You’re having a new furnace installed. Maybe it’s something you’ve been considering for years, or maybe the idea popped into your head this morning. Perhaps your new furnace is being installed out of pure necessity, a replacement for an older model that has finally broken down. On the other hand, maybe you’re seeking to improve the energy efficiency of your home and are installing an ENERGY STAR® furnace to that end.
Whatever the reason for your new furnace installation, you probably have some questions. Specifically, who will be doing the installation work? What are their qualifications? How do you find the right person for the job? Below, we’ll try to answer a few of those questions.
What You Should Know About Furnace Installation
Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning—hereafter HVAC—are all related technologies that are usually handled by the same professionals. All of them relate to the movement of air and heat throughout your home.
As you might expect, your furnace is the “heating” part of your HVAC system, but it’s also connected to your ventilation and may be connected to your air conditioning as well.
After all, the air in your home has to be carried from room to room by a series of vents, whether it’s being heated by a furnace or cooled by an air conditioner.
Most HVAC systems are incredibly complex, featuring parts that are mechanical, electrical, and even chemical.
For this reason, it’s critical that your HVAC system is always in the hands of a highly qualified professional. According to this link, https://www.housepro.net/furnace-repair-houston/, there are certain warning signs that says your furnace needs immediate attention. You need to watch out for them and fix the loopholes before they get problematic.
Your HVAC Professional
Anyone working with technologies as complicated as your HVAC systems will need to be qualified, educated, and experienced. Click here for a professional in Toronto.
Think about it: your new furnace installation will need to be handled by someone who understands all the various components. These may be electrical, natural gas, or any combination thereof. If you’re having a new furnace installed, you’re likely going to work a number of HVAC professionals, including an engineer and an installer, and later, for maintenance, a technician.
You’ll want to look for a company that has all of these professionals on staff. You also want a company that’s been in business for a long time. This speaks to their reliability, as well as to the experience of their staff. As an example, Entek HVAC has been in business since 1946, which stands as a testament to their success in the industry.
The Types of Furnaces
The advent of modern heating technology has left homeowners with a wealth of choices for heating their homes. When opting for a new furnace installation, you’ll have a big decision to make. This decision will affect you throughout the year, in all aspects from your energy bill to the comfort and air quality of your home.
You’ll have to consider what type of furnace you want to have installed, and there are several factors you’ll need to take into account first. For example, are you interested in maximizing your energy efficiency? If so, you might choose to opt for a ductless heat pump. This is an advanced type of heating system that moves heat from outside into the various rooms of your home.
Other factors will also affect your decision. For example, if you live in a particularly cold climate, you’ll need to opt for a furnace that can burn very hot and heat up quickly.
People living in extremely cold climates may need to have a propane furnace installed in their homes. Of course, how easily your HVAC installer can do this will depend on whether your house is already set up for propane.
Some homeowners also opt to have multiple systems installed. For example, you might choose to have a ductless heat pump for the majority of the year and a propane furnace that’s only turned on during the coldest winter nights.
Who Will Help Design My Furnace System?
A qualified HVAC engineer will help to make sure you get the right-sized furnace for your space and make sure your system is designed to be effective and efficient in your home. For example, a furnace that’s too small will really struggle to heat a larger home. On the other hand, one that’s too big might prove to be a waste of money.
How do you know if you’re working with a qualified engineer? The laws regarding the certifications an HVAC engineer should have will vary, depending upon the city and state.
Nevertheless, regardless of whether it’s legally required or not, you’ll always want an engineer who carries a Building Energy Assessment Professional certification from the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning (ASHRAE).
Who Will Complete My New Furnace Installation?
Some homeowners opt to attempt to install their own furnaces. Their reasons for doing so are understandable. A furnace is a big purchase, and they may think they can save money by doing the work themselves. Nevertheless, unless you happen to be a trained HVAC installer, attempting to DIY your installation isn’t recommended.
There are several reasons why the new furnace installation should be handled by professionals. Primarily, the actual installation process is a complex one and involves multiple redundancies to ensure the safety of the installer and the home.
For example, furnaces need to be installed in areas where they won’t pose a fire hazard. They’ll also need to be able to drain properly. They should never be placed directly upon a floor and should always have an HVAC drain pan in place.
There should always be at least a rubber pad between the floor and the furnace. And if new ductwork is required, it’s best to have someone experienced complete the necessary construction.
After an engineer helps you choose the right furnace and the proper location, your installer will carefully connect all the parts. That means connecting electricity, a thermostat, and if necessary, a gas main. Your HVAC professional will then connect all the proper ducts to your new furnace.
Who Will Repair and Maintain My Furnace After Installation?
After your HVAC installer has installed your new furnace, you’ll want to get the company back for regular maintenance. A reputable company will have NATE-certified technicians (NATE stands for North American Technician Excellence). This means you can be confident they’ll take good care of your HVAC system and home.
Over time, your furnace may lose some of its efficiency, as your ducts become blocked by dust and dirt or develop leaks. Your HVAC technician will help keep these ducts clear and can seal the leaks if that’s something you’re interested in.
This will keep your air quality high and your energy bill low. They’ll also make sure your thermostat is in good working order. A faulty thermostat can make it a real struggle to keep a home comfortable.
And, of course, if there are other repairs required, your HVAC technician can perform these as well.
Final Thoughts…
If you are thinking of having your furnace replaced the preceding tips should help you understand the process better. Are you ready to update your furnace and make your home more comfortable?
