According to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI), furnaces have an average lifespan of 15 to 25 years. As they should, considering they’re a hefty but necessary investment to keep your home in Fairfax or Loudoun County, VA, warm and comfortable.
However, several things can shorten the life of even the most durable heating systems. One of these is improper furnace installation. It can also result in even the most efficient systems performing poorly.
So, in this guide, our team of experts at KD Mechanical in Leesburg, VA, will explore what you need to know about furnace installation. Please read on; our insights can help you choose the best and most efficient system for your home and ensure it stays that way.
Familiarize Yourself With Furnace Terminology
Before you pick the biggest, coolest-looking furnace you find, it pays to learn some of the most common furnace terms first. Doing so can help you better navigate the world of energy-efficient heating options.
Stage or Burner Type
In furnaces, stage refers to their heating capacity setting. There are three: single-stage, dual-stage, and modulating burners.
A single-stage furnace only has one setting, meaning it runs at peak capacity at all times as long as it’s on. Because of this, single-stage furnaces can sometimes cause temperature fluctuations. They’re also the least efficient of all stages/burner types.
A dual-stage furnace has a low and a high setting. It can be more efficient than a single-stage furnace because you can put it in the low setting during the milder days in Fairfax or Loudoun County. Then, you can rely on it to keep your home as warm as possible during the coldest days by switching it to its high setting.
A modulating furnace adjusts the burner flame based on the setpoint temperature. Because of this feature, it provides the most comfort and maximum energy efficiency. However, expect it to be more expensive upfront than its single- and dual-stage counterparts.
Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE)
AFUE measures a furnace’s energy efficiency as a percentage. It represents the amount of fuel a furnace burns to create heat. The higher the number, the more efficient the heating system is.
Let’s use a furnace with an AFUE of 85% as an example. In this case, the system uses 85% of the fuel it burns to generate heat, while the remaining 15% escapes somewhere else, such as the chimney.
The minimum AFUE required for new furnaces is 81% (as of 2023). However, as the U.S. Department of Energy pointed out, you can find high-efficiency furnaces with AFUE ratings as high as 90% to 98.5%!
Blower Type
The blower in furnaces consists of fan blades, a motor, and an electrical system that powers the two. So, if you’ve been wondering if a gas furnace will work when there’s a power outage, the answer is no. While gas furnaces use gas to generate heat, they still need electricity to blow and spread that heat around your home.
There are three common blower types: single-speed, multi-speed, and variable-speed.
As its name implies, a single-speed blower blows warm air throughout your home at a fixed speed. It’s often the least expensive upfront but also the least efficient since it always runs at maximum speed.
A multi-speed blower usually has two or three settings: 50% and 100% or low, medium, and high. It provides more control and higher energy efficiency, as you can change the setting to low during milder days. With a lower setting, your system will use less energy to generate heat and circulate the warm air.
A variable-speed blower is the most efficient type, as it can make incremental speed adjustments. Operating at lower settings for extended periods improves temperature control, air circulation, and energy savings.
Mind Your Air Ducts
One of the worst furnace installation mistakes homeowners can make is purchasing high-efficiency residential furnaces but not considering the state of their air ducts. You don’t want to commit this error, as it can be costly since your ductwork can significantly impact your new furnace’s energy efficiency.
Leaky Ducts
The primary efficiency-related problem that ducts can cause is energy waste through leaks.
As the University of Florida (UF) points out, typical duct systems can waste up to 40% of heating and cooling energy. They also force HVAC systems to work harder, increasing energy consumption and utility bills. Plus, they can encourage mold issues, leading to poor indoor air quality (IAQ) and health and safety concerns.
Since leaky ducts make your furnace (and air conditioner) work harder, they can also affect your system’s lifespan. After all, the more effort your heating system puts in, the more wear and tear its components experience. The longer this goes on, the more likely and the sooner your furnace will need repairs.
So, regardless of how excellent your home heating efficiency rating is, it won’t matter that much if your ducts leak.
Dirty Ducts and Clogged Vents
Dirty ducts can also affect your new furnace’s efficiency by speeding up dirt build-up on your vents. When vents become clogged, they can restrict airflow, forcing your heating system to work harder to blow warm air throughout your home. Your home will also feel less toasty and warm, which isn’t ideal, especially not during Northern Virginia’s historic snowstorms.
Another way dirty ductwork can impact your heating system’s efficiency is by hastening the build-up of pollutants in air filters.
Every time your furnace blows air through the ducts, the air can carry dust and debris that have contaminated your ducts. The now-dirty air circulates throughout your home and passes through the filter on the next heating cycle, but not without the pollutants getting trapped in the filter first. The longer this goes on, the faster the air filter can clog up.
Once clogged, the air filter can restrict airflow, reducing system efficiency and performance.
The Solution
Hire a reputable contractor to inspect and clean your air ducts. It’s even more crucial if you haven’t had your ductwork checked and cleaned for over three years. Do the same if you can’t remember the last time you had these HVAC services.
