Do you live in a historic New Jersey home? Upgrading to a new furnace and HVAC system from your original unit can make a big difference in the efficiency of your home and save you big on utility bills. Heating Specialties’ experts can help you choose the right furnace to fit your historic home’s needs!
Options for your new furnace
Your first step in updating your home’s heating system is choosing which type of furnace you want. Like most choices, there are pros and cons to each. Here in New Jersey, many homeowners opt for a gas furnace. These tend to be cheaper to maintain and have higher efficiency ratings, but they can be approximately 10%-25% more expensive to install than their oil counterparts.
Electric furnaces may have higher heating bills, but they also last longer than other systems. Oil furnaces are often cheaper upfront for installation, but they’re less efficient, and oil prices fluctuate wildly. No matter your family’s needs, speaking with the experts at Heating Specialties can help you decide the best option for your situation.
Upgrade your efficiency
Furnace efficiency has come a long way over the past several decades, growing from a conversion rate of roughly 60% of fuel to heat to upwards of 90%. Go with a high-efficiency furnace for up to 90% energy efficiency for the most bang for your efficiency buck. Mid-efficiency will offer 80%-90% efficiency, and conventional furnaces usually provide about 75%-80% energy efficiency. If you’re still using a decades-old furnace in your historic home, you’re sure to notice a big difference in your utility bills when you upgrade.
Inspect the current ductwork
When you update the furnace in your historic home, be sure to work with an HVAC technician to inspect the ductwork as well. If your ductwork is as old as your home, it may be in poor shape, too, and will defeat the purpose of a brand-new furnace. Some duct systems may need only a few repairs, while others may be replaced entirely. Some historic homes may also use a chimney to vent your furnace but following the regulations to keep this option up to code can be costly.
Consider any historic home regulations
Some historic homes fall under the protection of government agencies as local landmarks. If your home is one of them, you likely need to contact city authorities and submit your work plans for approval. And as a bonus, you may be eligible for a tax break for maintaining the integrity of your historic home! It is most important to meet current safety standards when upgrading the furnace in a historic home, and our highly skilled Heating Specialties technicians are always knowledgeable on the latest in HVAC safety.
If you are ready to purchase a new furnace for your historic home, contact Heating Specialties today at (866) 923-2653 or schedule a consultation online to discuss your specific needs.