How to Choose a Furnace Based on Your Climate

Selecting the right furnace is more nuanced than just looking at energy efficiency and price. Your local climate plays a significant role in determining which furnace will work best for your needs. Let's explore how to select the ideal furnace based on geographical conditions.

Choosing a Furnace for the Very Cold Northern Climate

If you reside in an area where temperatures frequently drop below freezing, you'll need a furnace designed to handle extreme cold.

Modulating Furnace: A modulating furnace continuously adjusts its heating output, providing just the right amount of heat required. It can operate at a high-efficiency level and is excellent at maintaining consistent indoor temperatures, making it an ideal choice for cold climates.

Two-Stage Furnace: This is also a good option for colder regions. A two-stage furnace has two heating settings: low for milder cold and high for extreme temperatures. While not as precise as a modulating furnace, it's still more efficient than a single-stage furnace.

Choosing a Furnace for a Milder Winter Climate

In milder winter climates, you don't need a furnace operating at full capacity all the time.

Modulating Furnace: Again, a modulating furnace is your top choice because it can adjust its output depending on the current weather conditions, saving you money on heating bills. Two-Stage Furnace: Operating on a low setting during milder cold and switching to a high setting for those occasional colder days makes a two-stage furnace a practical choice for milder climates.

Choosing a Furnace for the Southern U.S. Regions

For the southern U.S., where winters can be milder, focus on efficiency over high heating capacity.

Two-Stage Furnace: In this case, a two-stage furnace could be the most practical. Its ability to function at lower settings during milder cold spells will save energy.

Variable-Speed 80% AFUE Furnace: AFUE stands for Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. An 80% AFUE variable-speed furnace can adjust the fan speed and is a reasonable secondary option.

Choosing a Furnace for the Extreme South (South Florida & Texas)

In regions where winter is extremely mild or almost non-existent, heating requirements are minimal.

80% Variable-Speed Furnace: This furnace type is economical and usually sufficient for regions with mild winters. Variable-speed means that the furnace can adjust its fan speed according to the heating needs, optimizing electricity usage.

Standard 80% Non-Variable Furnace: If you're looking to buy a new furnace with a less expensive initial investment and provides minimal heating, a standard 80% AFUE furnace could suffice.

Electric Furnace: An electric furnace might also be a reasonable choice in such mild climates. While generally less energy-efficient than gas furnaces, the lower heating requirements might make this an economical option.

Final Thoughts

Climate is an essential variable in determining which furnace you should invest in. Take the time to evaluate your specific needs based on your geographical location. Consult with professionals to ensure that you're making the most informed decision, which will keep you comfortable, optimize your energy usage, and minimize long-term costs.