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 Michigan 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 North Winds Heating & Cooling has the knowledge and expertise to help you make that choice. We’re a trusted name in Okemos, MI, 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 fuel 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 gas furnaces 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 AFUE (annual fuel utilization efficiency) 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. 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 North Winds Heating & Cooling, we specialize in furnace installation 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 (subject to approved credit) 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 the need for furnace repairs. 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 furnace 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 Every Degree Protection 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 North Winds Heating & Cooling 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 Okemos, MI, office a call today for a free consultation. Call us at 517-225-3430 or request service online today.
- Mike S.
“Art/Lon/Todd and Alan
We had a great experience with this company from start to finish. From the initial consultation to the final furnace installation, everything was handled professionally and efficiently. The team arrived on time, explained the process clearly, and answered all of our questions without rushing us.
The installers were knowledgeable, courteous, and left the work area clean when they were done—something we really appreciated. The new furnace works perfectly, and we can already tell a difference in comfort and efficiency.
It’s refreshing to work with a company that’s honest, reliable, and takes pride in their work. I would absolutely recommend them to anyone looking for furnace installation or HVAC services.”
- Parrick M.
“Amazing service all around. Called at 6:50am got with us by 7:30am and had a technician out by 1pm. Went above and beyond to find the right solution to fixing my issue. Tyler J was the technician explained what was going on and kept me in on every step, total professional.”
- Eric B.
“Called after hrs & Kevin was out within the hour at 2am in frigid weather. Checked system, all heat vents. Kevin was professional & knowlegeable & informative. I am so happy I chose Northwinds as my HVAC company. I will let friends and family know how pleased I am.”
- Beverly H.
“Allen was very responsive and professional. Repaired the furnace and got the heat back on quickly.”
- Ted B.
“Eric was professional and thorough on the maintenance check. Took pictures of the various ridings and what might need to be replaced soon. Highly satisfied.”
- Micah C.
“Purchased new HVAC a few years back. Signed up for the service program to keep everything running smooth. Rick paid a visit as part of the agreement to make sure we were good to go for the winter months. Rick did a fantastic job not only with the thorough testing, but was kind enough to explain the step taken and recommendations in terms I could understand. He fielded all my questions with patience(which was a lot).
Thank you Rick, both me and my spouse appreciate you making this a stress free service/maintenance call. See you in the Spring for the AC call…”
- Mark C.
“Lon and Pete did an excellent job installing my new Trane HVAC system. They were friendly, professional, very thorough, and explained everything to me as they went along with their work. I had an appointment and was completely comfortable leaving them to continue while I was gone. The quality of service from Northwinds is one of the reasons I’m a long-time customer, and their technicians really go the extra mile. Strongest recommendation!”
- Phil M.
“Eric was punctual. Very professional and friendly. Answered my questions to my satisfaction.”
- Andrena R.
“We were very, very pleased with our experience from beginning to the end! Give them a try; you won't be disappointed!!
To all phone contacts, and Rick, Nate, Willis, Art, and Tyler – thank you for your respect for us, your kindness and careful work we send each of you Five Gold Stars 🤗”
- Liz E.