Are you an Edmonton homeowner thinking it’s finally time to replace your aging furnace? Or maybe you’re already in the market for a furnace replacement, but aren’t sure where to start? If so, we have you covered.
In this short blog with Weiss-Johnson, let’s dive into some of the most common furnace replacement mistakes we see all the time—and how you can avoid falling into these pitfalls. Read on to learn more.
#1: Choosing an Incorrectly-Sized Furnace
Bigger isn’t always better, especially when it comes to finding the right-sized furnace replacement for your home.Unfortunately, this is an all-too-common point of confusion that causes headaches for homeowners.
While some calculator tools can help you find a rough starting point, many other factors should also be considered. Is your home properly insulated throughout? Is the home oriented to face or avoid the sun? How many windows do you have within the home, and how big are they?
All of these factors (and more) beyond square footage help tell the story of your home’s heating needs. Everything from your home’s existing architecture to the surrounding environment plays a crucial role. A qualified technician will perform an on-site inspection, ask the right questions, and perform the right calculations to find the right size for your home.
#2: Forgetting About Aging Ductwork
Furnace replacements aren’t always a direct swap. In some homes, especially older ones, the existing infrastructure may not support modern furnace upgrades. After years of heavy usage, ductwork can degrade due to wear and tear. If it’s been a while since your last ductwork inspection, these issues can cause airflow imbalance throughout your home. Leaky or aging or improperly sized ductwork must be addressed first, as a furnace replacement alone won’t fix the issue.
Your professional installer will review your home’s ductwork and let you know if any changes are needed before installation.
#3: Ignoring Energy Efficiency Ratings
While the upfront cost is often the first thing homeowners consider, the true cost of a furnace replacement extends beyond installation day. Much of the ongoing energy costs over the next 10 to 20 years will be dictated by energy efficiency.
Furnace energy efficiency is measured using Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE), which indicates how effectively a furnace converts fuel to usable heat. All new natural gas furnaces installed in Canada must have an AFUE of at least 90%. Furnaces are also available with various blower varieties, such as single-stage, two-stage, and variable-speed models, which greatly affect overall system performance.
#4: Not Installing with a Certified HVAC Installer
While it can be tempting to cut costs by hiring an unlicensed friend or neighbour, this is one of the riskiest mistakes homeowners make. A furnace integrates with the rest of your home’s internal HVAC system and must be installed properly to ensure the safety of both you and your loved ones. Proper furnace installation requires specialized knowledge to safely shut off and isolate gas lines, integrate the correct controls, and perform effective pressure testing.
By working with a certified HVAC professional, you can feel confident that the installation will be completed properly and fully up to code. They’ll have the proper equipment, the necessary permits, and will be fully insured to perform the furnace replacement.
Find the Right Fit with Weiss-Johnson
Ready to find your home’s next furnace replacement without the guesswork? We’re ready when you are.
For nearly 50 years, Weiss-Johnson has been supporting Edmonton homeowners with all their home’s heating, cooling, and plumbing needs. We’re passionate about providing exceptional, year-round care for your home. Get started with ustoday by booking your free consultation with our team.
