If your furnace is getting old, it may be time to replace it before it fails and leaves you shivering. If you have small kids, you are probably even more concerned about making sure your furnace makes it through another rough winter. A heating contractor can advise you on the need for a new furnace and also recommend the right kind and size. You might want to have additional accessories installed at the same time, especially if you want to keep your kids comfortable and the air in your home clean. Here are some options to discuss with your heating contractor. 

Zoned Heating Controls

A zoned system is ideal because it lets you control the temperature in different parts of the house independently. This can help you save money while keeping everyone comfortable. You may prefer to sleep with the temperature turned down low for savings and snuggling comfort. At the same time, you may prefer to keep your kids' rooms warmer since kids have a tendency to kick blankets off at night. A zoned system can help you achieve this by allowing you to sleep in cool comfort while your kids stay nice and warm.

Air Purifier

If you're concerned about the air quality in your home, you may want to have an air cleaner installed on your furnace when you get a new one. You might want this if you've recently remodeled and are worried about outgassing of new carpet or new vinyl flooring. Air cleaners can remove gas contaminants and odors from your home as well as viruses, mold spores, dust, smoke, and pollen depending on the type of air purifier you have installed. One of these could keep your home smelling fresh and remove many respiratory irritants.

Humidifier

A humidifier adds moisture to the air in your home so it isn't so dry. The moisture is introduced into the air stream from the furnace so it is distributed through your house. You can set the degree of humidity you want to protect your wood furniture from drying out and make the air gentler on your respiratory tract. If you have trouble tolerating dry air and have symptoms such as dry skin, a scratchy throat, or if your kids have nosebleeds when the air is too dry, then a furnace humidifier might help. Since it connects to a water supply line, it is much more convenient than always having to fill up a room humidifier.

You'll have a lot of decisions to make when it's time to choose your new heating system. If someone in your family has allergies, or if you have small kids, air quality could be an important deciding factor in the unit and accessories you choose to have installed.