Taking my time choosing a new furnace

Until just recently, my house was outfitted with an ancient gas furnace.

The heating system was inefficient and ineffective.

It was noisy, spread dust every time it started up and cost me a fortune to run. The furnace struggled to keep up with the demands of the winter weather and frequently quit. Although minor, the repairs started to add up. Rather than wait for the furnace to quit during a blizzard, I decided to be proactive. I read customer reviews for all of the local HVAC contractors. I looked for a company that is fully licensed, insured and factory authorized. I made sure the technicians are NATE- and EPA-certified and that the company maintains an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. I chose an HVAC dealer that offers free estimates and a 100% satisfaction guarantee. I called them during the late spring to get started on the replacement project. I planned to take my time in considering different makes and models of furnaces. I asked the contractor to explain the various features and provide a recommendation. I looked into the benefits of variable speed operation, zone control, stainless steel heat exchangers and wifi connectivity. I even read up on the different warranties offered by the various manufacturers. It took me quite some time to finally choose the ideal furnace for my home. I selected a top-of-the-line model that is Energy Star qualified and achieves 98% AFUE rating. I ordered the furnace and scheduled a time of installation. There were delays with the arrival of the equipment and then I needed to leave town due to work responsibilities. After that, we got into a busy season for the HVAC contractor. I was worried that I was going to face another winter with the outdated furnace. The new furnace was finally installed just a few days before the first snowfall.
Local service provider