Owning a home comes with a lot of responsibility. Knowing when to replace appliances and working parts that support your home is key. For example, knowing when to replace your water heater or air conditioning unit is important. You will want to save money for these projects, as they can be rather expensive. Those that live in colder weather states are likely to also have a furnace in their home. Knowing when to replace a furnace is also important. Any big ticket item should be thought out and saved for. How long does it take to install a furnace? It should take anywhere from 4-6 hours to install. Depending on the size and type.
Let’s take a look below at some more details.
What Should I Consider When Selecting A New Furnace
When you are purchasing a new furnace, you will want to consider what is best for your home. There are two many types of furnaces, combustion furnaces, and electrical furnaces. They are fueled differently, so consider your expenses.
- Combustion furnaces – are fueled by natural gas, propane, or oil. The most traditional type of furnace. Consider energy efficiency. The lowest Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) is 78 percent today. While the high energy efficiency furnaces range between 90-97 percent.
- Electric furnaces – use electricity to create your heat source. These are more popular, as electricity is typically cheaper than fuels and the energy is better for the environment.
What Can I Expect
During the process of installation, you will want to make sure that your contractor is doing a thorough job. The following should occur during the installation process.
- Walkthrough – before the installation day, a walkthrough is scheduled so that the contractor can assess the installation area. This is when the technician will discuss any repair details and provide a cost and how long it will take them to replace the furnace.
- Updates – during the process your contractor should update you as they go. This ensures your trust that nothing is being done incorrectly. As they remove the old furnace they should update you as to when they begin the new installation.
- Post-installation – use a checklist to determine that all of the furnace removal and installation was done properly. Your technician should be able to go over all of the details on your checklist to ensure that you have peace of mind. No one wants an unexpected health or safety issue.
Be sure to get multiple quotes and references from whoever you have chosen as your licensed technician. You want to hire a reputable heating contractor that is known in your area to complete the project furnace replacement in a timely and correct manner.
How Much Does It Cost
Replacing a furnace can be rather expensive. Although it is not as expensive as replacing your AC unit, it comes pretty close. Most homeowners will opt for the electric furnace as they cost between $1,000 and $3,000. However, a gas-fueled furnace will typically range between $3,000 and $4,500.
Other Recommended Maintenance
Now that you understand how long it takes to replace your old furnace, it would be a good idea to get to know how they work. Most furnaces require electricity, regardless of if they are gas fueled. If the electricity goes out, you might have to relight the pilot light. Be sure to read if you need to relight your furnace after a power outage. In some cases, you might not need to.
Next, you might be walking around your furnace and notice a puddle of water. Immediately, you think it is time to replace your furnace. However, this might not be the case. Make sure you read about why your furnace is leaking water. It might not be what you think.
Lastly, if you are replacing your furnace, you might want to replace your HVAC system as well. Make sure that you have an understanding of when to replace your HVAC system. In some cases, they are needing to be replaced at the same time.
When Do I Call A Professional
When it comes to replacing an old furnace, a professionally licensed heating contractor is necessary. This is not a project for a homeowner to conduct on their own. Make sure to reach out to a number of contractors in order to get a variety of estimates and quotes. If you aren’t sure who to call, reach out to your local home inspection team. They can refer you to a reputable heating contractor as well as inspect the old furnace and your home.
Conclusion
Getting your furnace replaced is not the most exciting thing. However, it is necessary if you want to keep your home warm during the colder months. Be sure to plan ahead. It could take up to 6 hours to replace your furnace. Luckily, the furnace should last from 15 to 20 years. If you are needing to replace the furnace call on your local home inspection team first. They can assess the areas around your furnace and recommend any additional repairs or replacements in your home. Call on Avalon Home Inspections will check your furnace during a home inspection in Atlanta, GA.
