Best Time to Buy A New Furnace: Don’t Burn Your Dollars

Have you ever bought something expensive, only to see it in the sales a week later?

I know the feeling. After being denied a discount on a furnace after buying it for full price the week before, I’ve been scorned by a certain large home store! To help fight back, I’ve looked at the best time of the year to buy a furnace, in the hopes you won’t miss out on savings.

Please Don’t Burn Your Dollars!

Most people think that furnace prices only drop during winter. Seems logical right?

Wrong!

I was surprised too!

If you want to find the best times for buying most products, take a look at our special clearance calendar. It shows you the best months, as well as holidays, during which you can buy your favourite products.

Furnaces fall in the category of large appliances. So in the calendar you’ll see that the best time to shop for a furnace is during May, September, and October.

These months also coincide with Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Halloween. As you go through this post, you’ll learn more about why these months are best for buying new furnaces.

May isn’t very far! So get ready to buy a new furnace without burning your dollars.

The Best Time To Buy A New Furnace

I suggest that you buy a new furnace during spring.

Why?

First off, the demand for furnaces and HVAC systems in early spring falls steeply. Because many people make the mistake of replacing these during peak season.

Also, during spring people are gearing up to buy air-conditioners. Yet another reason furnaces are available for a much lower price.

Another great time of the year to benefit from low demand is fall. A prelude to the winters. So, you can take advantage of these two opportunities in the year to buy your furnace at a great price.

Can You Negotiate Furnace Prices?

Negotiation is an art. Not everyone is skilled at it.

This is why many people give in to the buyer’s demands. Furnace sellers have a knack for knowing how much you’re willing to pay. The best salespeople know it as soon as you enter their store!

So you really need to up your negotiation and bargaining game.

The first thing you should do is to determine that kind of furnace you want. You can also search for a specific model online.

This way, you’ll know what you want and the salesperson won’t be able to push overpriced products on you that you don’t really need.

Moreover, the only way you can really negotiate with a salesperson is if you’ve properly researched the actual prices of each product being shown to you. By doing this, you’ll be able to counter the seller’s demand.

They’ll know that you came prepared and won’t try to take you for a ride. At least not as easily as they’d thought.

Most importantly, you have to exude confidence and take command of the situation. You can even practice the scenario in front of the mirror a couple of times. I’m just kidding (or am I?).

What’s The Average Cost Of Furnace Installation?

The unit price isn’t the only cost of your furnace that you’ll have to pay. You also need to take installation costs into account.

Since we’re discussing how you can buy a new furnace at the lowest price, let’s also talk about the average cost of furnace installation.

Typically, furnace installation can cost anywhere between $3,500 and $4,500. Then add other expenses like administrative costs, inspection fees, installation equipment, and the warranty reserve.

Now you’re looking at $5,000 to $8,000 on top of the unit price.

Quick Furnace Buyer’s Guide

I’ve also compiled a quick furnace buyer’s guide to help you choose the right furnace, at the right price of course.

Now let’s look at some factors to keep in mind when choosing the best furnace for your home.

What To Look For In A Furnace?

Efficiency

The first thing you need to examine is the furnace’s efficiency. This refers to its ability to heat up your home.

Another thing you should be careful of is whether the furnace is new or old. Don’t go for an old or used furnace. It can be expensive in terms of energy consumption.

Product Reviews

Product reviews tell it all. Look for reviews posted by customers on different reliable websites. This is all the more important if you’re buying a furnace online.

By reading what customers are saying about a particular furnace, you’ll be able to make a more informed decision.

Price

Start by setting your own budget. Once you have an idea of how much you can spend on buying a furnace and getting it installed, it’s much easier to find suitable options.

Size

Another key factor is the size of the furnace. If you’re looking to replace your current furnace, you can easily measure its size and buy a similar one.

Typically, size is determined by heat output, which is based on the insulation, ceiling height and number of windows in your house.

Also, physical size is important. You want a furnace that approximates closely to the old furnace. This makes the installation easier. Most newer furnaces will be shorter than the old one, but the depth is almost always the same. Furnaces come in four widths (with some exceptions). They are 14.5, 17.5. 21, 24.5 inches wide, often called A,B,C,D cabinets respectively. That letter is normally buried in the model number.

Fuel Source

Furnaces have three common types of fuel sources: electric, oil and gas. Make sure you choose the fuel source wisely.

Most people use a gas-powered furnace, which is the cheapest option. If you don’t have a gas supply, you can go for oil or electric-powered furnaces.

Electric furnaces are the cheapest to buy and install, but not quite effective.

Warranty Period

A furnace is a long-term investment. So it’s wise to choose one that comes with a longer warranty period, typically 10 years for gas furnaces, though the heat exchanger can carry a longer warranty (up to lifetime!).

Conclusion

Without a fully functioning furnace, winters can be quite unforgiving. But that doesn’t mean you empty your pockets to buy one.

By following the advice in this post, you can get a furnace at a great price. You can thank me when the winter season rolls around!

I hope this article helps choose the most suitable furnace at a very reasonable price.

If you want to learn more about the best times to buy different products, check out some of our other articles on our site.

Thank you for reading, and have a wonderful, warm day!

-Craig