The older your furnace is, the more likely it is that it needs to be replaced. Older furnaces often keep puttering away for a long time, but they do lose efficiency as they age. Plus, homeowners don't often enjoy living on the edge, knowing that their old furnace is more likely to break down and require repairs at any time. For the most part, having your old furnace replaced is pretty simple. You call an HVAC contractor, get a quote, and let them start working. However, if your furnace is very old, there may be some extra steps they have to take when replacing it.
Replacing the Wiring
Even if you have a gas furnace, there will be some electrical components, such as the fan. Your HVAC replacement contractor will check to ensure the wires connecting to the furnace are in good condition. If your current furnace has been in place for a long time, there may be some damage to the wires. In this case, your HVAC contractor will either replace them or hire an electrician to do the same.
Replacing the Thermostat
Do you have an older, dial-style thermostat? This is common in homes with really old furnaces since those furnaces do not always work well with programmable thermostats. However, many newer furnaces are not compatible with dial-style thermostats. So, your furnace replacement contractor will likely need to replace your thermostat alongside your furnace. This is actually really good news since programmable thermostats can help you conserve energy.
Moving Some Ducts
Older furnaces were different shapes than new ones. The ducts associated with your old furnace may not be long enough to reach your new furnace. As such, your HVAC contractor may need to remove and replace the main section of ductwork when they replace your furnace.
Installing a New Vent
Furnaces that are more than a decade or so old sometimes vent through a chimney. If this is the case, your HVAC contractor will need to run a new, PVC vent out the side of your home when they install a new furnace. PVC-vented furnaces are now the norm. They release far fewer emissions, which means a chimney is not really necessary.
If you have an old furnace, having it replaced is almost always a smart move. Just be prepared for your HVAC contractor to tell you that they need to do one or more of the things above as a part of the process.
Contact a local heating company to learn more.
Share24 July 2023
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