Hire a Professional HVAC Contractor
Always hire a licensed, insured, and bonded HVAC contractor when you need a new furnace. Doing so protects you from the risks of subpar work and makes it easier to choose the best and most efficient system for your specific heating and cooling needs.
Here are some top things you can expect from a reputable contractor and why you need one for your HVAC installation service.
Guaranteed Experts
In the Commonwealth of Virginia, anyone wishing to engage in HVAC work must obtain a license. There are several types, including journeyman, master, and contractor licenses. All applicants must prove they meet the required classroom instruction and practical work experience.
Applicants must also pass state-mandated exams to qualify for licensure. HVAC contractors have additional requirements, such as insurance and bond.
So, when you hire a licensed HVAC contractor for your furnace installation, you can feel more assured that they’ve passed rigorous education and work experience requirements. You can enjoy peace of mind knowing they’re experts in what they do. Their insurance and bond protect you from shoddy work, property damage, and potential legal liabilities.
Thorough Pre-Installation Assessment
The most reliable HVAC contractors won’t just install your new furnace on their first visit. They’ll conduct a thorough pre-installation assessment first, which allows them to help you choose the best heating system for your specific needs.
Here’s an overview of the steps typically involved in a pre-installation assessment.
Determine the Heating Area’s Size
Your HVAC contractor will first measure the size and dimensions of your home’s heating area. They must do this to determine your new furnace’s appropriate heating capacity.
Sizing is crucial because it can affect a furnace’s performance and energy efficiency. If not done correctly, it can result in your new system being too small or too big.
A furnace that’s too small won’t be able to heat your home adequately. So, you’ll spend money on a new furnace that burns through a fuel source yet won’t keep you and your family warm enough.
An oversized furnace can also cause temperature woes, making your home too warm. It’ll also short cycle (turning on and off too rapidly) because it’ll reach your set temperature too quickly. Short cycling can cause premature wear and tear on your system’s components, causing them to break down faster.
Check the State of Your Air Ducts
If your air ducts are in disrepair, your HVAC contractor will recommend getting them sorted and fixed first. However, your contractor may recommend replacing them if they are old and require extensive work.
If you’d rather not have your ducts repaired or replaced, your contractor may advise you to opt for a ductless mini-split system. As its name suggests, this HVAC system doesn’t require ducts and provides heating and cooling.
Professional Installation
Because they have a reputation and business to protect, you can rest assured that reliable HVAC contractors will install your system per the manufacturer’s guidelines. They know that failing to do so can cause the system to fail to work correctly, leading to customer complaints. They also know how dangerous it is not to adhere to safety and building codes, so they ensure every installation they complete abides by these standards.
Warranty
New furnaces have manufacturer warranties with varying lengths ranging from 10 to 20 years for the heat exchanger. Other components may get a warranty of five to ten years.
A reputable contractor will explain all the critical details about warranties to help you choose the right furnace. They’ll also tell you what the warranty covers and what it doesn’t.
It’s also worth noting that many furnace manufacturers require professional installation by a licensed HVAC professional. If you don’t meet this requirement, your new furnace’s warranty can become invalid. So, don’t risk it; hire a licensed HVAC contractor to set up your new heating system.
Furnace Maintenance
One of the best ways to keep your furnace as efficient for as long as possible is to get it serviced by a professional yearly. Proper, regular maintenance helps reduce the odds of problems through the following steps:
- Inspecting the system for any signs of issues that may cause worse problems down the road
- Maintaining adequate airflow through timely air filter replacements
- Cleaning the burners to ensure they burn fuel efficiently
- Ensuring electrical components are secure and in good condition
- Assessing gas connections and valves
- Running safety tests
Also, some furnace manufacturers may require owners to get their systems serviced yearly by a licensed HVAC professional. It’s a requirement they may set to maintain the warranty’s validity.
The good news is that reputable HVAC contractors, such as KD Mechanical, offer service agreements. When you invest in one, you’ll pay less than what you’d otherwise pay if you schedule a maintenance service on the spot. You can also enjoy other perks like priority service and replacement part discounts.
Invest in an Intelligent Thermostat
Consider investing in a smart thermostat to maximize your new furnace’s efficiency. It lets you pre-program your desired temperature settings at specific times and days.
For example, you can set your furnace to lower temperatures when no one is home. Then, you can program it to a higher temperature a few minutes before you, your partner, or your kids typically return home.
With your smart thermostat, you can reduce heating energy bills while ensuring maximum comfort. Plus, you can link it with your smartphone, letting you control it wherever you are.
Let KD Mechanical Handle Your Furnace Installation
As you learned in this guide, there are many factors you must consider when investing in a new furnace installation, such as the system’s AFUE rating, size, and your existing air ducts. With all these variables, you may get confused about which option is the best for your home and family.
Don’t worry. Our team of experts at KD Mechanical can simplify things for you using our 50+ years of combined work experience in the HVAC industry. We’ll do a thorough pre-installation assessment and explain your options so you can make a more informed choice.
Contact us today to set up your appointment or get a service estimate!