We’re just about in the middle of the coldest time of the year. Now is no time to be stuck with a heater in disrepair, right? Though, if you’ve opened up a blog post about gas furnace installation or HVAC system replacement, there’s a good chance yours is. We totally get the temptation to rush into this purchase and installation, you likely would be fine with hiring anyone just to get your home gas furnace and HVAC system comfort back.
We really have to urge against this, however. There are a number of reasons you should only ever trust a professional for a job as big as gas furnace installation. There’s a lot of work that goes into it! Proper new furnace installation requires expertise to ensure the system operates safely and efficiently. More than you may even realize, and that work contributes to your comfort, heating efficiency, and your safety. The installation process of a gas furnace requires specialized training and tools, making it essential to rely on experienced professionals familiar with electrical systems, fuel lines, and thermostat calibration.
Keep reading as we uncover 3 important reasons you should trust a pro for your furnace installation, specially if a new furnace is your next upgrade. This is essential to ensure you are satisfied with the installation, and there are several important considerations when choosing a professional for new furnace installation upgrading your heating, and reducing your cost of operation.
Why should you hire a professional for new furnace installation or replacement?
- Removing the old furnace requires proper disconnection, safety checks, and precise alignment for the new unit
- Gas lines, ductwork, electrical wiring, and power connections must be installed accurately to ensure safe, efficient operation
- Post-installation testing is essential to verify airflow, combustion safety, and overall system performance
Types of Furnaces
When it’s time to replace your old furnace or install a new system, understanding your options is key to making the best choice for your home’s comfort and efficiency. The most common types of furnaces found in homes today are gas furnaces, oil furnaces, and electric furnaces, each with its own set of benefits and considerations.
Gas furnaces, which use natural gas or propane as fuel, are the top choice for many homeowners thanks to their impressive efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Modern gas furnaces come in a variety of models, including single-stage, two-stage, and advanced modulating units. High efficiency furnaces, especially those with AFUE ratings of 90% or higher, are designed to deliver consistent heating, minimize cold spots, and provide long term savings on your energy bills. If you’re upgrading your entire HVAC system, it’s important to ensure your new furnace is compatible with your existing air conditioner or heat pump. An experienced HVAC contractor can help you select the right model number and size for your square footage, ensuring your new furnace installation is a perfect fit for your home.
Oil furnaces are another option, particularly in areas where access to natural gas is limited. While oil furnaces can provide reliable heating, they tend to be less efficient and more expensive to operate than gas furnaces. Electric furnaces, on the other hand, are often chosen for smaller homes or as a backup heat source. However, they can lead to higher operating cost compared to gas units, especially in colder climates.
When selecting a new furnace, homeowners should consider several important factors: the size and insulation of their home, their budget, desired efficiency, and the potential for long term savings. Look for high efficiency furnaces with strong AFUE ratings, and factor in the cost of installation, future repairs, and the expected lifespan of the unit. Working with a reputable HVAC company ensures your furnace installation is done right, reducing the risk of problems down the road and maximizing your comfort. Homeowners can generally expect a new furnace to cost anywhere between $3,800 and $10,000, depending on the model and installation requirements.
Upgrading to an energy efficient furnace can also open the door to valuable tax credits and rebates, helping to offset the initial cost of your new system. Be sure to check with your local utility provider or government agency to see what incentives are available in your area. Many federal and state programs offer tax credits, rebates, or incentives for installing high-efficiency furnaces. By investing in a new, high efficiency furnace, you’ll enjoy a warmer, more energy efficient home, lower utility bills, and a reduced environmental footprint for years to come.
1. Why Removing Your Old Heater Is a Job for Pros
Sure, getting rid of any old heater may sound like a simple step, but we assure you it’s not as easy as you think. In fact, it’s typically the longest part of the installation process, and the most laborious. It’s about more than just sliding the old system from its former home, replacing the furnace unit may require adjustments to surrounding walls or other equipment to ensure a proper fit and optimal performance. If that system is connected to gas lines for instance, we have to make sure nothing is damaged or out of place.
