effectiveness.
For more information on hiring a contractor, contact Canada
Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) at 1-800-668-2642 or visit
their website at
www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca. |
