Heating bills are on the rise and for people looking to lower their costs, the best place to look is of course at the furnace.
“When I talk to people that are experiencing higher than expected heating bills, they are always surprised when they think back to how old their furnace actually is,” said David Coulson of Napoleon Fireplaces. “For furnaces 10 to 15 years old, you are looking at older, inefficient technology that is sucking the money right from your wallet. If you are looking to replace an older one it’s really important to educate yourself before buying, as choosing the right furnace will save you money in the long run and keep the house at the perfect temperature.”
New technology of course brings new advances that would have never been possible 10 years ago and Napoleon Fireplaces’ HYBRID 150 is the perfect example. This Wood – Oil – Electric Triple Fuel Combination Furnace automatically switches from wood to oil or electric to heat the room and in a power failure the furnace is designed to use gravity flow for emergency heating.
For people looking into a new furnace for their home Coulson suggested the following tips:
1) Size matters – One of the most important factors when buying a furnace is to have a professional installer examine the size of the house and then determine the size of the furnace necessary for the space. A furnace that is too large leaves gaps in temperature as it turns on until it overwhelms the thermostat. The house ends up cooling down until the next cycle and creates an inconsistent temperature. A furnace that is the right size for the space, however, will be able to better regulate a constant temperature.
2) Fewer emissions – Being energy and environmentally conscious does not have to stop at the furnace. With Napoleon’s HYBRID 150, the fuel comes from three different sources – wood, oil or electric. This furnace is one of the cleanest and most efficient combination solid fuel-burning furnaces on the market today. The furnace switches from wood to oil or electric automatically and if the furnace runs out of wood a second thermostat will keep the house nice and toasty even if you are not at home.
3) Don’t buy on price alone – Always be sure to ask a professional installer, contractor or reputable salesperson about annual operating costs for whatever furnaces you may be looking at. While there are a variety of factors to consider, price should not necessarily be number one. Efficiencies, however, can vary drastically depending on price, which means that if you pay more up front now, you’ll still enjoy lower heating bills 10 or 15 years later.
4) Get the right documentation – Any reputable installer or manufacturer will be sure to not only include the purchase agreement and warranty information but also explain exactly what you are getting. If you feel confused or unsure about anything don’t be afraid to ask.
5) Correct installation and maintenance – Furnace installation should be done by a trained professional as not only can it be a safety hazard but if anything is off it can severely impact your efficiency and therefore your heating bill. Regular maintenance, generally in the fall, will keep the furnace performing like it should, keeping your family warm and your wallet a little fuller.
About Napoleon Fireplaces & Grills
It all began in 1976 when a small steel fabrication business launched by Wolfgang Schroeter started manufacturing steel railings in Barrie, Ontario, Canada. At that time, no one could imagine the incredible future that lay ahead for Wolf Steel Ltd. and eventually Napoleon(r) Fireplaces and Napoleon(r) Gourmet Grills. Since the first wood stove rolled off the production line over 30 years ago, Wolf Steel’s commitment was to be distinctive and successful in everything they do. The Napoleon’s commitment to producing quality products combined with honest, reliable service has proven to be a successful framework to ensuring the continued rapid growth of the company. Napoleon(r) is an ISO9001 – 2008 registered company and now operates with 500,000+ square feet of manufacturing space and over 500 employees. We are North America’s largest privately owned manufacturer of quality wood and gas fireplaces (inserts and stoves), gourmet gas and charcoal grills, outdoor living products and waterfalls.
