How Can I Prepare My Home for Furnace Replacement Day?
Proper preparation for a furnace installation improves the odds that the process will go smoothly. Our HVAC technicians can typically complete a furnace replacement project in 4-8 hours, if there aren’t any challenges with accessing the space. Especially during the cooler months, this ensures your home doesn’t have to go without heat for too long. It also makes work easier for our technicians, allowing them to deliver high-quality results when putting in a new furnace.
Confirming Installation Details Beforehand
First, you want to confirm what the date and time for the heater installation will be. Once you know our arrival window, you can make sure someone will be present.
Second, you should review the available equipment and pricing. Confirm that your preferred new furnace achieves the efficiency and performance that your home requires. We will also provide an electronic or written confirmation of the exact model going into your home.
Third, it is always a good idea to check with local regulators to ensure that you have all the permits for your project. Always verify what the permitting rules are in your municipality.
Finally, make sure the attic, service closet, crawlspace, or basement that houses the furnace is accessible. There needs to be room for our technicians to station equipment, remove old parts, and bring in the components for your new furnace. A good rule of thumb is to clear at least three feet around the current furnace.
Clearing Pathways for Installers
In addition to clearing the immediate area around the furnace, it is wise to clear pathways that lead to the furnace’s location. Move furniture out of the way. Remove any potential tripping hazards. Also, make sure that the carpeting and door sill are secured. Make preparations to control pets during the entire period. Similarly, be sure to contain younger children.
Preparing the Furnace Area
Removing all dust and debris in a three-foot area around the furnace is important. Vacuum and sweep the area. Also, remove any items that might be stored in the vicinity.
This is also a good time to replace any burned-out light bulbs in the work area. People often ignore the bulbs in attics and basements, so verify that the lights are working.
We also need access to the utilities in your home.
This includes:
- Clearing three feet around the electrical panel
- Providing a clear path to the gas shutoff valve
- Labeling the breakers on the electrical panel
Protecting Your Home and Belongings
Our installers always make every effort to respect customers’ belongings. However, accidents do happen. Take down any wall art, fragile items, or valuables in the work area and along the pathway to the furnace. Vibrations from work can cause even seemingly well-secured items to fall. You may also want to lay down drop cloths to protect the flooring or carpeting.
We recommend that customers take pre-installation photos. If there is a later concern with this installation, this will help us understand what we need to do. Customer satisfaction is always a priority during a heater replacement or installation.
If you keep any documents in or near the work area, it is prudent to move them elsewhere. Many people also disconnect sensitive electronics and move them to another location.
Understanding What Needs to be Shut Off
Be prepared! The gas shut-off valve must be accessible for a furnace installation. We have to turn it off to safely remove the old system and set up the new furnace. Our technicians always check the lines to ensure they’re in good enough shape before performing a heating installation.
We will also need to turn off the breaker that runs to the furnace. Make sure the panel is accessible, and its door moves freely. Identify the necessary circuit breakers for turning off power to the HVAC system.
If you’re uncomfortable doing this work, hire an electrician to handle the job. This is an especially good idea if your home’s electrical panel hasn’t been properly labeled before, since a professional can accurately trace the circuits before labeling them.
The water main shutoff should be accessible for work on furnaces attached to humidification systems. Have towels ready, if the heater installation job also involves a whole-house humidifier.
What Homeowners Should Do with Their Thermostat
A thermostat replacement may be necessary to ensure compatibility with the new furnace. Many modern furnaces have efficiency and performance controls that require appropriate thermostat components to operate properly. If a thermostat replacement is necessary, clear a path to the thermostat and take pictures of the current thermostat wiring.
Also, have the Wi-Fi password ready if you’re installing a smart thermostat. It is a good idea to have your smartphone on hand for setting up the thermostat’s app, too.
Preparing for a Brief Heating Downtime
If the temperature is going to be cool on the day of the heating replacement, try to keep your house as closed as possible. Close doors, windows, and curtains. Layer clothing and break out blankets. Consider temporarily having smaller pets, elderly family members, or individuals with immune issues stay somewhere else until the heat is back on.
Portable heaters are okay for supplemental heating during an installation. However, be sure that someone is there to monitor the portable heater at all times.
Ask About Ductwork Access
Our technicians may need to inspect the duct connections.
This is necessary to:
- Confirm a seal where the new furnace attaches to the ducts
- Check for leaks
- Verify that airflow is sufficient
Make sure there aren’t any furnishings or curtains near the vents or the return registers. Open all vents and registers completely before a heater installation. This makes it easier for our technicians to determine if something might be interfering with system performance.
Communicate with Your HVAC Team
Ask questions to prepare before the installation.
These should include:
- Confirming the model for installation
- Clarifying the date, time, and expected timeline
- Learning about the warranty
- Discussing maintenance requirements
- Pointing out any access problems
- Finding a spot for our technicians to park
- Figuring out where to dispose of waste following the installation
What Happens After Installation
Our technicians will perform a full operating test, check for gas leaks, and calibrate the thermostat. We will perform a walkthrough with you to discuss the various settings. Likewise, we will point out the filter and emergency shut-off locations.
This is also a good time to:
- Register your furnace’s warranty
- Start a maintenance log
- Schedule your furnace’s first annual tune-up
Schedule an Installation Today
People in Lakeland, FL, trust One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating to handle their installation and replacement jobs. Contact us today to schedule a furnace installation.