How Long Does it Take to Install a Furnace?
On average, it will take a trained technician about two to four hours to install a furnace, depending on many factors such as volume capacity and your home’s floor plan. However, a professional’s time to install will be significantly less than if someone tries to do it themselves.
The time it will take to install can also vary depending on the type of furnace being installed, more complex units will take longer, and the specific installation circumstances. With that being said, it should take less than a day and be done in a timely manner.
We don’t recommend that you install it yourself, but if you do want to give it a try, it typically takes most people several hours to complete a heating installation. Of course, the total time could be shorter or longer depending on the specific furnace installed and the person’s circumstances.
Installation Basics
Once installed, it will need to be adequately tested to ensure that it is working correctly and is not producing too much heating capability. This testing process could increase the answer to how long it takes, ultimately increasing the furnace installation time.
If you are installing it yourself, it is important to follow all instructions in the manufacturer’s installation manual carefully. How long it takes to install one yourself is significantly longer if you are not familiar with the installation process. Also, remember to turn off the power before starting any work and be aware of the heating capacity.
Before we begin, the relationship between your new air conditioner and the furnace is important to understand. They work together to keep your home comfortable through heating and cooling. So, for example, if your home is not reaching the temperature you want it to, the first thing you should check is whether or not both these things are working properly.
If they are not working, then your air conditioner will not be able to circulate the heat properly through the HVAC system and your home will not reach the desired temperature.
When should you consider a new furnace installation?
There are a few different circumstances when you might want to consider a new installation:
– More than 15 years old.
– Isn’t functioning correctly or efficiently.
– Your energy bills have increased significantly.
– You’re planning a home renovation that will require significant changes to your HVAC system.
If you’re not sure whether you need a new one, it’s always best to consult with a professional. They will be able to assess your specific situation and give you the best advice on whether a new installation is right for you and can even quote you an installation time. Other problems to consider include a leaking furnace, which can be a serious problem.
Different Types of Furnaces
There are many different types, but gas, oil, and electric are the most common. Most combustion furnaces have their own pros and cons, so choosing the right one for your home is important.
Gas Furnace
Gas furnaces are the most popular type. They’re efficient and have a long lifespan. However, they require a natural gas line and can be expensive to install.
A natural gas furnace is a type of home heating system that uses gas to heat the air in your home. Typically, you use them in homes with central heating and cooling systems. It heats the air in your home by circulating it through a heated chamber, where it is then distributed through your home’s ductwork.
They are one of the most popular types of home heating systems because they are typically very efficient and can save you money on your energy bills.
If you are considering a gas combustion furnace for your home, you should keep a few things in mind.
- First, you will need to have a gas line installed in your home.
- Second, they require regular maintenance and tune-ups to keep them running efficiently.
- Finally, gas furnaces can produce harmful carbon monoxide gases, so you will need to install a carbon monoxide detector in your home.
Gas Furnace History
The first design was patented in 1876 by Alice Parker, though a working model was not built until 1885. Her design used natural gas and was intended to heat houses.
The first practical forced-air gas heater was built in 1904 by American inventors Willis Carrier and Leonard Shaw. This type included a blower to force the hot air through the ductwork. Carrier’s design was used to heat a printing plant in Brooklyn, New York, and he later formed the Carrier Engineering Corporation to mass-produce them.
They became increasingly popular in the United States in the 1930s. They offered a cleaner and cheaper alternative to coal-burning and were easier to operate than oil-burning fossil fuels. Today, they are still a popular type of home heating system. Typically, you power them with natural gas, but propane or electricity can also work.
Oil Furnace
Oil furnaces are less common than gas, but they’re still a good option for some homes. They’re less efficient than gas, but they don’t require a gas line.
An oil furnace is a type that uses oil as its fuel. Oil is typically more efficient than other types, producing less pollution. They work by using oil as a fuel source to create heat. The oil is burned inside, and the heat created is used to warm the air in the home. They can be a good option for homes that do not have access to natural gas.
The biggest advantage over a gas furnace is efficiency. They have combustion efficiencies of about 86%, while gas has combustion efficiencies of only about 60 to 70%. This means that they will use less fuel to produce the same amount of heat.