We also need to make sure there’s enough space for your new furnace, and that the space is adequately prepared for a new heater installation. All equipment must be properly removed and the area cleared to accommodate the new furnace unit. Any potential safety hazards must be taken care of and we need to make sure your new furnace is properly powered for your living space. An overpowered heating system is just as detrimental to your comfort and heating efficiency as an underpowered system. Routine inspections during professional heating maintenance services help ensure systems remain properly configured and safe to operate. Verify if the new furnace is compatible with existing ductwork, and repair or replace old ducts if necessary to ensure optimal performance.
2. Correct Connections Are Critical for Furnace Safety
Once the process of installing a new furnace is complete, which often includes bolting it to the floor among other important details, our technicians need to connect it to the important components of your home for it to operate.
Essential among this is your ventilation system, your air ducts, which requires hooking the furnace up properly to all the connections of your ductwork without damaging it. Sometimes, ducts need to be adjusted and shift in order to make these connections, and this is where mistakes can occur.
Our installers then connect your furnace to its power source. The burners inside the furnace are responsible for igniting fuel and producing heat, which is then transferred to the heat exchanger and distributed throughout your home. As we alluded to above, making a connection to a gas line is something that needs to be done carefully.
Next is the wiring. Even gas-powered heating systems do have electrical wiring, and with the potential fire hazards that exist with this step, it’s easy to see why you should hire a pro. The thermostat plays a crucial role in controlling the furnace operation, detecting indoor temperature, and ensuring optimal heating performance by turning the system on or off as needed. A heat pump integrated into your hvac system may also rely on the same thermostat and electrical components for backup heating, making proper installation even more vital. Upgrading to a smart thermostat can further reduce costs and qualify for tax credits or rebates through energy-saving programs.
3. Furnace Testing Ensures Long-Term Reliability
This is the last step of the process, but certainly not the least important. If our techs left your home after making the last connection and just called it a day, you wouldn’t have any way of knowing if your furnace was operating as efficiently as it’s meant to, or as safely as it’s meant to. A post-installation review with the homeowner ensures you understand your new system and are comfortable with its operation. Homeowners should expect to be walked through the new equipment and how to maintain it after installation. Furnaces are frequently used during the coldest months, so thorough testing is essential to guarantee reliable performance.
Our pros will turn on your furnace and measure the intake and airflow to see that the performance is efficient, and ensure there are no potential hazards lurking. If you notice odd or unfamiliar smells at this stage, it’s worth knowing what furnace odors could indicate before dismissing them. They’ll also verify proper fuel pressure, heating output, and HVAC system balance to confirm that the gas furnace is running safely.
Ideally, all testing and review should be completed before the heating season begins to ensure your system is ready when you need it most. Testing also helps verify that your heat pump backup system is fully operational. By completing this process, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing your gas furnace and heating setup are safe, efficient, and compliant with modern energy standards. Many homeowners even find that upgrading and testing their new system helps them qualify for additional tax credits, rebates, and long-term cost savings. These incentives help offset the average installation cost while improving overall home comfort.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: Why should I trust a professional for furnace installation?
Answer: A pro brings experience and precision essential for safety, efficiency, and a reliable setup.
Question: What’s involved in removing the old furnace?
Answer: It’s not just sliding it out, professionals must safely detach gas lines, ensure no damage, clear space, and prep for the new unit.
Question: What kinds of connections must be made correctly during installation?
Answer: Technicians have to connect ductwork, gas lines, power wiring, and secure the furnace, all must be aligned perfectly to prevent leaks or hazards.
Question: What testing is done after installation?
Answer: The furnace is turned on and performance is measured (airflow, intake, efficiency) to verify it runs safely and as intended.
For expert Buford, GA HVAC services, look no further than Wall Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. Contact us today!