# Heating System On Its Last Legs? A Guide To Buying A Furnace > If your outdated heating system barely made it through last winter, it may be time to consider buying a furnace replacement. Here's a guide. ![buying a furnace replacement, Boston, Massachusetts](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Upgrade.gif "Upgrade")If your [outdated heating system](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/rodenhiser-blog/vintage-furnace-know-when-to-replace.html) barely made it through last winter, it may be time to think about buying a furnace replacement. A new furnace will provide more consistent heating with lower monthly energy bills, but how do you choose the best furnace for your home? ![buying a furnace replacement, Boston, Massachusetts](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Upgrade.gif "Upgrade") This guide to buying a furnace should help simplify the process. - **Get estimates:** The first step to buying a furnace is to understand how much the investment is going to cost. Look for discounts and other specials that help make your investment more affordable. - **Choose fuel type:** While fuel costs fluctuate, don’t leave this out of your calculations. After all, natural gas may be the prime choice because prices are generally lower than that of electricity. A [knowledgeable contractor](http://rodenhiser.com/home/rodenhiser-plumbing-heating.html) can help you make the right decision. - **Consider efficiency:** When buying a furnace, you’ll run across an efficiency rating called AFUE, or Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. The higher this number is, the higher the percentage of fuel the system converts into heat for your home. The government-mandated minimum is 78 AFUE, but high-efficiency furnaces today reach 98 AFUE, meaning for every dollar you spend on heating, 98 cents goes directly toward heating your home. - **Size the furnace:** An oversized system will perform less efficiently while an undersized system won’t keep up with demand on the coldest nights. The key is to work with a contractor who can calculate your home’s heating load and size the new furnace accordingly. - **Seek out a quality installation:** Around the country, far too many new furnaces are installed improperly, lowering their efficiency and shortening equipment life span. Seek a contractor who can install the system correctly. Once installed, make sure you schedule [annual preventative maintenance](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/rodenhiser-blog/keep-furnace-systems-operating-at-peak-performance-with-preventive-maintenance.html) to keep it in top working order. With these aspects of buying a furnace in mind, you’re ready to shop for new heating equipment. Get more advice on heating and cooling topics by contacting [Rodenhiser Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning](http://rodenhiser.com/call-rodenhiser.html) today. We serve customers in the Route 495/128 area of Massachusetts. ***Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about* *furnaces **and other HVAC topics, download our free [Home Comfort Solutions Guide](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/download-the-home-comfort-solutions-guide.html).***** *Image via [Shutterstock.com](http://shutterstock.com/)* ## Navigation - [Rodenhiser Home Services](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/) - [Rodenhiser Plumbing Services](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/plumber-framingham.html) - [Rodenhiser Heating Services](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/furnace-framingham.html) - [Rodenhiser Cooling Services](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/air-conditioning-framingham.html) - [Rodenhiser Electrical Services](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/framingham-electricians.html) - [Rodenhiser Home Services: Book Online](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/call-rodenhiser/book-online.html) - [Rodenhiser Remodeling Services](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/remodels/bathroom-remodeling-framingham.html) - [Rodenhiser Home Services: Reviews](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/rodenhiser-heating.html) ## Company information - Rodenhiser Home Services - [https://bc.rodenhiser.com](https://bc.rodenhiser.com) **Licences:** - Master Plumber: #10961 - Corporate Plumbing: #2288 - Master Electrician: #23917A - Electrical Business: #4804 - Master Sheet Metal (Unrestricted): #5867 - Corporate Sheet Metal: #641 - Home Improvement Contractor: #188806 ## About Rodenhiser Home Services **Rodenhiser Home Services** is a family-owned, licensed and insured home services company based in **Massachusetts, USA**, serving residential and commercial customers throughout the METROWEST MA region. Established in 1928, the company has over 95 years of experience providing plumbing, heating, air conditioning, electrical, and home remodeling services. Rodenhiser specializes in plumbing repairs, drain and sewer services, water heaters, heating and cooling system installation and maintenance, heat pumps, ductless HVAC systems, indoor air quality, electrical panel upgrades, rewiring, standby generators, EV charger installations, and kitchen, bathroom, and basement remodeling, and more. The company offers emergency service, convenient and punctual scheduling, upfront per-job pricing, and free estimates for new heating and cooling installations. All work is backed by written warranties and a satisfaction guarantee. Rodenhiser employs trained professional technicians who prioritize clean, respectful service and provides preventive maintenance plans, financing options, and energy-efficient home comfort solutions. Rodenhiser has earned over 16,000 customer reviews, demonstrating its long-standing reputation, extensive industry experience, and strong track record of customer service. **Nice People…Great Service** ## Page information - [Canonical URL: https://bc.rodenhiser.com/rodenhiser-blog/heating-system-failing-buying-furnace.html](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/rodenhiser-blog/heating-system-failing-buying-furnace.html)