Replacing your home’s furnace will typically come with an installation scheduling window. Experienced HVAC technicians can replace a furnace in just 4 to 10 hours. This includes the time it takes to disconnect and remove the old unit, then install, calibrate, and test the new furnace. Some furnace installations are more complex or difficult and can take anywhere from 2 days to a full week. Read on for more details.
Type and Size of Furnace
Furnace installations always go more smoothly and take less time when you’re installing a like-for-like replacement. Additional work is required when installing a different type of furnace or if the new furnace is smaller or larger than the existing unit. Let’s say that you’re replacing a conventional gas furnace with a high-efficiency condensing furnace. Conventional furnaces must have a metal exhaust flue, and they draw air into the combustion chamber from the surrounding area. Condensing furnaces have a PVC flue and an additional PVC pipe that allows the furnace to draw in outside air. That means the technicians will need to replace the flue and cut a hole in the wall or ceiling to run the air intake pipe outside. It’s also usually necessary to replace or retrofit the flue if the new furnace isn’t the same type as the old unit.
Additional work is also typically required if switching from a gas to an electric furnace or vice versa. In this case, you’ll usually need to have a new gas line run to the furnace or have an electrician install a new 240-volt circuit and run wiring from the electrical panel to the furnace. Either of these things increases the time the installation takes and also adds to the cost.
Ductwork Condition and Sizing
The condition and size of the supply and return air ducts can be one of the biggest factors in how long the installation takes. Many homes have issues with the supply and return sides of the ductwork system not being balanced. If you don’t have one or the other side redone so that the incoming and outgoing airflow are balanced, the new furnace won’t perform nearly as well or work as efficiently as it is designed to. If the new furnace is smaller or larger, you’ll also need to have at least some of your ductwork redone to ensure it functions properly. Experienced technicians will always recommend fully replacing your ductwork if it’s more than 20-25 years old and has numerous air leaks.
If you need to have any work done to your supply and/or return ducts, you should usually plan on the installation taking a minimum of two to three days. Replacing all of the ducts in a home can take a week or more, especially for a larger house.
Accessibility
Accessibility can sometimes also play a role. If the furnace is in an easily accessible place in the basement or on the main floor, the installation should go fairly quickly. Installing a furnace in a crawl space or attic tends to take a bit longer.
When preparing for the installation, you can help make the process go more smoothly by clearing any clutter so that the technicians can easily access everything. You also want to make sure that there’s a clear path from the front or back door to the furnace so that the technicians don’t have to struggle when hauling the old unit out and bringing the new one in.
Unforeseen Issues
The technicians may also encounter unforeseen issues during the installation that result in them needing to do more work than they originally thought. For instance, they may realize that the gas line is in poor condition and at risk of leaking, requiring it to be replaced before connecting the furnace. They could also encounter an issue where the wiring from the electrical panel to the furnace needs to be replaced. Another fairly common problem is the exhaust flue needing to be replaced because it’s damaged or because it wasn’t designed or installed correctly.
At Affordable Service Solutions Heating & Air Conditioning, we take pride in being the most-trusted name for furnace installation and replacement in Flower Mound, TX. We serve residential and commercial customers and offer a range of high-quality options to match the heating needs of any home or business. We also offer flexible financing options for new installations available on approved credit. To schedule an installation consultation or any other HVAC service, contact us today.
