Premier South Bend Heating Installation Services
Located in northern Indiana, South Bend experiences all four seasons, including harsh winters. These winters can include multiple months with average low temperatures dipping below freezing. Because of this, South Bend residents will want to make sure they have a heating system installed in their home and that it’s working well for them. One of the most common types of heating systems is the furnace, but we also install ductless mini splits for supplementary heat. If you’re looking for furnace replacement or installation in South Bend, IN, trust the HVAC technicians at Bickel Heating & Cooling. We’ll provide you with a free estimate and the highest quality services. Get in touch with us by giving us a call or providing us with the requested information in our website’s online contact form.
Signs Your South Bend Home Needs Furnace Replacement
If you have a furnace in your home but are deciding whether it’s time to get a new one, here are some signs you can watch for. Whenever you encounter the following, get in touch with us at Bickel Heating & Cooling to diagnose the problem and decide if we should move forward with furnace replacement in South Bend, IN.
Old Age
Since the expected lifespan of most furnaces is between 15 and 20 years, on average, with proper maintenance, when your furnace nears that age, pay attention to whether it’s still working as well as usual. If not, you should consider getting it replaced.
Frequent or Costly Repairs
If the repair cost is more than half of a furnace replacement cost, it’s a better financial decision to opt for new furnace installation in South Bend, IN.
Lack of Heating
An inefficient furnace won’t heat your home effectively, and that negates the purpose of the furnace. Not all inefficiencies can be solved with repairs, and our HVAC technicians can let you know whether you’re better off getting a new furnace or fixing your current one.
Increase in Heating Bills
If you’re not using your furnace more than normal but your energy bills are skyrocketing, you may have a model that’s lived past its golden years or is improperly sized for your home’s needs.
How to Choose Your New Furnace Type
Choosing the right furnace should be based on what will best fit your home. We’ve detailed some ways to weigh your options.
Furnace Fuel Type
- Electric: This type of furnace is environmentally friendly, but can be costlier to run on a day-to-day basis.
- Gas: Gas furnaces are the most affordable option, which makes them incredibly popular for furnace installation in South Bend, IN.
- Oil: You don’t see these as often, but heating oil is another way to fuel your furnace.
- Propane: These are more commonly seen in the rural areas outside of cities.
Energy Efficiency
Paying attention to the AFUE rating and choosing a furnace with a high rating will ensure your heating system is more efficient, thereby saving you money on your energy bills in the long run.
Heating Stages
The heat output of your furnace can differ in the following ways, depending on your model:
- Single-Stage: This type of furnace can only turn on and off, operating at 100% heating capacity whenever it’s on. It’s the cheapest type to install, but can cost more to operate due to being less energy efficient.
- Two-Stage: This type has a lower stage of operation where it turns on a 60-70% of full capacity and a higher stage at 100% capacity. The low stage is used more often for maintaining home temperatures, with the high stage being used only when the home needs fast heating or to combat especially cold weather outside. It’s more energy efficient than the single-stage furnace model, saving money on energy bills.
- Modulating: This type uses variable heat outputs ranging from 40% to 100% capacity, with increments between the heat capacity as precise as 1%. It’s the most energy-efficient and effective heating type, but is also the most expensive upfront.
Schedule Your Heater Installation
When you need furnace installation or replacement in South Bend, IN, reach out to the expert team at Bickel Heating & Cooling. You can get in touch with us by calling us directly or filling out your information in the contact form we’ve included on this webpage. We’ll answer any questions you may have and schedule your installation at your earliest convenience.
