The Real Time It Takes to Install Your Furnace
If you’re living in Charlotte, NC, you know how chilly those winter months can get. It means that having a reliable furnace isn’t just nice. It’s a must. While regular tune-ups can keep your furnace humming along, sometimes it’s time to say goodbye to your old system and welcome a new one. A question we hear all the time is how long it takes to install your furnace.
At Dependaworthy One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating, we pride ourselves on efficient furnace installations in Charlotte and surrounding areas that keep your home comfy and warm throughout the cold season. If you’re wondering what affects installation time and what you can expect during the process, let’s explore.
How Long Does It Really Take to Install Your Furnace?
In most cases, residential furnace installations take between 4 and 10 hours. And if you’re wondering why such a wide time range. It’s because it depends on a few things. Here’s a breakdown of the factors that may impact your furnace installation:
Condition of the existing ductwork
Is your ductwork in good shape, or does it need some TLC? If your duct system needs adjustments, such as resizing or resealing, this can add time to the project.
The need for gas line or electrical updates
Are we dealing with outdated electrical wiring or gas lines that need upgrading? This is a surefire way to add time to your furnace installation.
Whether the new furnace is significantly different from the old one
How different is your new furnace from your old one? Older homes, in particular, may require updates to gas lines or wiring to safely accommodate the new furnace.
Here at Dependaworthy One Hour Air, we’ve got it down to a science, making sure you’re not left in the cold any longer than necessary, keeping your home safe and warm.
How to Choose a New Furnace
Before installation, selecting the right furnace for your home is a no-brainer. Size and type matter!
Furnace Size
Think of choosing a furnace like buying a new car. You wouldn’t buy a tiny compact car for a family of seven. The same goes for furnaces. It’s too small, and it’ll work overtime to keep up (hello, high energy bills!). It’s too big, and it’ll waste energy by constantly turning on and off (short-cycling), which reduces the system’s lifespan.
When you choose a correctly sized furnace, your unit works at its best, heating your home without overexertion.
Furnace Type
The main furnace types are combustion furnaces, which use propane, oil, or natural gas, and electric furnaces.
- Gas furnaces (or other combustion types): These are the popular kids in Charlotte. They’re like reliable friends who are always there when you need them. By being efficient and dependable, gas furnaces provide strong heat for those cold winter nights. And they can be more cost-effective in the long run.
- Electric furnaces: Think of these as the low-maintenance option. While they might cost more to run, they’re usually cheaper upfront and better for the environment.
That being said, you don’t need to worry. Our Dependaworthy team can help you choose a furnace based on your home’s needs, energy costs, and overall heating goals.
Before the Furnace Installation
The installation process starts with an in-home estimate. During this assessment, our technician measures your home to calculate the correct furnace size. This step is important because, as we discussed previously, getting the size wrong can lead to issues like high energy bills, uneven heating, and unnecessary wear on the furnace.
Checking Other Components
A furnace installation is more than just replacing an old unit. It often involves checking other components of your home’s heating system, including the ductwork, gas lines, and electrical connections.
- Ductwork: The duct system distributes warm air throughout your home, so it must be in good condition. If your ducts are leaky, blocked, or improperly sized, this can affect the performance of the new furnace.
- Gas lines: If your home uses gas furnaces, we’ll need to check the gas line and possibly upgrade it to meet the demands of the new furnace.
- Electrical wiring: If your home has an older electrical system, it may need updates to safely connect to a new furnace, especially if you’re installing a more modern or energy-efficient model.
Each of these factors can influence the time it takes to install your furnace. And they are extremely important to make sure the system runs as it should and safely.
During the Installation
On the day our techs come to install your furnace, we follow a structured process to make sure everything goes smoothly.
- Walkthrough: We start with a friendly chat about the game plan, addressing any questions or concerns you have before beginning the work.
- Preparing the space: Our team will prep the area. We’ll set up in a way to protect your home and make the installation process as clean and efficient as possible.
- Old furnace removal: We carefully remove the old furnace. As we mentioned before, we also address any outdated or damaged components, such as ductwork or wiring.
- New system installation and test: We install the new furnace and connect it to your home’s ducts, gas lines, or electrical system. Afterward, we test it for proper operation.
- Clean-up time: After the installation, we clean the area and remove any debris. Don’t worry; we’ll leave your home as clean as we found it.
- The grand tour: We’ll review the installation with you and show you how everything works, explaining how to operate your new furnace and answering any questions you may have.
After Installation
After installing your furnace, we recommend you monitor its performance. If you notice anything unusual, such as strange noises or uneven heating, reach out to us right away. We want to address any concerns early to prevent larger issues down the line.
We also recommend familiarizing yourself with your new thermostat and system settings. This helps you maximize performance.
And remember that regular maintenance (such as changing filters and having a pro check your system annually) will help keep your furnace running like a horse for years to come.
Warning Signs Your Old Furnace Needs to Go
You know how your car starts making weird noises before breaking down? Furnaces do that, too!
So, if you’re noticing bills that make your eyes pop, your home feeling like a patchwork of hot and cold spots, and strange noises that go bump in the night, these could be signs that your furnace is either breaking (and you’re most likely needing a furnace replacement) or needing major repairs. So don’t hesitate to give us a call.
Here’s the thing about furnace problems: they’re like dental issues. The longer you wait, the bigger and more expensive they become. Plus, when we’re talking about gas furnaces, DIY fixes can be downright dangerous. You don’t want to play around with that!
Are You Ready to Install Your Furnace? Call Dependaworthy One Hour
If you’re in Charlotte and think it’s time, call us at Dependaworthy One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating. We’re not just about installing furnaces (though we can install your furnace in no time). We’re about keeping families comfortable and safe through those chilly Carolina winters (and warm, scorching summers?).
And we’re proud of our motto: Dependable + Trustworthy = DEPENDAWORTHY! We are committed to providing you with excellent service. Plus, we fix it right, or you don’t have to pay. So, if you need a new furnace or want to chat about your options, we’d love to help! Reach out anytime for a friendly consultation. After all, winter won’t wait, and neither should you!