While most Californians are not too fazed by the phrase “winter is coming,” folks in Northern California may feel differently. As cooler temperatures sneak onto the scene, everyone starts to remember their old friend, the furnace, and wonder how that old friend is holding up.
While it’s always encouraged to have regular furnace cleanings to maintain efficiency and safety, one day, you may need to have a new furnace installed. If you’re wondering how long that project will take, you’re in the right place. In this article, we’ll review the following:
- How long it takes an HVAC company to install a furnace
- Factors that affect installation time
- The steps of furnace installation
- The two types of furnaces you can use
As the colder months approach, your furnace quickly climbs the ranks as one of the star players of your home. A furnace has the power to heat your home and keep everyone inside nice and toasty, which is essential during those cold nights. But, as is the case with all home appliances, it will need maintenance, repair, or even replacement at some point.
How long it takes an HVAC company to install a furnace
On average, executing a complete furnace installation takes roughly four to ten hours. This, of course, will depend on the dimensions and style of the unit, as the bigger a system is, the more work is involved. If you’ve ever experienced a frigid night without heat, you know how vital it is to have your furnace up and running as soon as possible.
Typically, installing a furnace isn’t too complex. This is especially true when you have a clean system with solid ductwork that doesn’t face any repair issues. Having a good backbone to work with lends a hand to the overall process and allows professionals to come in and install your furnace within a day.
Once your new furnace is all set, it is highly recommended that you perform annual maintenance to keep your energy bills low and to ensure the safety of your home. Doing so will help maintain your warranty, minimize the risk of service interruption, extend the life of your unit, and improve your home’s indoor air quality.
Factors that affect installation time
While the size and model of your furnace will certainly impact the installation time, other factors will affect the installation time as well. Once a certified HVAC professional has assessed your system, they can determine the status of your air ducts and alert you to any electrical issues or gas line anomalies that may have gone unnoticed. If repairs are deemed necessary, those must be addressed before moving forward with your furnace installation.
Depending on the age of your home, you may have to have updates made for your new system to operate. Ensuring that your framework supports your new furnace is paramount in executing a furnace installation correctly and efficiently.
Home size matters
When it comes to furnace installation, sizing up your home is more than just a numbers game—it’s about finding that sweet spot for optimal warmth and efficiency. The size of your home dictates the size of the furnace you’ll need to sufficiently warm your house, which in turn can affect the installation time of your new unit.
If you set up a furnace that’s too small for the square footage of your home, you can run into uneven heating and higher energy bills because it’s running so often—not to mention excessive wear and tear. On colder days, it won’t be able to keep up with temperature drops and will result in insufficient heating.
If you get a furnace that’s too big for your space, it will turn on and off frequently. These quick bursts can overheat certain spots in your house while leaving other rooms cold. The constant on-and-off cycle will also wear out the system, which will cause the need for more repairs or even replacement down the line.
Finding your home’s “Goldilocks” furnace size is the best way to ensure your system works efficiently and it will help you save on energy bills—and save your sanity. Hiring a trained technician to evaluate the square footage of your home will help you determine the ideal furnace size for your home.
You can certainly reference the blueprint of your home to determine the square footage if you have the document readily available. However, an expert technician will also consider other factors in recommending a furnace size for your specific needs. They will assess the quality of your insulation, the number of doors and windows in your home, the household size, and the general floor plan, while also considering the capacity of your living space.
Cost of installation
Another factor that affects the installation time of your furnace is the cost of the installation itself. While the unit itself can run anywhere between $400 and $6,000, the labor to install the furnace can run upwards of half of the cost of the unit. There are financing options to help offset those costs, but finding a way to fund your project could throw a wrench in your installation plans.
The steps of furnace installation
It helps to know what to expect when a certified HVAC technician arrives to install your furnace. One of the first things they’ll do when they arrive will be a general walkthrough of your house, taking special notice of the spot where they’ll install the unit.
During their initial walkthrough, they’ll become acquainted with your home to have a thorough idea of its layout and capacity. They’ll report any issues or areas of concern that may need your attention or repair before moving forward. If it’s all clear, they should be ready to extend an estimate for the work and the time it will take to install.
Once the installation process has begun, a professional HVAC technician should provide regular updates to keep you informed throughout the project. When you use an expert, you can rely on them to execute the job correctly and without taking shortcuts.
It’s customary for the technician to review a post-installation checklist with you after a completed installation. This holds everyone accountable for the job being performed to your expectations and their quality standards. Reviewing the checklist together is the perfect opportunity to ask any questions about the new system, maintenance, and any other concerns you may have while in the company of someone in the industry.
Be sure to contact a certified, trained HVAC professional to discuss the status of your furnace before freezing temperatures start to show up. Having someone you can trust to install your furnace properly will give you peace of mind for the season and beyond. When you start looking for an HVAC company, do your research to ensure you find one that regularly trains their technicians and who are licensed and insured. The last thing you want is someone showing up to work in your home who isn’t up to date on the latest systems, only to find yourself back at square one.
Ongaro & Sons — Your HVAC Experts
Ongaro & Sons is a family-owned business in its fourth generation of operation. When you need heating help in the North Bay area, you’ll get great prices and exceptional service when working with the HVAC specialists at Ongaro & Sons.
Our NATE-certified technicians are experienced industry veterans capable of maintaining and repairing any furnace, heat pump, or boiler system. We are a licensed state contractor with fully insured, qualified, and professional technicians dedicated to industry-leading heating solutions.
With decades of institutional knowledge and experience, our service technicians are among the most capable in the industry. We’re committed to providing ongoing training and education opportunities, helping our technicians develop and learn new skills. As HVAC technologies continue advancing, we always work to bring our customers the best heating services and solutions.
Contact Ongaro & Sons here or call us at 707-419-3135 today if you’re having heating issues. Before beginning our work, we’ll investigate the cause and provide detailed quotes and recommendations. No matter the project, you’ll always know exactly what to expect and what you’ll pay.