In addition, they tend to have longer lifespans, lasting an average of 20 to 30 years. On the other hand, gas typically only lasts for 10 to 15 years. This means that oil will be cheaper to operate over the long run than gas.
Oil Furnace History
The first oil furnace was patented in 1885, but it wasn’t until the early 1900s that it began to gain popularity in the United States. The rise of the automobile industry and the need for a more efficient way to heat homes led to the widespread use of oil. Today, oil remains a popular choice for homeowners looking for an efficient and reliable way to heat their homes.
Electric Furnace
Electric furnaces are the least common type of the big three we have examined today. They’re not as efficient as gas or oil, but they’re much easier to install.
An electrical furnace uses electricity to generate heat. They are typically more expensive to operate than gas or oil, but they can be more efficient than some other house heating systems. Electric can also be used in homes that do not have access to natural gas lines.
Some of the main advantages of having an electrical furnace include:
1. They are very efficient in terms of energy usage – They convert almost all of the electricity they consume into heat, making them much more efficient than gas.
2. They are very safe to use – They do not produce any combustion gases, so there is no risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
3. They are very clean and tidy – They do not produce any soot or other pollutants, so they are much cleaner than gas in that regard.
4. They are very easy to maintain – They have few moving parts and do not require any regular maintenance.
5. They are very quiet – Electricity makes very little noise when operating.
Electric Furnace History
The first was built in 1879 by Sir William Siemens. It was made of carbon and was used to heat metals to their melting point. In 1883, the first electric arc furnace was built. People still use this type of furnace today to produce steel. The first resistance furnaces were developed in the early 1900s and are used for various applications such as heat treating, annealing, and tempering (1).
What is annual fuel utilization efficiency?
The annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) measures how efficiently a heat-generated furnace converts fuel to energy. The higher the AFUE, the more energy efficiency it has. Furnaces with an AFUE of 80% or higher are considered high-efficiency.
The AFUE can be affected by several factors, such as the age and type, the quality of the new furnace installation, and the climate.
Some of the biggest advantages of energy-efficient furnaces are that they:
1. Lower fuel bills – High-efficiency furnaces use less fuel to produce the same amount of heat as a standard furnace. This means that you’ll save money on your fuel bills.
2. Less pollution – High-efficiency furnaces produce fewer emissions than standard furnaces. This means that they’re better for the environment and can help improve air quality.
3. Fewer repairs – High-efficiency furnaces tend to have fewer problems and require less maintenance than standard furnaces.
4. More comfortable – High-efficiency furnaces can provide a more comfortable environment because they can maintain a more consistent temperature.
5. Longer lifespan – High-efficiency furnaces typically have a longer lifespan than standard furnaces.
What is needed for a furnace installation
New furnace installation typically requires:
1. A level surface on which to place the furnace
2. An electrical outlet nearby
3. A gas line if the furnace is gas-powered
4. A venting system that meets local building codes
5. Proper insulation around the right furnace
6. A thermostat to control the furnace
7. A way to remove the old furnace (if replacing an existing furnace)
8. A qualified technician to install the furnace and check for pressure buildups
9. A permit from the local building department (if required)
10. A manufacturer’s warranty on the furnace
All of these factors affect installation time with new equipment, so this is another reason to consult with professional furnace services. It is also important to consult the help of a trusted HVAC company that provides excellent HVAC service to find and dictate hot and cold spots around the living space and work with existing ductwork around the installation area. Furnaces and water heaters are different installations and processes, check out our other guide for water heaters.
How to install a new furnace
If you have experience with modern furnaces and feel comfortable doing the work yourself, it is possible to install a furnace yourself. However, it is always best to consult with a professional before undertaking major home improvement projects, like furnace installation, to ensure an inexperienced person correctly installs it.
If you’re a do-it-yourselfer, you can install a brand new furnace on your own the same way a professional would so long as there is not complicated electrical work involved, and your entire home does not need extensive repair work, is up to date, and in good shape.
The best advice is to make sure you follow the instructions that come with the furnace exactly as they are written, make sure you are safe at all times, and complete the post-installation checklist.
Related:
How Long Does it Take to Install Kitchen Cabinets?
How Long Does it Take to Install a Water Heater?
Sources
(1) – https://www.twi-global.com/technical-knowledge/faqs/what-is-annealing