If you are looking at buying a furnace for your Twin Cities metro area home this fall, consider these questions you’ll want to ask your contractor.
- How do you plan to size the furnace? Proper size is imperative for efficiency and comfort. Make sure the contractor uses formal sizing methods, not rules of thumb or just buying the same one as before.
- What does the warranty cover and how long does it last? Finding out details about the warranty gives you peace of mind when you make your purchase.
- What maintenance plans do you offer? Preventative maintenance is important for maintaining low energy bills and keeping your furnace in great shape for years to come. Learn about available plans and prices and the services that accompany them.
- Where is the furnace vented? The answer is usually through the sidewall. Ask to see what the vent will look like, and if you prefer a different location, make your opinion known.
- Where does the condensate drain hose go? Condensing furnaces need a place for condensate to drain away. Find out how the pipe will be supported and sloped for proper drainage.
- Does the furnace feature sealed combustion? If so, the air should be drawn from outside.
- Can the furnace use the existing chimney? Find out if it needs a chimney liner to work with the new furnace.
- What will protect the furnace from flood damage? Request installation on bricks or pads to prevent water damage to the furnace if the basement floods.
- What’s involved in changing the filter? Find out how often to change the filter and how much replacement filters cost. Ask what type of filter is recommended for your new furnace.
- Is this model well established? When buying a furnace, you want one that has been in production long enough that it has a well-established track record.
- Does the furnace come with a new thermostat? If it’s a programmable model, request help learning how to use it.
- Is the existing ductwork compatible? The new furnace could generate increased airflow, which may require ductwork modifications.
For more help with buying a furnace for your Twin Cities metro area home, please contact the professionals at Marsh Heating & Air Conditioning today.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about buying a furnace and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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