Having reliable and affordable heating is essential, especially for those who live in Alaska. If your furnace is keeping you warm while keeping the monthly bills high, though, it's time to start thinking about calling the professionals for a new heating installation. Anchorage, AK, residents choose Muotka Mechanical for top-notch residential and commercial HVAC services, and they have some advice for anyone considering a furnace upgrade. The number of options for energy-efficient furnaces is staggering, but these tips will help you find the best fit for you and your budget.

3 Tips For Switching To An Energy-Efficient Heating Installation

1. Save Money & Switch Early

So, you've determined your furnace's age, and it's not quite old enough to be considered obsolete. While that's good news, it doesn't mean you won't see any benefits from switching to a high-efficiency heating installation sooner than necessary. An efficient furnace makes a big enough difference in monthly energy bills to make an early switch worth considering. If you plan on staying in your current location, a new furnace will significantly improve your comfort and savings throughout the year. 

2. Pay Attention To Efficiency Ratings

The minimum AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) rating is 80%, and it goes all the way up to 98.5%. Sealed combustion maximizes heat from fuel, so the highest rating means 98.5% of the unit's fuel is converted into heat. While common sense suggests the highest efficiency rating is best, it's also going to be the most expensive. Before you splurge, you'll want to take your own environment into account. Those in mild winter climates won't necessarily benefit from a high-efficiency unit, so just go for the best energy rating within your furnace installation budget. On the other hand, Alaskans will likely want to weigh the pros and cons of going for the highest percentage possible. 

3. Consider The Extra Features

When taking the value of your new heating installation into account, consider the additional features each unit brings to the table. There have been many advancements over the years that further boost efficiency, such as systems that automatically adjust their speed to match the heating requirements. Other examples include units that use a stainless-steel secondary heat exchanger to capture maximum heat, and models with a condensing gas furnace that automatically adjusts the furnace output. 

Switching from an out-of-date furnace to a modern unit with a high efficiency rating brings numerous advantages, and with the right furnace service and repair company on your side, you'll be set for the foreseeable future. Let the heating contractors at Muotka Mechanical take care of all the heavy lifting for you, from the installation to regular maintenance. Visit them online for more information, and call them at (907) 344-8825 to discuss heating installation options today.