Furnace Replacement: Ask These Questions if You Think It’s Time

Winter will be coming soon to the Orlando area, and if you need to have your furnace replaced, now is the time to do it. Because a furnace replacement is such a large, expensive and important job, it pays to ask your installer a few questions to make sure the job gets done correctly.

• Does the contractor have references? A history of quality work is the most important factor in hiring any contractor.
• How is the size of the furnace calculated? The size requirements for a furnace replacement should be calculated with the standard Manual J heating load calculation.
• What are the local code requirements for a furnace installation?
• What’s covered under the manufacturer’s warranty for the furnace and the contractor’s warranty for the installation?
• How long has the contractor used this model and is it reliable?
• What installation practices, such as improper venting, will void the manufacturer’s warranty?
• Will the furnace be raised on a pad to prevent corrosion in the event of leaks?
• How and where will the furnace be vented? Is a chimney liner needed if the chimney is used?
• For condensing furnaces, where will the condensate drain lines be located, and are the exhaust pipes sloped correctly for drainage purposes?
• Does the furnace use sealed combustion with outside air, or does it use indoor air?
• Is the current ductwork sufficient for the installation, or does it need to be upgraded?
• What is the maintenance procedure and how often does it need to be performed?
• How is the air filter changed and how often should it be done?
• Is the thermostat installation included? Is the thermostat programmable, and if it is, what is the best way to use it?
• What other changes to the house should be done to ensure that the new furnace replacement performs efficiently?
• What signs indicate improper or dangerous operating conditions?
• Perhaps most important, what efficiency level (AFUE) will the new furnace be? In our warm-winter climate, it probably doesn’t make sense to select a more expensive high-efficiency furnace, considering how short and mild our heating season is.

A furnace replacement can be made easier by choosing a good contractor to begin with. Our professionals at Rinaldi’s Energy Solutions have been doing quality HVAC work in Orlando and Central Florida since 1969. Contact us today for an appointment.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Orlando, Florida and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about furnace replacements and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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