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Things to know before replacing a furnace

CREATED Oct. 27, 2012

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MILWAUKEE - Now that the weather is getting colder, you may find that your furnace is not working as well as it should.

Before you rush into replacement, you may want to do your homework.

When the weather gets cold, we all want a good, working furnace to keep us warm.

Unfortunately, this is the time of year when many of us learn that it may be time to replace what we have.

Before you rush into a buying a furnace here are a few things that you may want to do:

Conduct an energy assessment of your home.

Focusonenergy.com has some great tips and information about programs that can help you save money on your heating costs.

Get estimates and recommendations from more than one, reputable contractor.

Check the reputation of the manufacturer and model of the furnace as well as the reputation of the contractor with consumer agencies before signing a contract or paying for installation.

Consider not only the cost to install a new furnace, but the estimated gas and electrical costs to heat your home.

Ask about warranties, maintenance, and service agreements, and how much you can expect to pay for future service calls.

Buying a new furnace can be a costly, and sometimes confusing transaction, but if you do you do your homework and take some precautions, it can prove to be a great investment that will last a long time.