What To Expect When You Have A New, Energy-Efficient Furnace Installed
Updating your furnace is one of the best ways you can save money on your energy bills. Many furnaces today are at least 97% efficient, which means they waste very, very little fuel. This is a big step up from an older furnace that might be 70 to 80 percent efficient. But as exciting and as beneficial as having a new furnace installed may be, you probably still have a few questions about the process. Here are a few common questions homeowners have before their new furnace installation appointments.
How long will the installation take?
In most cases, it will take your HVAC contractor between one and two days to install the new furnace. If your ductwork is basically set up to accommodate the new furnace and they don't have to make modifications, they should be done in a day. If they need to make minor ductwork changes or move the thermostat, the work may take two days. Note that in most cases, there's no need to replace ductwork when you replace the furnace, but minor adjustments are sometimes needed due to a difference in power or placement of the new equipment.
Will the HVAC technician need to open any walls?
You may be concerned that the installation process will leave you with holes in the walls to repair or fill. In most instances, this is not the case. The technician will need to make a small hole in one of your exterior walls to accommodate a vent pipe. (New furnaces vent through a small PVC pipe, whereas your older one probably vents through a furnace.) However, there should be no need to make holes in interior walls. The HVAC technician can fish anything they need up between the walls from your basement.
What will happen to the chimney?
In most cases, your HVAC contractor will seal off the old chimney after they disconnect the old furnace from it. You can either then leave the chimney in place or have it removed from your home. If it's still in good condition and looks okay, there's no reason you can't leave it there; it's just not functional anymore.
Hopefully you now have a better idea of what to expect when your new furnace is installed. If you have any lingering concerns, contact your HVAC installation contractor. They can give you more precise information related to your project once they have seen your home and old furnace.
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