Are you in need of a furnace? If that’s the case, you should approach this as a significant investment. In most family homes, the cost of replacing a furnace often go on the high side, and you don’t want to make that investment more than once. Knowing the furnace brands to avoid. becomes crucial when making the decision on which brand to buy.
If you can find the proper model, any furnace can be a good choice. Some brands, on the other hand, have a well-deserved negative rep. Here’s what you should know…
Brands of furnaces are recognized for influencing quality, warranty, and craftsmanship. A brand that is known for its dependability has a better chance of being durable and long-lasting. So it’s definitely something to think about.
Customer evaluations from reviews obtained from FurnaceCompare.com, a platform that has collected data on more than 90 brands and 450 separate types of furnaces, were used to determine which brands to avoid. FurnaceCompare.com receives hundreds of first-hand evaluations from users who rate their experiences from 1 (“Very Unsatisfied”) to 5 (“Very Satisfied”) and provide comments.
What is a Furnace?
A furnace is referred to as a heater or boiler, that is used to heat an entire building. The majority of the time, furnaces are used as the main component of a central heating system. The word formax comes from the Latin word for oven. Furnaces are permanently installed heating systems that use an intermediary fluid movement, such as air, steam, or hot water, to give heat to an interior space.
What are Furnace Brands to Avoid?
With a little luck, almost any furnace may be a decent buy; however, some brands simply aren’t as reliable as others. Below are furnace brands to avoid:
- Arcoaire Review rating
- Burnham Furnaces Review rating
- Ducane Review rating
- York Review rating
- Lennox Review rating
- Tempstar Review rating
- Weatherking Review rating
#1. Arcoaire
Many reviews decry the fact that their bills went through the roof after installing one of these units in your home. Unless you live in a super warm area, ArcoAir probably won’t be a good idea for you to buy. Many reviews complain that after installing one of these units in their home, their costs skyrocketed. Unless you live in a particularly hot climate, ArcoAir is unlikely to be a wise investment.
#2. Burnham Furnaces
Burnham has some of the lowest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry. Efficiency, customer service, and, yes, dependability are also factors in the evaluations. Given that this is a budget furnace provider, it should come as no surprise that they have furnace burner issues or that their warranties are inadequate. Burham Furnaces is gaining a negative reputation for the numerous costly repairs that are required, frequently within less than five years after purchase.
#3. Ducane
Ducane is yet another furnace that received a dismal rating for dependability, quality, and customer service. While it isn’t quite as bad as it once was, it is still rather bad. Ducane furnaces have a reputation for being noisy in addition to having frequent breakdowns.
#4. York
If you acquire a York furnace, you will almost certainly need to call a repairman within a year of owning it. York, unfortunately, isn’t particularly good when it comes to customer service.
#5. Lennox
Most people would be surprised to learn that Lennox is on this list, but you shouldn’t be. While their warranties are excellent and their prices are well-known, Lennox isn’t exactly dependable.
Is it Ok to Purchase a Non-Branded Furnace?
Furnaces are one of those items with which you should not tinker just like your refrigerator. A malfunctioning furnace has the potential to kill you. Carbon monoxide might also leak into your home. While some unbranded furnaces may be fine, you don’t want to take any chances with some of these kinds. The savings aren’t worth it when it comes to your safety.
Aside from safety, the lack of a warranty is another important reason why you shouldn’t trust an unbranded furnace. The majority of ‘aftermarket’ furnaces are not covered by any kind of guarantee. Even if they want to, there aren’t much that can be done to enforce the warranty’s terms. So, while they may offer the world, you are unlikely to be able to put that promise into practice.
How Do I Repair and Maintain My Furnace?
It’s not always easy to figure out what’s wrong with your furnace. Small problems may be straightforward to address for homeowners who are unsure about repairs, however, complex problems may necessitate repairs or the purchase of a new furnace. As a result, troubleshooting furnace issues and understanding when to fix the unit yourself and when to call an HVAC professional are crucial.
The following are the most typical furnace issues:
- How to Replace a Filter in a Furnace
- Cold air is blown by the furnace.
- The thermostat has failed.
- Control board failure
- Electrical issues
- issues with the motor system
- Problems with the ignitor in the pilot light
#1. How to replace a filter in a furnace
For maximum efficiency, furnaces must be cleaned on a regular basis. It’s difficult for heated air to move properly in the home if ducts get dusty or clogged. When an air filter becomes clogged with dirt and debris, it can reduce airflow or even cause the furnace to shut down. The ducts can be cleaned by an HVAC contractor or by contacting a duct cleaning service.
#2. The thermostat has failed.
Thermostats control the home’s heating and cooling. Any necessary repairs should be made by an HVAC contractor if a thermostat fails. A replacement unit may be required if the unit is beyond repair.
#3. Control board failure
Control boards, like circuit boards in computers, are intricate components. If a control board fails, it must be replaced by an HVAC professional.
#4. Electrical issues
Tripped circuit breakers and blown fuses are common electrical issues with furnaces. These are simple issues that can be resolved by an HVAC specialist. However, an electrician may be necessary for more critical issues.
#5. Issues with the motor system
To heat the house, blower motors force air into the ducting. The furnace can’t heat the house correctly if the motor isn’t working properly. Some capacitor issues can be fixed by homeowners, while others will necessitate the services of an HVAC specialist.
#6. Problems with the ignitor in the pilot light
An electric igniter may be included in a new gas furnace, whereas older gas furnaces employ gas-powered igniting with a pilot light. It is dangerous for homeowners to try to restart the ignition system if it is malfunctioning or fails to light. Restarting necessitates the expertise of a competent contractor. If the ignition cannot be restarted, the ignitor may need to be replaced.
How Do I Pick the Best Furnace?
In making a purchase, there are factors that you should consider before paying for that Furnace. Below are some important considerations
- Fuel source that will be used
- The furnace sized
- The best price furnace
#1. Fuel source that will be used
Gas, oil, and electricity are the most used fuels for house heating.
Here’s some background on each type:
Gas furnace: Gas is generally clean, convenient, and usually among the least-priced fuels, gas is the most popular option to heat a home.
Oil furnaces: Oil furnaces require an inside oil tank with a standard capacity of 275 gallons, which necessitates extra space for installation. It can also be dirtier than a gas furnace, depending on the type of fuel used.
Electric furnace.: A gas or oil furnace can be replaced with an electric furnace. These units are incredibly efficient at converting heat, but because of the high cost of power, they are a costly choice.
#2. The furnace sized
A load estimate performed by your HVAC contractor is the only way to determine if your furnace is properly sized. To calculate the optimum furnace capacity, a load calculation considers the size of your home, the insulation value of your windows, the quantity of insulation in your walls and roof, and a variety of other factors.
#3. The best price furnace
Negotiating the price of your furnace is one of the best ways to get a good deal. It’s a delicate balancing act to negotiate the price of a new furnace. You don’t want to overpay, and you also don’t want to underpay. One method you could find useful in determining whether a contractor’s price is appropriate is to compare prices for different brands.
Conclusion
Excellent customer service ratings are what make a purchase a safe bet. It’s never a bad idea to read customer reviews before making a major purchase, and there are plenty available today! Some are quite beneficial to your decision-making process.
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