What to Expect From New Furnace Installation
When it’s time to shop for a new furnace, you’ll probably have a lot of questions about what you can expect. Since furnaces can last for many years, most people don’t actually have a lot of experience with new furnace installation. Many people have never had this service performed or they have but many years ago. Nevertheless, it’s a critical service when it is required, so we’re here to help answer all your questions about getting a new furnace for your home.
First, Ask If You Really Need a New Furnace
Before you begin shopping around for a new furnace, you should first make sure it’s actually what you need. In some cases, you might think your furnace isn’t functioning at its highest capacity when all it needs is a tune-up. If your furnace isn’t providing heat, it might simply be because the thermostat isn’t working properly. Get an HVAC professional to replace it, and that may in fact be all you need to do.
If your furnace is suffering from reduced airflow or not getting the home as warm as it used to, it might be on the fritz, or it may be that your home simply has clogged ducts. Once again, a professional can clean these ducts for you and buy more life in your old furnace.
It’s also possible that your HVAC professional may tell you that your furnace needs to be replaced or that you wish to upgrade to a newer, more energy-efficient model. If this is the case, it’s time to do some research.
Know What Options You Have
These days, there are more options than ever in terms of heating technology. In the old days, the only real options for heating your home were with propane, oil, wood, or natural gas—and indeed, these old stalwarts are still going strong. But now there are many more options. Electric heating has become popular, as it doesn’t require a connection to a gas main. Utilizing electricity to heat your home directly can be quite expensive, however.
Heat pumps are steadily gaining in popularity due to their energy efficiency, although they do come with a higher up-front cost. These utilize heat from the outdoor environment, which is transferred into the home. This makes them an excellent option for saving money on your utility bill, although heat pumps tend not to be able to get as warm as other furnace types.
Making the Right Choice for Your Home
Determining what to expect with new furnace installation will vary a great deal based upon where you are having it installed. The first and most obvious factor is size: a larger home will require a larger furnace, while a smaller one will require a smaller furnace. This detail is crucial because if the wrong size furnace is installed, it will have a negative effect on your energy bill. A furnace that is too small for the home will be forced to remain on constantly, driving up the cost of its use. One that is too large will cost more to utilize in general.
The existing infrastructure of a house will also impact the final cost of your furnace installation. Does your home already have a system of ductwork in place? If not, and if the furnace you are considering requires it, you will have to have that installed as well. Similarly, do you have the ventilation in place to allow waste gases to be removed safely? If not, that is another element of installation that you’ll need to consider when thinking about the costs.
Think About Optional Features
When you’re looking into new furnace installation, you’ll also have some optional features you can consider. One piece of modern technology that’s become greatly popular among homeowners is the programmable thermostat. This can make using your new furnace easier than ever. You can set your heating schedule ahead of time and forget about it. For example, with a programmable thermostat, you can set your heater to start a short while before you get back from work so that the house is nice and warm when you arrive.
Other optional features include built-in humidifiers, which can help to offset the dryness in the air that a heater creates. Air purifiers will help to destroy toxic mold spores, bacteria, and viruses that cause disease while electronic ignition can save you on fuel by starting the furnace using electricity. Modern furnaces can even come equipped with Wi-Fi, so you can easily control your heating with your smartphone.
The Installation Process
When you’re considering a new furnace installation, contact the professionals at Entek Heating and Cooling and ask us to get the process started. Your HVAC professional can do an inspection of your home ahead of time, allowing us to give you recommendations about what the best furnace for your home is and what optional features you can opt for.
With the help of the professionals at Entek, you can come to a decision about what furnace you’ll have installed and what features you’ll choose. Finally, the installation process can begin in earnest. The actual installation can take up to eight hours, so you will need to set a full day aside for your HVAC installer to get the job done. Once the job is complete, make sure there is no clutter around your furnace that can pose a hazard before switching your new furnace on for the first time.
As with any other appliance, your furnace will require occasional maintenance, which the professionals at Entek can perform for you. Periodically—around once a year or so—you’ll need to have your ducts cleaned, your filters replaced, and each component of your furnace inspected for normal wear and tear. With proper maintenance and care, your new furnace will keep you warm for many years to come.