If you have been living in your home for about 15 to 20 years, you need to start considering replacing several items around your house, but one of the most important is your furnace. Most furnaces don’t last beyond that length of time even if they have been properly maintained. When you start thinking about getting a new furnace for your home, there are a few of things to consider before commencing the process. Here’s what to do to prepare for a new furnace installation.
Evaluate Your Heating Needs
You must assess your heating needs. Those of different people can vary significantly depending on the size of the home. The larger your home, the more likely it is that you will need a more robust heater. As a resident of Arizona, you are lucky that you don’t have to face the harsh winters that many other states experience.
Still, a critical factor to consider when shopping for a furnace replacement is the heater’s efficiency. The efficiency of a furnace can be determined by looking at its Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating. The higher the AFUE rating, the more efficient the furnace is. At Rite Way Heating, Cooling & Plumbing, we recommend that you select a furnace with an AFUE rating of over 80% to abide by the current regulations. Having a more efficient heater will also mean that you’ll save on heating costs.
Examine and Assess Your Existing Ductwork
When preparing for a new furnace, it’s vital that you have your ductwork examined and repaired where needed. Look out for air leaks in your ductwork and get them fixed since they will compromise the effectiveness and efficiency of your new heater. This will also be an excellent time to clean your ductwork of any dust and debris accumulated there.
Clear the Pathway to the Heater
Furnaces are usually quite large, and they can be challenging to maneuver through the tight space inside your home. To avoid accidents that might lead to personal injury or damage to your other property, you need as much space as you can get when replacing your old furnace. This means clearing the pathway to your heater by removing or moving everything that could be in the way. Make sure everything is gone, since even simple things like pictures hanging in a hallway can spell trouble. Clearing the pathway will eliminate all hazards and guarantee a safe heater replacement process.
Get a Programmable Thermostat
An essential accessory for your heater is a thermostat. However, not all thermostats are created equal. In this digital age, you should get a furnace that’s bundled with a programmable thermostat. If the new heater you get doesn’t have a programmable thermostat, you should purchase one independently. A programmable thermostat will enable you to create a heating schedule for your home. You can set it to a lower temperature when you are not at home and have it set to return to a higher temperature an hour before your get back.
This would mean that you won’t have to deal with the cost of heating your home when you are not there. Additionally, you can expect your furnace to last longer because it will be running less, and this reduces wear and tear. You can also opt for a Wi-Fi programmable thermostat, which will cost a little more but will offer more functionality. This includes the ability to adjust your home’s temperature from your smartphone.
Install an In-line Air Purification System and In-line Humidifier
At Rite Way Heating, Cooling & Plumbing, we recommend that you install an in-line air purification system when getting a new heater. In a semi-arid region like Arizona, massive amounts of dust are bound to accumulate inside your home even with regular cleaning. This will mean that the air in your house will contain more dust particles than average, resulting in the onset of more respiratory problems like asthma. Installing an in-line air purification system with your heating system will mean that the air inside your home will consistently be cleaned as it is heated.
On the other hand, adding an in-line humidifier to your heating system will ensure that you can easily add moisture to the air inside your home. This will be very useful in the colder months when the air inside and outside your home is dry. If the air within your home has very little moisture, you can start experiencing chapped lips and dry skin, which can be very uncomfortable. Adding moisture to your home’s air will make the interior feel warmer even at lower temperatures. This can be useful in keeping your heating bills down.
Plan the Installation of Your New Furnace
The last step in your preparation is planning the installation process. This involves familiarizing yourself with what is involved and what to expect. In our experience at Rite Way Heating, Cooling & Plumbing, many homeowners believe that they don’t have to plan or familiarize themselves with the installation process because they will hire professionals to do the installation. Unfortunately, in many cases, homeowners may suffer significant inconveniences because they don’t understand the installation process and prepare for it accordingly.
We advise you as a homeowner that it’s in your best interest to plan the installation and know how it goes. This will allow you to monitor the procedure and ensure our technicians are meeting your expectations. Being aware of what’s going on with the heater installation will enable you to avoid any major mistakes resulting in costly solutions.
Additionally, we always ask our clients to consider setting up a preventative maintenance plan with us during the furnace installation. This plan means that we will provide regular maintenance and tune-ups for an agreed amount of time so that you can have peace of mind. Our furnace preventative maintenance agreement will help ensure your furnace operates as efficiently as possible, and it will also protect you by keeping your warranty valid.
Your Conscientious Local Furnace Technicians
When you are considering furnace replacement, maintenance or repair, call Rite Way Heating, Cooling & Plumbing. We also offer air conditioning repair, installation and maintenance as well as a complete line of plumbing services. Our business was launched in 1959, and in the more than 70 years we’ve been operational, we’ve built our success by providing exceptional results to our clients. Our company is fully insured and licensed, and we only hire highly qualified staff. Our impeccable record of providing outstanding services to the residents of Tucson and all the surrounding communities has made us one of the few local contractors approved for the Efficient Home Program run by Tucson Electric Power. This program offers homeowners rebates for installing energy-efficient air conditioners and heat pumps and sealing their duct systems. In 2020, our company won the Super Service Award from Angie’s List and the Reader’s Choice Favorite from the Arizona Daily Star. Contact us at Rite Way Heating, Cooling & Plumbing today to obtain more information or schedule an appointment.
