Gas Furnaces
How to Choose the Right Furnace
Are you thinking about upgrading your furnace but not quite sure where to begin?
We understand. Furnaces are more efficient than ever, with a plethora of features designed to keep you comfortable. They come in different sizes and shapes, some more powerful than others. They also have different price points based on their efficiency ratings.
The thermostat is the brains of your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. But it’s the furnace that provides all the muscle, teaming up with your ductwork to send warm air throughout your Colorado, home.
And always remember, a happy home is a warm one! It would only take a few cold days in a row with no indoor heat for all the pipes in your home to freeze.
What matters most is to pick the right furnace that fits your budget and the size of your home. Our team at Quality West has the knowledge and expertise to help you make that choice. We’re a trusted name in Denver, CO, for creating healthy homes. Give us a call today—we can schedule a free consultation to help with your next home improvement project.
Choosing the Right Furnace by Fuel Type
Your first decision is easy: choosing the fuel type.
The most common source is natural gas. Your local utility company supplies the fuel delivered to your home through an underground gas line. The price of natural gas is relatively stable, so you don’t have to worry about cost fluctuations. Plus, you never need to worry about storage.
- If you have access to a natural gas line, we strongly recommend a gas furnace. These furnaces have proven their value over the years for providing steady comfort on the coldest of days.
- Oil furnaces are a popular alternative in the United States, particularly in parts of the Northeast that do not have easy access to natural gas. These types of furnaces last longer than a gas furnace but do not operate as efficiently. Oil prices fluctuate more than natural gas prices, making it harder to gauge your monthly expenses. Plus, you will need a storage tank for the oil.
- Electric furnaces tend to last longer than gas furnaces and cost less to install. On the other hand, they are more expensive to operate and take longer to heat your home. Anyone living in a cold climate would enjoy more comfort with a gas or oil furnace.
Choosing the Right Furnace Speed
Furnaces run at different speeds. The operating speed you choose will impact your comfort, budget, and indoor air quality (IAQ).
Single-stage furnaces have just two settings, on or off. Your furnace switches on and continues to run to reach the desired temperature. Once it reaches the temperature, the furnace turns off. Single-stage furnaces are the most affordable models and easiest to install. But they are the least efficient and tend to create hot and cold spots in larger homes.
Two-stage furnaces run at full-speed and half-speed. This allows your furnace to heat your home more evenly, producing a more consistent temperature from room to room. In addition to producing better heating, the half-speed setting is much quieter.
Variable speed furnaces are the gold standard of the heating world. These models adjust their speeds to provide precise comfort. They run longer at slower speeds, improving efficiencies while lowering your energy bills. Because they do not frequently cycle on and off, these systems tend to have fewer breakdowns.
Variable speed furnaces are much more adept in maintaining your indoor air quality, catching harmful particles, and eliminating excess moisture that causes mold growth. Larger homes benefit tremendously from variable speed furnaces.
Choosing an Efficient Furnace
The annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) rating on your furnace indicates how much energy it converts. An energy-efficient furnace with an AFUE rating of 95 can convert 95 percent of the energy it consumes into heat.
The higher the AFUE rating, the more money you save on monthly utility bills. Energy-efficient furnaces emit fewer greenhouse gases and make less noise when they operate. If you want to reduce your home’s carbon footprint, the perfect place to start is with your heating and cooling equipment!
How Much Money Can a New Furnace Save You?
Our AFUE energy savings calculator can help determine how much you could save on your utility bills. Just enter your current unit’s AFUE value and compare it to a newer, more efficient system.
AFUE Energy Savings Calculator
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Customize to Your Home
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** Data from U.S. Energy Information Administration
*** Data from 2002 EPA study
** Data for Canadian cities from nrcan.gc.ca
*** Data from weatherdatadepot.com
Furnace Installation or Replacement
Don’t invest in a quality HVAC system and then hire a substandard contractor to install it. You will never enjoy the full benefits of a system installed incorrectly.
At Quality West, we specialize in installing equipment the right way. We take our time to ensure everything is measured correctly. Our team will also conduct a thorough energy audit of your home to find additional ways to lower your energy use.
Be sure to ask about our convenient financing options designed to make it easy for you to create your dream home.
Furnace Repairs
Odd sounding noises, a spike in energy bills, or constant cycling—these signs indicate a problem with your furnace. Don’t wait for a minor issue to turn into a costly problem. Give us a call today if you detect a problem with your HVAC system. We promise never to replace a part unless necessary—or if we can demonstrate significant cost savings.
Furnace Maintenance
Want to get the most value from your HVAC system? Develop a preventative maintenance plan. Doing so can rejuvenate your equipment, increase your comfort, and lower your operating costs.
Give us a call today and ask about our customized Annual Maintenance Plan tailored to fit your budget and needs. Enjoy peace of mind knowing a trusted professional is watching over your HVAC equipment.
Call Us Today
Our entire team at Quality West values the trust you placed in our company—we promise to work extra hard to keep your business. Let us install your next furnace. Give our Littleton, CO, office a call today for a free consultation. Call us at 303-522-9597 or request service online today.
“Justin was prompt. He wore shoe covers and explained all that was checked.”
“We used Quality West in the past and were once again pleased with their work. We had to replace 2 furnaces and a water heater. They had a number of guys onsite taking care of the work so they were able to get it all done in one day.”
“Matt is very professional, thorough and communicates why and what he is doing. Appreciate him working on our furnace and AC.”
“Furnace wasn’t working and Quality West came right out on a very cold morning and got the heat going. With two little kids in the house it was crucial to get the heat back on quickly. Very courteous and knowledgeable. Great job Rob and Matt”
“I’ve had past servicing done and a recent installation of a new furnace and AC system. All round, a great team but special shout out to Matt, who I’ve dealt with on multiple occasions. His knowledge and enthusiasm is infectious and he always does a great job at explaining what he’s doing and why. Furthermore, on more than one occasion he’s gone above and beyond to deliver a quality service. A true gentleman and professional. Thanks Matt!”
“Quality west heating installed my furnace several years ago and they complete the yearly maintenance. Matt has been our technician for at least the past two years. He’s very professional, explains everything that he did and he always takes a little extra time to make sure the furnace is ready for the winter. I would recommend Quality West to anyone looking for a reputable HVAC company.”
– Linda V.
“Our furnace was acting up and they sent Matt out within 24 hours. We have a Maintenance Plan with them so we scheduled that as well. Matt was extremely efficient, professional, and friendly. We have been using this company for a while and are very happy with their service. Matt did the furnace tune-up, fixed the problem and there were no extra charges due to having the plan. I highly recommend this company, you will not be disappointed.”
– Dianna C.
“Matt was very professional and on time.”
– Rhonda T.
“Quality West installed a Rheem furnace, AC, and whole house humidifier for me in 2015 and have maintained it through their maintenance plan since. Their technicians have been the best. Efficient, on time, friendly, thorough, and communicative. Hard to ask for more!”
– Derek W.