$49 / month O.A.C Including Install
$49 / month O.A.C Including Install

How to Choose the Best Furnace for Your Climate and Budget

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How to Choose the Best Furnace for Your Climate and Budget

Posted On: December 10, 2024

How to Choose the Best Furnace for Your Climate and Budget

Selecting the right furnace for your home involves balancing the needs of your local climate with your financial considerations. Here’s how you can make an informed choice:



1. Understand Furnace Types

There are three main types of furnaces, each with its benefits and costs:


  • Gas Furnaces: Efficient for cold climates, lower operating costs in areas with affordable natural gas.
  • Electric Furnaces: More affordable upfront, suitable for milder climates with lower heating needs.
  • Oil Furnaces: Ideal for rural areas without gas lines; higher operating costs but effective in extreme cold.

2. Assess Energy Efficiency

The efficiency of a furnace is measured by its Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE):


  • 80-85% AFUE: Standard efficiency, suitable for mild climates or homes with limited heating needs.
  • 90%+ AFUE: High efficiency, recommended for cold climates or those looking to save on long-term energy costs.

Higher efficiency furnaces may cost more upfront but save on energy bills over time.



3. Consider Climate

  • Cold Climates: A high-efficiency gas or oil furnace is recommended to handle prolonged heating needs.
  • Mild Climates: An electric furnace or standard-efficiency gas furnace may suffice, as heating demands are lower.

4. Determine Your Budget

  • Initial Costs: Gas and oil furnaces typically cost more upfront compared to electric models.
  • Operating Costs: Natural gas is generally the cheapest to operate, followed by oil and then electricity. Consider local energy rates.
  • Maintenance Costs: Gas and oil furnaces require more regular maintenance than electric models.

5. Factor in Size and Installation

  • Proper Sizing: A furnace that’s too large or small for your home can lead to inefficiency and discomfort. Work with an HVAC professional to calculate the right size based on your home’s square footage and insulation.
  • Installation Costs: High-efficiency models may require additional setup, such as venting systems, which can increase installation costs.

6. Evaluate Advanced Features

Modern furnaces often include features that improve performance and convenience:


  • Variable-Speed Blowers: Enhance efficiency and maintain even temperatures.
  • Zoning Systems: Allow precise control of heating in different areas of the home.
  • Smart Thermostats: Improve efficiency and offer remote control.

7. Research Rebates and Incentives

Many energy-efficient furnaces qualify for government or utility rebates. Check for programs in your area to offset the initial costs.



8. Consult an HVAC Professional

A professional can assess your home’s heating needs, recommend the most suitable furnace, and ensure proper installation for maximum efficiency.



By considering these factors, you can find a furnace that keeps your home comfortable, aligns with your budget, and performs efficiently for years to come.



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See What Our Customers Are Saying:

by LP from Pickering on Twintech Heating and Cooling

All interactions from sales to installation were Courteous and professional. The installation was seamless and the attention to detail including clean up was outstanding. I highly recommend TwinTech Heating and Cooling.

by David in Pickering on Twintech Heating and Cooling

Twintech's Salesman Dave arrived promptly was friendly and courteous, listened and assured us the installation would be completed according to our requests. The crew arrived early morning on May 11th, 2018 and worked through till late afternoon non-stop. They were very friendly, very professional, their expertise was excellent, their workmanship outstanding and the installation was completed in a timely and efficient manner. We were completely satisfied and happy with the quality of the work.

by Jennifer in Toronto on Twintech Heating and Cooling

I had cold and hot spots all over my 70 yr old home. My furnace is quite new and Greg optimized the fan and furnace. The original installer just took it out of the box with factory settings and installed it- basically running at 50% of capacity. Greg also routed heat into my laundry room, yeah - so now I can renovate laundry room - thanks Greg. He is honest, professional and knowledgeable. I will be calling him back in the spring to optimize my AC as well.

