6 Facts You Should Know About the Furnace Installation Process
One of the most vital aspects of a high-performing furnace is proper installation by a professional furnace installation specialist. According to Energy.gov, home and business owners can save between 10-30% by having their heating and cooling equipment like furnaces, A/C systems, and thermometers installed correctly.
As a result, it’s valuable to have a solid understanding of what to expect from the furnace installation process, and likewise, how you can conserve on energy.
At Modern HVAC, we understand that the furnace installation process can be complicated when it comes to technical terminology and expertise. That’s why we want you to be fully informed of everything that takes place during the furnace installation process!
Let’s go over everything you should know.
Should I Handle the Furnace Installation Process Myself?
To start, we highly recommend that you have a professional local technician you trust perform your furnace installation. This is because special training is required since every HVAC unit has its own design requirements that match it to the space inside of a home or building.
So while you can DIY it, (if the state you live in permits it), it’s essential to understand that improper furnace installation is a lot less efficient, potentially unsafe to operate, and may cost you more in the future due to problems with the initial installation.
By contrast, a local professional furnace installation technician has all the certification and knowledge required to handle the project safely and correctly.
Need a professional furnace installation ASAP? please give our knowledgeable team a call at (920) 733-4713 or fill out our online contact form here. Modern HVAC provides FREE estimates and FREE second opinions to furnace owners throughout the Fox Cities!
6 Facts To Know About the Furnace Installation Process
Ok, let’s talk about the 6 facts you should know about furnace installation.
If your furnace is starting to show signs of needing a replacement, it’s time to invest in a new one. From proper furnace size to proper maintenance, here are six things to know about the furnace installation process:
1. Know Which Type of Furnace is Best for Your Home
When deciding on the right type of furnace, you should know which of the three different types of furnace is best for your home. These include gas, oil, and electric furnaces:
- Gas-Powered Furnaces: This is the most common furnace type for many households. Gas furnaces rely on natural gas for heating. Their popularity stems from their significant efficiency when it comes to converting fuel to heat.
- Oil-Powered Furnaces: While not as common as gas furnaces, oil furnaces are often found in older properties or areas where natural gas isn’t readily accessible. They offer a solution for homes off the natural gas grid.
- Electric-Powered Furnaces: Utilizing electricity for heat, these furnaces may not reach the efficiency levels of their gas counterparts, but they do boast lower upfront costs. Electric furnaces are particularly suited for areas with warmer climates or for homes where heating is not heavily relied upon.
Questions on the type of furnace you should invest in? Contact the Modern HVAC team at (920) 733-4713 and we’ll go through each option and which is best suited for your home or business.
2. Furnaces Should Be Properly Sized to Your Home’s Square Footage
You don’t necessarily need a larger furnace to effectively heat your home or business. Rather, your furnace should be chosen according to the square footage of your home.
During this step, other factors to consider for this step of the furnace installation process include:
- Type of furnace you choose
- Climate you live in
- Quality of insulation and ductwork
- How many windows you have in your home
- Checking gas lines and electrical wiring for proper setup
Choosing the wrong size of furnace model will result in lower efficiency and a less comfortable environment in your home.
We highly recommend discussing your furnace brand, model, size, and type with an HVAC professional to see what works best with your home’s square footage. A furnace installer will assess the size of your home and the various factors that go into choosing the proper furnace size.
Read More: What to Know Before Installing a New Furnace
3. Your Ductwork & Air Vent Condition Should Be Professionally Inspected
As part of the furnace installation process, your HVAC installer should perform an inspection of your home’s ductwork and air vents. If your ducts are sealed poorly, it can result in significant energy loss. Additionally, debris can lower your furnace’s efficiency and overall performance.
A trusted furnace installer will ensure that your air ducts are completely unobstructed and sealed properly before performing a furnace installation.
While duct cleaning and sealing is a completely extra step/expense, depending on the current condition of your air ducts, you may benefit from the long-term savings.
For more info, read more information here about cleaning air ducts in your home.
4. You Should Invest in a Programmable Thermostat
To help conserve on both energy and money, you should invest in a programmable thermostat. This type of thermostat allows you to set a schedule for the furnace.
For example, if you’re at work for most of the day while you’re at work, you can switch your settings, and then switch back before you drive back home.
Some furnace models permit custom settings for certain days of the week or weekends. For more information, please read here about the benefits of having a programmable thermostat.
For maximum savings, your HVAC technician will install the unit away from lighting, appliances, fireplaces, a window, or a register. If you have any questions about optimal thermostat placement, be sure to inquire with your HVAC technician!
Related: 10 Things to Check Before Calling an HVAC Technician
5. Have Your Furnace Installation Completed by a Professional
We mentioned this earlier in the article as well, but it’s important to always have your furnace installation performed by a skilled furnace technician.
Professional HVAC technicians are fully licensed and have the proper permits to perform a furnace installation. Additionally, furnace installers always follow a detailed installation process, have all the required parts on hand, and always ensure that your ducts and air vents are in good working condition before beginning work.
It’s also worth noting that an HVAC professional can help you understand the furnace’s operating manual and give you tips for proper care and maintenance of your unit.
