What's your project?
Whear?

Atlanta Gas Furnace

Heating & Cooling

Related Content

Find Top-Rated Professionals

When it comes to heating your home in the ATL, the most popular choice is a gas furnace in Atlanta. There are a number of reasons that a gas furnace leads the pack, including cost, fuel availability, the versatility of natural gas for other uses like cooking and heating water, and more recently, the high energy efficiency that can be achieved by a gas furnace. Whether you're looking to install a gas furnace in Atlanta for the first time, or the time has come to replace your old unit with a new model, here are some helpful tips on what to keep an eye out for as you start shopping around.

Atlanta Gas Furnace Costs
For starters, you're probably wondering what a new furnace installation is going to cost in the Atlanta area. While it's important to point out that every installation is different, depending on the individual furnace you purchase, the size of your home, and whether you need to install new ductwork or not, ServiceMagic can help give you an idea of what you're likely to spend on your new gas furnace in Atlanta. Based on the data that we have collected from homeowners who have used our contractor referral services in the past, we can tell you that an average furnace installation costs around $3,500 in the greater Atlanta metropolitan area. As we said, that price can vary widely (our books show a range of costs between $1,200 and $8,000), but if you live in an average-sized home in the ATL, that $3,500 dollar mark is a good ballpark to go on.

Finding the Right Gas Furnace in Atlanta
Since a furnace is a such significant investment in your home, both from a monetary and comfort standpoint, it's important that you know what to look for to ensure you get the best furnace for your home, budget, and needs. Here's a list of things to consider as you begin to narrow down your options.

  • AFUE Ratings—Energy efficiency should be at the top of your list, even in Atlanta where the relatively mild climate places less demand on heating systems. When shopping with energy efficiency in mind, pay close attention to AFUE ratings (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency). Set as the percentage of fuel that is utilized to heat your home, rather than wasted, new energy-efficient gas furnaces in Atlanta can have AFUE ratings as high as 97 percent. The higher the AFUE rating of a furnace, the more it's going to cost, though keep in mind that higher energy efficiency means lower utility bills, as well.

  • Furnace "Options"—Another thing to keep in the back of your mind is how many bells and whistles you might want on your new furnace. Like any other technological wonder, furnaces now have many options and upgrades to choose from that can reduce noise levels, increase energy efficiency, and result in more comfortable, even heating. Variable speed blowers, variable heat output, electronic ignition, dual heat exchangers, and zoned heating are all options you should ask your contractor about before you settle on a specific model.

  • Proper Sizing—Selecting a furnace that is the right size for your home is just as important as AFUE ratings or added features. A gas furnace in Atlanta that is too big will cycle on and off too frequently, which results in uneven heating, poor energy efficiency, and can lead to premature wear and tear on the furnace and moisture buildup. Go too small, and your furnace will run around the clock (costing you money!) while insufficiently heating your home. To ensure you purchase the perfectly sized furnace for your home, hire a contractor to size your furnace using Manual J Calculations from the ACCA (Air Conditioning Contractors Association).

  • Proper Installation—Finally, you're wise to hire a qualified HVAC technician to properly install your Atlanta gas furnace. High AFUE ratings, variable speed blowers, and variable heat output are all for naught if your contractor does a shoddy job when putting your new gas furnace in. Furthermore, a good contractor will also inspect and seal your ductwork where necessary to improve the efficiency of your overall heating system, not just the furnace itself.

    Furnace Tips for a Milder Climate: Buying a Gas Furnace in Atlanta
    Buying an Atlanta gas furnace is not a one-size-fits-all proposition. Keep in mind that due to the mild climate in the ATL, the high costs of the most efficient Atlanta gas furnace might not be justified if you look at things purely from an investment/return standpoint. Since a gas furnace in Atlanta runs less frequently, and for a shorter portion of the year than the same model would in Minneapolis, for example, your actual savings over the course of the year will be quite a bit less than your northern neighbor's, even if your furnaces' efficiency ratings are exactly the same. That being said, you might want to consider a furnace with an AFUE rating in the 80 to 90 percent range instead. While they aren't quite as efficient as top-tier units, these gas furnaces in Atlanta don't cost quite as much upfront, increasing your chances of making your money back though reduced energy costs over the life of the furnace. Talking to a quality contractor about this and other issues is the best way to ensure that you're choosing the best possible furnace for your home, budget, and heating needs.

    Matt Goering, formerly a carpenter and house painter, is a freelance writer for the home improvement industry who has published over 600 articles.

    • Rate This Article

    OVERALL RATING Be first to rate this article!

    YOUR RATING

    Very PoorPoorFairGoodVery Good

    Log-in to save your ratings!

    Recommend This Article
    Digg This Digg
    Submit to Reddit Reddit
    Bookmark This Del.icio.us
    ServiceMagic Articles To-Go

    Add to Google

    Add to My AOL 0

    Top 5 Projects:
    Heating & Cooling
    1. 1.
      Central A/C Install
    2. 2.
      Furnace - Install or Replace
    3. 3.
      Swamp Cooler Install
    4. 4.
      Ducts & Vents Install
    5. 5.
      Boiler or Radiator Heat Install
    View All Categories
    What's Your Project?

    Are You a Quality Pro? Contractors Join Here
    More Tips & Advice For Your Home
    Related Articles
    Recent Articles
    Videos
    The Story of Jane The Story of Jane

    When you're having a hard time trying to choose one service professional over another, ServiceMagic is the best way to make an informed choice.  Watch Now

    By using ServiceMagic you agree to our Terms & Conditions
    SUBJECT GUIDES: Plumbers | Electricians | Kitchen Remodeling
    FOR HOMEOWNERS: Categories | Projects | Contractor Directory | Community | Tell a Friend | Blog | Refer-A-Pro | Screen-A-Pro | Guarantee | 10-Point Screening
    FOR CONTRACTORS: Contractor Advertising | Construction Jobs | Contractor Leads / Join Our Network
    SERVICEMAGIC SITE: Home Improvement | Log In | About Us | Contact | Help | Careers | Site Map | Articles | Galleries | Videos | Project Tools | RSS Feed | Affiliates
    LEGAL: Privacy (Updated) | Terms & Conditions
    INTERNATIONAL: ServiceMagic UK | Travaux | 123Devis
    Follow Us on Twitter Become a Fan of ServiceMagic at Facebook Get the IPhone App for free
    © Copyright 1999-2009, ServiceMagic, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    Better Homes and Gardens Member of the Better Homes and Gardens Network