A furnace is the one thing that you’ll hardly miss in any home. It’s definitely a good investment considering it plays a role in how comfortable a family feels. That’s why it’s only logical to thoroughly look at all the available options before you make any decision that has a bearing on its upgrade or an installation project. There are so many factors that one needs to take into account when thinking about how to save the home energy costs. As much as we would love to talk about these factors, today we’re going to focus more on the steps that you need to take while installing you furnace.
If you’ve seen a furnace you’d know installing it is a complicated endeavor. It’s not one of those things that can be part of your do-it-yourself project list. You might stop for a second to think about how you can save the installation fee, but furnaces have so many complicated components that require specialized tools and an installation expertise of a qualified HVAC professional. Some of these components are plumbing, ducting, electrical, and the gas. For our example, we’ve decided to use a forced-air, gas furnace because it’s a popular choice in most homes.
1. Choose the furnace and pick a location for installation
You’ll have to look for a suitable location for the furnace that you’ve chosen. Selecting on a proper space will depend on two things: the furnace type and your plans for the remaining space. Every furnace has a unique set of installation specifications included with the unit. In other words, each unit will outline the clearance and ventilation requirements.
Before you start installing your furnace, ensure you’ve cleaned all the dust and debris from the area. And if you’re planning to install the furnace in the basement, you’ll have to place it on blocks that are at least 4 inches above ground. This will protect it against flooding. Check whether the furnace came with rubber isolation pads. If it doesn’t have any, you’ll have to purchase some pads which will help absorb the noise coming from it while it’s running.
2. Decide where the drain and duct will run
There’s no specification on where the return air duct needs to be. It can be at the bottom or on the side of the unit, but it will need a hole cut into the unit. Most furnaces come with the appropriate size opening already marked.
The next thing you need to do is to figure out which side the condensate drain should run. You’ll have to place the furnace into slanted position, to allow the condensation to drain. Additional resources are available at the Climate Experts website.
3. Ducting system connection
With the help of a duct sealant or metal foil tape, connect it to the property’s ducting system and seal all the connections.
4. Connect vent pipes
Connect the pipes, and confirm once more it’s still sloping towards the unit. We want the condensation to safely drain.
5. Connect gas supply
Make sure there’s adequate ventilation, and when it’s done, check a second time for the leaks.
6. Connect electrical supply
Any furnace will have two connections; a low and line voltage. You should be mindful of the polarity. Before you start the furnace, use the instruction manual to verify the wiring.
7. Connect condensate drain and check your work
You can connect a hose to a drain hole. Once you’re done, run it through a heating cycle to be sure the temperature outputs are at a level described by the manufacturer.
