A new furnace installation is an exciting time when you can look forward to greater comfort and reduced energy costs. If this will be the first furnace installation you have scheduled for your home, you probably have some questions about what will happen on the day of installation. Here is a step-by-step guide to residential furnace installation so that you know exactly what to expect.
Step 1: Pre-install Checks
Your HVAC technician will have a list of tasks to complete before they install your new furnace to ensure that the process can be completed safely and efficiently. Prior to your installation, your HVAC contractor should perform a load calculation for your household to ensure that your new furnace is the right size for optimal efficiency.
Removing the old furnace from your home and moving the new unit inside is generally the most labor-intensive part of the installation process. Your contractor will shut off power to your old furnace at the breaker; disconnect all air ducts, gas lines, and wiring; and use a dolly or a team of two to carry the unit outside.
Step 2: Connecting the New Furnace
Connecting fuel, power, and ductwork to your new furnace is usually straightforward, but sometimes additional steps are required. Occasionally, your installers may need to resize the furnace air duct connections or install a new chimney flue liner after the old furnace has been removed. In rare cases, a new furnace may necessitate a new central air conditioner as well to maintain compatibility between these appliances.
Step 3: Testing the System
Testing the HVAC system after a furnace installation is important to demonstrate that the system meets its intended energy efficiency. Post-install testing is sometimes called commissioning the furnace. Your technicians will pressurize the system and run it for a few minutes to collect and analyze data on its operation.
Analyzing variables such as voltage used, gas or oil pressure, air pressure, and the temperature rise in the home gives HVAC contractors a good idea of how the system will perform in the future. If these variables are within the expected margins, you will have assurance that your new furnace is performing at peak efficiency and your technicians can give you a tour of your new furnace.
Residential furnace installation is an essential service that should always be left to a qualified technician. When it's time to install a new furnace in your home, rely on the experience of a local HVAC contracting business to get the job done right!
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