by Happy Homeowner in Toronto on Twintech Heating and Cooling

Wonderful from beginning to end. I tend to fret and worry about home improvements but the excellent team at TwinTech put my mind as ease. They listen, they are patient and best of all ... the work they did is amazing! I chose the Goodman 80K BTU 2 stage furnace and the matching Goodman air conditioner. Greg, Grant and Poitr "Peter" arrived on time, took great care, explained everything to me and they answered all of my questions. They carefully adjusted the factory settings to optimize the furnace for my house and they also checked the duct work in the basement. Dave, the Sales Manager, came by to say "hello" and to see if I was happy. YES, I am happy with the work! The furnace is very quiet. I have it running on low just to circulate the air in the house and it's so much quieter than my old furnace. When I need new duct work for an upcoming basement renovation TwinTech will be my first choice. I highly recommend TwinTech. PS. They were even nice to my dogs.

by Les G. from Pickering on Twintech Heating and Cooling

Greg was prompt on the scheduled day of installation and the work was done well within the time estimated beforehand. Installation was neat and the equipment and scope of work was as specified in the quote. One item I must point out is that we were faced with a "No Heat" situation the day before the scheduled installation and Greg came out to address it free of charge. Not only that, but he also corrected an installation fault with our smart thermostat that was not part of the original job, again free of charge.

by one19 in North york on Twintech Heating and Cooling

Greg came by to do a routine furnace checkup. He was very knowledgeable and professional, letting me know what's being checked/adjusted and giving me tips to ensure everything runs smooth. Very honest and upfront about what's working fine vs. what may need to be fixed/replaced. He didn't attempt to up sell anything that wasn't necessary. I'm glad to have finally found someone I can trust and rely on for all my HVAC needs - furnace, A/C, and hot water tank.

by Paul M. from Toronto on Twintech Heating and Cooling

I'm very happy with the work that was done. Everyone from salesperson to the installers were friendly and professional. They were on time and cleaned up the job site after it was installed. They also answered all my follow up questions promptly. I wouldn't hesitate to work with them or recommend them again.

by Kathy D.in Ajax on Twintech Heating and Cooling

Thanks to the team at Twin Tech for a great job installing my new heat pump/ac unit. The guys were very polite and professional. When they left you would never have known they had been there except for the new Mitsubishi unit on the wall!! would highly recommend the Twin Tech team.

by varga p. in Pickering on Twintech Heating and Cooling

Installed professionally, no delays, no rework needed. Very reliable contractor and sales person. Also installed BBQ gas line and some duct work.

by Private User on Twintech Heating and Cooling

Greg and Grant are friendly, reliable, and knowledgeable HVAC professionals. The twins, Dave and the entire team provided efficient top quality service. Our family plns to use Twintech for all of our future HVAC needs.

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See What Our Customers Are Saying:

by Aaron on Twintech Heating and Cooling

We are very happy to recommend this company to everyone. Our furnace broke down on Sunday morning. We phoned them and before noon Grant the owner showed up. He worked on the furnace for about a hour not wanting to give up to fix the problem. The furnace was 17 years old. I was the one talking about replacing it. End result was the next day it was all done. On the Sunday Bob came over with heaters to warm up the house. We decided to replace the water heater at the same time. Thanks Grant for the excellent work. Thumbs up.

by Linda on Twintech Heating and Cooling

Right on time. Explained how to work the HRV in a different way so the house would not be so dry. Changed my whole house water filter for me as well. Friendly, helpful, caring service!

by Robert Rogers on Twintech Heating and Cooling

Very pleased with the professional service that TwinTech Heating and Cooling provided in replacing my furnace. I got several quotes from different service providers. Their price was excellent and they explained the features very well. We are very glad we went with TwinTech and highly recommend their services.

by Robert Mizuno on Twintech Heating and Cooling

We were new homeowners in need of a second opinion. TwinTech Heating & Cooling were Amazing and professional. Very knowledgeable and great service all around. Recommend to anyone looking for honest and reliable services. Treated with respect and care. Thank you Greg, Mitch and Bob!

by Ruth on Twintech Heating and Cooling

TwinTech is an excellent and honest company! I called them for a second opinion after being told by another company that I needed to replace my furnace. Turns out this was not the case at all! I did not need a new furnace. TwinTech did not push to make an unnecessary sale and saved me from a huge expense. Bob and Mitch were extremely professional and above all honest! I definitely recommend TwinTech!

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