Are you interested in installing a heating system? Wondering if you can afford the furnace replacement cost?
A lot of people hold off their doctor’s appointment only because they dread what the doctor might find out during the examination. This kind of scenario is very similar to home furnace repairs when a contractor is scheduled to do a minor renovation only to find out that there is more to the job than the homeowner originally thought. For instance, a simple project of changing carpets turns out to be a rigorous repair of the damaged sub-floor that was discovered when the carpet was ripped out. Unfortunately, this could also happen during the installation of one of your most expensive appliances in the home – your furnace.
There is so much more to installing a heating system than just having a brand new unit. To help you get the most out of your investment and prevent future problems, these are some furnace installation tips.
Repair Duct Work
Homeowners are always offered a choice to get new ducts set up when installing a heating system. Although this move may not be necessary, it could be a wise decision to make because it ensures optimum efficiency of your new furnace. However, if you are attempting to save some money as this step requires a significant amount, you may opt to keep the current duct work and just have it hooked up to your new furnace. Just make sure that you have run a thorough assessment on your ducts to ensure that it’s hole and clog free, complete rivets, is properly attached to the suspension, and just ready for the new heating system.
Install Programmable Thermostat
Programmable thermostats have proven to be the best pair for your heating system as it increases your unit’s efficiency. Because you can set the thermostat to heat the home at a specific time when the family is back from a day out, you basically don’t waste a lot of money on energy bills because the furnace only kicks in when it’s needed. A programmable thermostat can also be set to prepare the home and warm it up even before the occupants of your home arrive, sort of a warm welcome from a cold winter day. The furnace company can have thermostats installed and at the same time they can educate you on the proper settings and navigation.
Insulate Your Home
As previously mentioned, there is more to the entire heating system than just a quick installation of a new furnace. There are things around the home that need to be considered for you to really enjoy the efficiency of your unit. Insulating your home is one way to ensure that you get the most out of your system. Basically, a new furnace, a new duct work, and a programmable thermostat will all be rendered useless if all the heat will automatically be sucked out of your home because of uninsulated or poorly insulated home. It is advisable to do a home insulation inspection before a new heating unit is mounted in. The walls in all rooms even up to the attic should be adequately padded with insulation materials. Insulating the home can also be an extra expense but the rewards will easily be recovered and appreciated as this step increases the life of your furnace while it lowers your utility bills.
Install New Windows
Old, inferior windows can also be a huge energy drain to your home during the winter season. Because windows tend to shift over time, there could be hidden gaps or loose insulation around the pane that serves as an entryway for the cold air into the home and the same passage for the warm air to exit from the home. Although a temporary solution for old windows is to cover them up with plastic, this is still not a recommended long term solution for the problem. Aesthetically speaking, having windows covered in plastic isn’t very appealing. If you get new windows installed, not only are you improving the overall make of your home but you are also making sure that you have not wasted money on buying a new and highly efficient furnace.
Add New Siding
Adding a new siding especially for areas where the siding is open and exposed has the same purpose as having new windows and properly insulating walls. A damaged siding causes loss of heat and pressures the new furnace to work double time to ensure that the home is appropriately heated as the thermostat requires. Although adding a siding isn’t as easy as sealing some cracks and gaps around the doors and windows, getting this task completed always means you boost the overall appearance of your home and increase its market value.
Fix Leaks Inside and Out
Leaks can exist anywhere on the home and that they can be such a nuisance. Cold air goes through leaks and warm air escapes because of leaks. Additionally, cracks and gaps in the home can also become a sanctuary for rodents and other insects that need shelter during the winter. These are the reasons why it is vital to do a thorough inspection of the home for possible leaks and gaps before a new furnace is installed. Inspect all areas of the home and make sure all the spots are secured and free from any kind or size of leaks. Leaks are a huge energy drain to your home.
Add a Backup Heat Source
You can never tell when your generally dependable furnace decides to go down. This is why most furnace companies will recommend adding an alternative heat source either as a back up when your main heating unit dies on you in the dead of the winter or simply as an additional source of heat to take some pressure off your main unit. The backup heat source can also be used on days when the cold is bearable so that you can give your central heating system a break and at the same time save some money on utility bills.
Some homeowners avoid getting their entire heating system checked simply because they are afraid that their heating problems are not just from an inefficient heater and that the furnace company might just open a can of worms when they have their homes checked. Well, you don’t have to dread no more. All these tips should help ensure that everything is properly set in place so you won’t have to worry about dealing with heating issues that are far more expensive, stressful, and complicated than just installing a heating system. Getting these items completed leaves you and your home on a safe state and ready to face the cold Canadian winters.