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What to Expect During a Furnace Installation?
If you’ve decided to replace an old, malfunctioning or inefficient furnace with a new and upgraded model, you’re likely making a good decision — but what will the installation process involve?
Installing any HVAC equipment is no DIY job and needs to be handled by a professional team with the right training and tools.
So, what should you expect during the furnace installation? Can you prepare anything beforehand to make it easier? How long will it take?
We cover all this and more so that you’re ready on the day of your new furnace installation.
What to do before the furnace installation
There are several steps you can take to prepare for the day of the installation.
If you work with Alpha Plumbing, someone from our team will already have visited your premises, examined the old furnace, measured up to check the size of the furnace installation location and performed a thorough assessment of your home to establish the type of furnace required.
We’ll assess the following, amongst other things:
- Insulation, number/size/quality of the windows and other factors that affect the required power of your furnace (load calculation).
- Ductwork: does it facilitate the efficient airflow from the furnace to air ducts and the return air supply to the blower motor?
- Gas lines and electrical wiring: is it compliant with regulations and ready for a new installation?
- Whether a new chimney flue liner or PVC drain line is required.
- Existing air conditioning equipment: this may affect the blower motor in the furnace.
Based on our assessment and your budget, our team will help you select a suitable new furnace that will avoid the most common problems experienced by Calgary homeowners. We’ll also pass on a few tips for how to lower your energy bills. If you’re investing in a new furnace, you want an energy-efficient home to get the maximum benefit.
Before the installation team arrives, clear the area surrounding your furnace to make room to work and ensure there is a clear path for our team to bring the furnace through to the installation location in your home.
You should plan to keep children and pets away from the work area until the installation team has finished and cleaned up.
What happens on the day of the installation?
Before work begins, your installation team will check that you’re getting the furnace (and accessories, if applicable) that you selected. Floor coverings will be placed around the installation location and safety checks will be conducted.
These usually include:
- Turning off any electrical breakers that run to the furnace
- Turning off the gas or fuel lines
- Checking the installation location for other hazardous materials or sharp/heavy items
Removing the old furnace
Unless you’re moving into a new house, you’ll likely need to remove the old furnace before fitting the new one.
That means first removing the items connected physically to the main furnace unit, such as venting, electrical wiring, gas lines, ductwork, etc.
As the old furnace is removed, the installation team will also clean the following:
- Dirt or dust from under the unit
- Dirt and dust from the entry points to the ductwork (good airflow is critical to the healthy functioning of your furnace)
- The evaporator coil (for the air conditioning)
The installation team will also check whether any alterations are required to the ductwork or walls surrounding the installation area. This usually depends on the size and orientation of the new furnace.
Installing the new furnace
Before the new furnace is connected, the team will optimize the system’s airflow so that there is no leakage. They will check that all parts are working efficiently together: this includes the plenum (which moves the heated and cooled air through the house and back through the unit) the flue lining, the electrical wiring and all other furnace elements.
The installation team may need to use their experience to skillfully cut, bend or fold metal parts of the furnace to ensure correct airflow through the system.
Once this has been done and the team has confirmed that the installation area for the new furnace is level, a rubber pad may be put in place to ensure that your furnace is not simply sitting on the floor. This helps prevent rust and prolongs the life of your furnace.
Reconnecting and sealing the furnace lines
The new furnace is in place on its rubber mat. Now what?
It’s time for the moment of truth. The installation team will reconnect the electrical and fuel furnace lines after sealing the system to minimize air escape.
Some ultra-modern systems may require additional electrical wiring to be run. Generally speaking, though, the new furnace will use an isolated breaker the same as the previous one, so the electrical wiring remains the same or very similar.
To seal everything, our team will apply special HVAC caulk that can withstand the high pressures of your furnace system.
After the furnace installation is complete
Once the system is switched on, you can start enjoying your warm and energy-efficient home.
To ensure you get the most out of your system, though, you’ll need to remember to replace the filters regularly and consult with our team about a recommended maintenance schedule for the new furnace.
It’s best to schedule maintenance at least once per year to ensure that energy bills are kept in check.
How long does it take to install a new furnace?
The furnace installation process usually takes between 4 and 10 hours, depending on the size and complexity of the installation.
Most of the work goes into removing the old furnace, as well as preparation for the new furnace and the ductwork. If the old and new furnaces are of vastly different dimensions, capacities and setups, the process may take a little longer than a simple switch of furnaces.
If you need to select or install a new furnace, speak to an HVAC professional from Alpha Plumbing. All work is covered by our one-year guarantee for parts and labour.
Why Choose Alpha Plumbing?
Our Plumbing Process
✔ Dispatch & Diagnosis
Call 403-470-5785 to talk to our friendly Customer Care Rep. Our Certified Technicians will diagnose your issue quickly and efficiently, after you welcome them into your home.
✔ Options
We will put together best practice options for getting your issue, or scope of work completed. Flat Rate quotes will be given to keep budgeting simple and eliminate surprise charges.
✔ Approval
You pick which option best suits your budget and requirements.
✔ We Get To Work
Alpha Tech’s get busy completing your work using industry leading materials and practices.
✔ Job Completion
Alpha Plumbing Technicians take pride in leaving a spotless work area and proudly showing off our clean work! We are always happy to answer your questions and offer helpful maintenance tips.
Request An Appointment:
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A note about DIY Plumbing Projects
Some homeowners choose DIY installations, repairs & servicing that could lead to even more costly repairs after a botched job.
DIY is not advisable unless you have considerable experience in managing your own plumbing projects as there are many important safety concerns to bear in mind before tearing your plumbing system apart yourself. Call us today to get the help you need.