Choosing the right furnace for your home is a big decision. After all, the decision can affect more than just the heating in your home. Heating options can be powered by a number of different fuels like oil, wood, and coal. Electric furnaces and heat pumps are also great options if you live in a part of the country with mild Winters. A heat pump or electric furnace is not a great option for people living in extremely cold winter climates. If you are buying a gas furnace, chances are very good that you’ll want to have a gas water heater and a gas dryer as well. If you go with electric heat, then you’re going to want additional electric appliances. The best way to make your choice is to consider the price and your individual needs. Electric furnaces can be more expensive, but they are cheaper to run during the winter. Gas or oil furnaces can be a cheaper selection up front, but fuel expenses can be very high. If you have a bout of extremely frigid weather, you may need more fuel than normal. I think the biggest thing to consider is the annual AFUE ratings. The AFUE ratings tell every homeowner how much energy each particular furnace will use. These ratings are given in percentages. The higher the percentage, the greater efficiency in that machine. A typical furnace will usually have an AFUE rating somewhere around 70 or 80%. The best type of furnace will achieve 98 or 99% AFUE ratings. A furnace with a 99% a few rating will use 99% of its electricity to heat your home. It’s a huge investment to buy such an energy-efficient furnace, but it is the right option for many homeowners.