My contact in life has taught me that if you are able to break projects up into uncomplicated steps, you will become the scholar of that project. That is the dissimilarity in the middle of a smart man and a wise person.
Having said that, let us survey how you can setup a new or used furnace..... The wise way. I have broken down the process into 13 easy steps. Will you learn everything I know in this article? Of course not. I have installed thousands of furnaces in my lifetime. You will, however, understand the process.
Step 1. Tool list. Nothing is more frustrating than getting started on a furnace job only to find you are missing some of the tools needed to accomplish the job. Most of you already have most of the basic tools you will need. Ex: screwdrivers, drills, hammer, etc. I will help you put your list together so that you will have everything you need before you even begin the job.
Step 2. Assessing your home. You are going to need to understand how your home is made and insulated. Do you have new or old windows and doors? Is there any air infiltrating your home via dryer vents, window fans, etc? Do you have a basement or is your home on a concrete slab? You will need to know this in order to setup the spoton equipment in your home.
Step 3. Assessing the Heating/Cooling theory and duct-work. This is the most leading step. Why? The rejoinder might surprise you. It might even surprise some Hvac Contractors. The equipment must be sized right. Hands down. No exceptions. Why? You might be mental "Doesn't the rule 'the bigger the better' apply here?" No. Let me rephrase that: Heck no!
I will give you a brief example here. If you were to put an over-sized air conditioner in your home, the air conditioner would only run for a few minutes until the thermostat was at the desired temperature. Great! The bigger A/C saved me energy by running a short time, and bringing the climatic characteristic down super fast! What's the problem there? Yes, you did cool your home quickly, but what you did not do was remove humidity (water in the air) from your home. The longer an A/C runs, the more water it removes from the air. That extra water in the air is what makes you uncomfortable in hot weather. The idea is to make you comfortable. Cooling down the house super quick will have the opposite effect. The same principle applies with a furnace. It must be sized properly. There are lots of online heating and cooling calculators out there that are free. Just Google 'heating and cooling load calculator'. The instructions are normally included. I have included one in a guide that I wrote called "The ultimate Furnace installation Guide". I found that heat/load calculator online for free.
Step 4. Materials list. Ductwork. You will need to keep a running list of materials you will need when you go to the store(for all materials). Possibly the size of the return needs to be bigger. You no doubt will have to attach the old duct-work to the new furnace. The installation instructions that come with the furnace will tell you what the sizes will be for a proper installation. All part of Step 3
Step 5. Materials list - Electrical. As you collate your home as part of step 3, you will be able to conclude what your new electrical needs will be. Make a detailed list. Keep in mind that all new furnaces need a ground wire. If you do not have a ground wire on your old power supply, you will have to setup one.
Step 6. Materials list - Gas line supplies. Also to be carefully in step 3. Hopefully by now you see the wisdom of following this process step by step. Development these lists before you start the installation will help you in the long run. With all of the needed materials on hand, as well as a plan of action, you won't find yourself on the third day of the install, minus 10 degree, and having to run to 15 distinct stores.
Step 7. Yet someone else Materials List - Miscellaneous. This will be carefully by the type of furnace you have, or will purchase. Ex: an 80% productive furnace will require distinct flue pipe materials than a 90% productive furnace.
Step 8. Seeing local suppliers to work with. This might be your biggest hurdle. In the past, you were kinda strapped into your local area suppliers. Nowadays you have the internet. Use it to your advantage. Doing a google search with the words "furnace goodman" will bring up a surprising whole of information. All the time make sure to ask about the warranty. Keep in mind here that buying your own furnace saves you thousands of dollars - even if you end up hiring a undertaker of a package deal to setup it you for you!
Step 9. Remove power and fuel furnish from your existing equipment. Yeah I know, but some folks start ripping things apart and fully forget this step. It's a reminder.
Step 10. Derive your existing ductwork into place. Why? There is nothing more heartbreaking than beginning to remove a furnace, only ot have the existing ductwork fall to the ground at your feet. Not only does this add someone else day to your job, but also adds new 4 letter words to your vocabulary. Hence, Step 10. Derive the existing ductwork with cleats and screws.
Step 11. Removing the old equipment. Now that you have turned off all power to the furnace, and have secured your ductwork you are ready to start removing the old equipment. Once removed, set it off to the side out of your working space.
Step 12. Putting it all back together. This section is broken up into 6 sub-sections.
- Aligning the furnace. If this is done right, you will cut down on the whole of work and ductwork you will have to make
- Attaching the Return and Boot to the new furnace
- Attaching Old Plenum (ductwork leaving old furnace) to new furnace. This is called the Transition
- Reconnecting the gas line, and testing for leaks
- Running the flue pipes to remove the spent fuel gases
- Reconnection of the thermostat and high-voltage power supply
Step 13. beginning up your equipment. normally the instructions from the builder will tell you exactly how they would like the new furnace started and tested. Ensue their instructions as closely as possible.
There you have it. Twenty years of contact wrapped up in 13 easy steps. If you are mental of installing your own furnace, I hope this helps you out.
Copyright Gatto Publishing 2008
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