One of the biggest challenges homeowners face with furnace replacement is knowing how to ensure they get a proper installation. Many homeowners don’t know who to trust, especially when they aren’t familiar with the intricacies of HVAC systems (nor should they be). When replacing your furnace, a smooth installation ensures that your home remains comfortable and your heating system performs efficiently. Let’s discuss four things every homeowner should know before furnace installation.
- A Pre-evaluation Prevents Potential Installation Issues
A pre-evaluation is key to a successful furnace replacement, as it examines all the factors that affect your new heating system’s performance and efficiency. Here is how it lays the groundwork for a well-organized replacement plan:
Properly Assesses Home Needs: The pre-evaluation process closely examines your home’s size, layout, insulation, and current ductwork. This detailed assessment helps determine the exact furnace capacity and type you need, ensuring your new system perfectly matches your home’s heating requirements.
Spots Existing Issues: Evaluation can address problems with your current setup, such as previous poor installation or duct leaks. Tackling these issues beforehand ensures your new furnace will run smoothly, allowing you to avoid future hiccups.
Informs Cost Estimates: A thorough pre-evaluation offers a detailed breakdown of the replacement, including the cost of the furnace and potential repairs needed. A pre-evaluation helps you budget and plan your financing needs.
Provides Opportunities to Plan Comfort Enhancements: This process can help pinpoint and inform homeowners of specific features or upgrades that can enhance comfort and efficiency, such as advanced controls or zoning features (features that regulate and redirect air to particular home areas).
Pre-evaluation helps homeowners better understand the steps needed to ensure a smooth process in replacing their furnaces. All aspects of the home are carefully considered, leading to a new heating system that meets your needs and performs reliably.
2. Quality Ductwork Saves Time and Money
Ductwork, the tubes that move air from the home’s heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) equipment into your living spaces, can lead to significant energy loss when poorly designed or installed. According to Energy Star, 20 to 30 percent of the air that moves through a typical duct system is lost due to leaks, holes, and poorly connected ducts.
On the other hand, properly installed and well-maintained ducts ensure that heated air is distributed evenly throughout the home, helping to maintain consistent temperatures and reducing hot and cold spots. Ensuring your ductwork is appropriately designed, sealed, and sized is crucial to your HVAC installation. A well-installed system maximizes efficiency and keeps your home comfortable.
Quality ductwork also extends the lifespan of your new furnace. Properly designed and installed ducts reduce strain on the furnace, allowing it to operate with less wear and tear. Correctly installed ducts improve the furnace’s performance and minimize the need for frequent repairs or replacements. By ensuring ducts are in top shape, homeowners can guarantee that their heating system operates optimally, providing reliable and cost-effective heating for years to come.
- How to Identify Improper Installation
According to an article from the home services platform Angi, studies show that up to 90% of HVAC systems are installed with some form of error. These issues can range from minor mistakes (like incorrect thermostat placement) to significant problems (such as improperly sized HVAC systems). Inefficiencies can drive up your energy bills and reduce your comfort, undermining the advantages of a new, high-efficiency furnace.
If you have any of the following issues after a furnace replacement, call the HVAC company that installed your furnace or contact Precision Comfort Systems for a second opinion.
- High Energy Bills: An unexpected spike in your energy bills after a new furnace installation might suggest that the system is not operating efficiently, possibly due to poor installation or a subpar system.
- Frequent Cycling: If your furnace frequently turns on and off, it could be a sign that the unit is not sized correctly for your home or that the thermostat was not installed or calibrated properly.
- Poor Airflow: Weak or inconsistent airflow from your vents could indicate problems with the ductwork or that the furnace’s blower motor wasn’t correctly installed or adjusted.
- Difficulty Maintaining Temperature: If your home struggles to reach or maintain the set temperature, this could be a sign that the furnace was not installed properly, affecting its ability to perform efficiently.
- Visible Installation Issues: Look for any visible signs of poor workmanship, such as improperly sealed ductwork, loose wiring, or poor placement of the thermostat or furnace itself. These can be telltale signs that the installation wasn’t up to standard.
- Frequent Breakdowns: If your new furnace requires frequent repairs shortly after installation, it might indicate that the initial installation was not done correctly, leading to premature wear and tear.
- Beware of the Buy One, Get One Free (BOGO) Myth
You might come across a tempting offer to “buy one, get one free.” While this deal sounds enticing, digging deeper and understanding the potential pitfalls is essential. One potential “catch” with these BOGO deals is all in the math. For example, let’s say an air conditioner typically costs around $5,000, and a furnace runs $3,000. The company then offers $8,000 for the air conditioner alone, cleverly bundling the cost of the furnace into that price to make it seem like you’re getting a “free” unit. Another tactic is to obscure the actual costs of installation and labor. The offer only covers the equipment in these cases, so your installation costs are separate, effectively ratcheting up the price.
BOGO “deals” are often misleading, drawing homeowners in with the promise of savings while hiding the various restrictions that impact the HVAC system’s final costs. Reading the fine print of the terms and conditions is vital. Be sure to fully understand what the company offers with a BOGO deal to avoid surprises and ensure you get a deal that’s genuinely worth your investment.
Contact the HVAC Experts that Your Neighbor’s Trust
At Precision Comfort Systems, we understand that navigating furnace replacement can be intimidating. That’s why we’re committed to guiding you through the process with expertise and transparency, from pre-evaluation to final installation.
Located in Westfield, Indiana, we’re the hometown team for your neighbors on the north side of Indianapolis, including Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville, and Zionsville. If you’re ready to replace your furnace or have concerns about a recent installation, don’t hesitate to contact us to schedule a consultation.