6. Perform Routine Furnace Maintenance
Assuming you’ve opted for a professional furnace installation, your new furnace should work properly without any hiccups. However, your furnace installer will likely give you pointers for how to care for your new furnace.
Performing routine maintenance and tune-ups, such as replacing an air filter, checking the pilot light, cleaning off dust and debris, and vacuuming out the vents are all relatively easy steps for any DIY enthusiast to perform on your own.
Also, be sure to schedule an annual inspection to ensure that your furnace is running smoothly. The reason you’ll need yearly maintenance checkups is to assess the condition of your electrical connections, gas lines, and condensate drains. Regular tune-ups will ensure that everyone in your home stays safe from any possibility of fire or carbon monoxide exposure.
Finally, as your furnace gets older, your technician will inform you of things to watch out for, such as when your furnace short cycles. A professional furnace installer can also help you know whether a simple repair is needed, or whether you need a furnace replacement. Calculate your estimated furnace replacement cost here.
Read More: Signs Your Furnace Needs a Replacement
What to Expect When Hiring Modern HVAC for a Furnace Installation?
If you decide to go the route of having the experts at Modern HVAC handle the process, here’s what to expect:
Discussion on Project Details
Prior to beginning the work, our technicians will discuss and address any questions you might have about the furnace installation process. This conversation will cover the equipment and accessories involved, if any, and provide information about the specific furnace model being installed.
Prepare the Work Area for the Technicians to Work Safely
Before your furnace installation technician comes out to your location, you should ensure the space where the furnace installation will take place is ready.
Remove furniture and any items that could cause tripping to create a safe working environment. Our technicians will also let you know if anything is obstructing our work area.
Laying Down Floor Coverings
To help safeguard your flooring and maintain cleanliness, we will lay down protective floor coverings in the work area. These coverings are designed to protect the surface of your floors from dirt and potential damage during the installation process.
Conducting Safety Inspections Before Installation
The Modern HVAC team will carry out essential safety inspections to ensure a safe installation process. This includes turning off electrical breakers, gas lines, and fuel lines to prevent accidents.
Additionally, we’ll check the installation area for any obstructions that could hinder the process.
Removal of Existing Furnace Equipment
The actual installation process kicks off with the removal of your old furnace. We will carefully disconnect the old unit from venting systems, electrical connections, gas lines, ductwork, and other related components.
Installation of the New Furnace
With the old furnace removed, we proceed to install the new model. After positioning the new furnace, we will seal it and reestablish connections to venting, electrical, and gas lines.
Once installed, we conduct a comprehensive test to ensure the new furnace is operating correctly.
Planning for Future Maintenance
To extend the lifespan of your new furnace and maintain its efficiency, it’s recommended to schedule regular maintenance checks. Clean the area thoroughly to minimize dust and debris.
Setting up a maintenance plan with your HVAC service provider will help keep your furnace in top condition for years to come.
Related: What to Do When Your Furnace is Leaking?
Furnace Installation Process: FAQs
More than likely, a professional furnace installation expert will handle the installation process, but here are the steps that you should be aware of, even if you are a homeowner watching the process. First, the furnace installer will check that there is enough venting to help circulate any carbon monoxide and push it outside of the home. Next, the installer will ensure that the area is clear prior to beginning the installation. Next, they will position the new furnace into place and begin the installation process, which includes the electrical connections, gas line installations, draining the unit, and lastly, test running it.
A common question we get is how long does it take to take out and install a new furnace? Typically, in a residential home, you can expect your furnace installation to take between 4-8 hours. Keep in mind that this various depending on the complexity of the job, or to properly set up ductwork, or make adjustments to the electrical and gas line modifications when installing the new furnace. Once the furnace installation process is complete, be sure to ask your HVAC technician any questions you may have.
Yes! Usually a furnace can be installed in one day. However, we just need to make sure that the existing ductwork in your home is in good shape (doesn’t require a repair or a replacement). Another factor is the size of the unit that we’re installing. Assuming the ductwork looks good, it’ll take us between 4 to 8 hours to install your furnace.
Typically, it takes two licensed HVAC technicians to properly install a furnace in your home or business. Ideally, we have two installers on the job since sharp metals, heavy objects, and power tools will be utilized during the installation. At Modern HVAC, we want to provide our best installation services to you, so it’s wise to have a couple technicians on the job (for smaller, safer jobs we have one technician stop out at your location).
Have Modern HVAC Handle the Furnace Installation Process!
At Modern HVAC, we care about the entire furnace installation process from start to finish! Your trust in our work is our top priority. We are proud to consistently receive great Facebook and Google reviews from our valued customers throughout Appleton and the Fox Valley area.
If you need to schedule a furnace repair or a complete furnace replacement, do not hesitate to contact our team at (920) 733-4713.
Our Service Area
Modern HVAC serves Appleton, Neenah, Menasha, Darboy, Kimberly, Kaukauna, and Greenville. Have a home or business that needs a furnace installation? Let us help with the furnace installation process!
At Modern HVAC, we provide both FREE estimates and FREE second opinions for heating and furnaces. To get started, please schedule an appointment online, or give our team a call directly!