Having a good idea of what to expect during a furnace installation can help you prepare for the project. Most furnaces take only a day or two to install. However, there are a variety of factors that can impact the overall timeline, including the complexity of the setup. Having a professional do the installation is the safest and best way to ensure your home stays warm and comfortable. For most homes, the project will take anywhere from 16 to 18 hours.
HVAC Sizing and Assessment: 1-2 Hours
A thorough evaluation and sizing of the HVAC system is the first stage in installing a furnace. Important factors to consider at this stage are the home’s size, insulation and the quantity of windows and doors. To optimize efficiency, technicians may utilize tools like Manual J calculations to determine the right furnace size. An incorrectly sized furnace will lead to energy loss, insufficient warmth and excessive wear and tear.
Removing the Old Furnace: 2-4 Hours
Depending on the kind and state of the current heater, removing it usually takes two to four hours. A large part of the time goes toward carefully disconnecting the electricity and fuel lines. Having a well-seasoned crew on hand is crucial for this work since it might require some heavy lifting. Problems with the previous unit, such as corrosion or breakage, can make the removal more difficult.
Preparing the Installation Site: 1-2 Hours
This step involves making sure the installation site is ready for the new furnace. The most common areas to install a furnace are basements, utility rooms and attics. It is very important that the floor be able to hold the weight of the new unit. The installer may reinforce the floor’s structure to increase its load-bearing capacity. Ensuring there is enough space around the furnace for maintenance and safety is another part of getting the site ready.
Placing the New Furnace: 1-2 Hours
The installer will place the new furnace so that it can easily connect to the preexisting ducting and power (gas, oil or electric) supplies. This step also entails ensuring the unit is level and properly installed according to local building requirements. As long as the site is properly prepared, this step is straightforward. The installer may use brackets to anchor the HVAC in place to make it more secure.
Connecting the Fuel/Power Supply Lines: 1-2 Hours
Once in place, the technician will connect the unit to its power/fuel supply. This one- to two-hour part requires extra precautions when making these connections to guarantee their safety and conformity with all applicable standards. The connections must be secure to avoid gas leaks and electrical troubles. If you’re present for the installation, you’ll likely see the installer double-check all power connections.
Securing All Electrical Connections: 1-2 Hours
HVAC systems have several electrical connections. Even gas furnaces use electricity to operate their control boards, relays, blower motor and electronic ignition. Electric furnaces typically use a 240V circuit. Your heater’s thermostat uses electricity as well. Safety controls on furnaces, including limit and pressure switches, also need electricity to function correctly. Most installers can complete all of the electrical connections in about one to two hours.
Ductwork Installation/Modification: 2-4 Hours
The time it takes to install or modify ductwork depends on the new furnace’s specifications and the home’s current ducting. To maximize airflow and efficiency, this step may include fixing, sealing or even replacing components of the duct system. In homes that have poorly designed or severely damaged ductwork, the installer may recommend going ductless.
Ventilation Setup: 1-3 Hours
Professionals will set up or adjust the ventilation system to ensure the house can safely get rid of exhaust fumes. This is particularly important for homes that use gas furnaces. A buildup of carbon monoxide from using a gas furnace poses serious health risks. Good ventilation is also pertinent to the heater’s energy use. A home with optimal ventilation will enjoy cheaper heating bills.
Thermostat Installation: 1 Hour
Installing the thermostat normally takes less than an hour. It entails wiring the thermostat to the heating system and doing a quick calibration. The effectiveness of the furnace relies heavily on this setup process since the thermostat serves as its primary control element.
Air Filter Installation: 30 Minutes
The installer will likely turn off the furnace to install the air filter. It is common practice to measure the filter slot to ensure the right filter is being used. To install the air filter correctly, the expert will follow the arrows on the filter.
System Testing: 1-2 Hours
The technician will turn on and test the furnace after installing it and verifying all the connections. This test phase consists of evaluating the heater’s operation, airflow and efficiency. The technician does this by monitoring the unit’s performance and listening for strange sounds. A clicking noise could indicate a faulty ignition system. A rattling noise might mean the blower motor isn’t properly aligned.
Adjusting Settings: 1 Hour
Once the testing phase is over, the professional will spend about an hour fine-tuning the furnace’s settings. To maximize airflow, he might adjust the dampers. To guarantee proper thermostat settings, he will compare multiple temperature readings throughout the home.
Safety Checks: 1 Hour
There are multiple safety checks the expert will perform to make your home safer. Using a gas leak detector helps the technician identify any hidden gas leaks. Testing the limit switch makes sure the heater turns off in the event it overheats.
Final Clean-Up: 1 Hour
The clean-up phase entails clearing the home of any packaging and debris left over from the installation. When you choose Loves Air for your installation, you can rest assured that we will leave your home just as we found it. We understand the importance of treating your home like it’s our own and not leaving any hazards behind.
Customer Walkthrough: 30 Minutes
The last stage of installing a furnace is a customer walk-through, which usually takes about 30 minutes. Your installer will go over everything you need to know to get the most out of your new furnace. He’ll cover everything from programming the thermostat to doing routine maintenance like filter changes. This is the perfect time to ask any questions you may have about the new furnace.
Other Factors That Can Affect Installation Timeline
There are a variety of factors that can impact how long it takes to install a new furnace. You should allow extra time if you want the heater synced with a home automation system. The installer will need an hour or two to verify the heater’s connection with other devices. Permit requirements are another factor to consider. It can take days or weeks sometimes to get the proper permits. This is why it’s always a good idea to plan ahead for your next heating service.
Loves Air is here to meet all of your furnace installation needs. We also install air conditioners and water heaters. To improve your home’s airflow, we offer duct sealing. Call us now to schedule a furnace installation for your home in Salida, CA.
