Furnace Installation is something that every homeowner must think about before starting any construction project. A central heating system is a necessity for every home but installing one requires some serious planning and thought. Depending on your climate, central heating systems can be either forced air or hydronic. Furnace installation is a complicated process but if you follow these simple steps, you’ll be well prepared for the installation process. Read on to learn more about what you need to know before you start installation, tips and tricks for the job, and some FAQs for common problems and solutions.
PLAN YOUR INSTALLATION
Whether you’re going with forced air or hydronic, make sure to plan ahead and do your research before you get started. Ask yourself the following questions before you start the installation process:
- Where will the unit be installed?
- What size is the unit?
- What type of fuel source is available?
- What kind of ductwork will be used?
- How will the unit be controlled?
- What is the heating capacity of the unit?
- What is the cooling capacity of the unit?
- How much space will the unit be installed in?
- What fuel source will the unit use?
- Where will the unit be located?
CHECK OUT THE HOME
Since the furnace is such an important part of your home, it’s important to make sure you select the right one and that it best suits your needs. A professional technician will be able to walk you through the different types of furnaces and help you select the right one for both your home and budget. Make sure you select a contractor that is licensed, insured, and has experience installing furnaces in your area. You don’t want to risk your home or your safety by installing faulty equipment.
- Check the location of the unit. Will it be in a central location in the home or in a closet near the kitchen and bathrooms?
- Check the type of fuel source that is recommended for your home. Is it natural gas, propane, oil, or electricity?
- Check the capacity and heating output of the unit. Does it have a high, low, or medium setting?
- Check the type of ductwork that will be used. Will the ductwork be metal or PVC?
- Check the warranty on the unit and make sure it’s long enough to cover any problems you might encounter.
- Check the maintenance schedule for the unit and make sure you know how often you need to have the unit serviced.
SELECT THE RIGHT LOCATION
Before you start the installation process, you need to make sure that the location of the furnace is right. You want it to be away from sources of heat, sources of cooling, and sources of humidity. You also want to make sure there’s enough room for the ductwork. If you’re installing a forced air system, the ductwork is important because it distributes the warm or cool air throughout the home. - Check the attic and crawlspace for ductwork. Make sure you have enough room for the ductwork to run in the right direction.
INSTALL THE DUCTWORK
If you’re going with a forced air system, you’ll need to install ductwork. Ductwork can be PVC, metal, or a hybrid of the two. Make sure you select the right type of ductwork for the system you’ll be installing and that it’s sized properly. A faulty ductwork installation can be a source of leaks and other expensive problems in the future. - Install ductwork for the heat source. If you’re using a natural gas furnace, you’ll need to install ductwork for the gas line.
INSTALL THE AIR HANDLER AND BURNER
If you’re installing a hydronic system, you’ll need to install an air handler and burner. The air handler is where the system’s burner is installed and the burner is the source of the heat. These two components are critical to the health of the system and should be installed correctly. - Install the air handler. Make sure you select the correct size for the home and install it in a central location in the home, away from the other components of the system.
BUILD THE FIRE PLACE
If you’re installing a hydronic system, you’ll also need to build a fire place. A fire place is used to raise the temperature of the water to the point where it can produce hot water. This water is then pumped through the system to the other components of the system. - Build a fire place large enough to hold the water. The fire will use up oxygen in the water and raise its temperature.
CONCLUSION
Central heating systems are a necessity for every home. But installing one requires some serious planning and thought. Make sure to plan ahead and do your research before you start installation. Make sure to select the right location, install the ductwork, install the air handler and burner, and build the fire place. Once these steps are completed, you’re ready to start the installation process.