January 8, 2021
Central heating systems are the most popular heating options when it comes to home heating, and for good reason. Rather than having to install a heating system in each room, you can heat your entire home through a series of ducts. But installation can be an involved process. Have you scheduled your first central heating system installation? Converting from a different heating system to a central heating system? Let’s talk about what you can expect.
Central heating systems involve a gas furnace that heats the air that passes over the heat exchanger and a duct system through which the heated air is forced. Thus, installing a central heating system can be quite an intense process; it requires not just the installation of the furnace but of the duct system within your walls. If you’re still trying to make a decision as to whether or not central heating is right for you, you might want to know what exactly goes into a central heating installation. Here’s the process when you have central heating installed:
Every installation process begins with choosing the heating system you need. Gas furnaces are the most popular choice; but there are also air and ground source heat pumps, electric heating systems, and boilers. Boilers are often also considered central heating systems, though they work very differently than gas furnaces. They tend to be better for homes in colder climates or homes that you want to zone. There are also electric furnaces that could be an option, as opposed to gas furnaces, though electric furnaces can be more costly.
Once you choose your system, you can choose the HVAC company to install the system. It helps to find a local company, as they’ll be most familiar with your climate. Open availability is also handy. Check reviews for local HVAC companies to find a trustworthy company to install your new system.
Once you choose an HVAC professional to install your central heating system, you’ll need to schedule an initial appointment. An HVAC technician will come to your home to assess the space that needs to be heated. At this appointment, they’ll be able to determine what size furnace is the right option for your home, since too large or too small can lead to high heating bills and poor heating. If you don’t already have a duct system installed, they can determine how the ducts will be installed. These ducts will also serve to funnel your conditioned air during the summer if you pair your furnace with central air conditioning.
Next, it’s time to install the ducts. Air ducts are round pipes that are connected to one another and installed in a network inside the walls, taped to supports and ending with vents built into your walls. Your furnace will force the heated air into these ducts, and the air will flow through the ducts and out the air vents throughout your home. Thus, the wall will need to be opened for this project, making it the most intensive part of the process. The good news is that once ducts are installed, they can be used by your entire HVAC system, both heating and cooling.
Ductwork installation typically takes between one and two days. The ducts are installed, and a new wall is installed over them, with vents in the right places so that air can flow freely into your home. You should also make sure your HVAC company uses a durable duct material, as leaking ducts can lead to poor heating and higher HVAC bills.
Typically, your furnace is installed in the basement of your home or in a storage closet. The important thing is that it will need to be hooked up to gas, as well as to electrical wiring. If you don’t have one already, you may need to install a gas connection for the furnace. Once done, the gas will need to be shut off and the gas connection linked to the furnace. The same process repeats for electrical. Most furnaces include low and line voltage connections in order to run smoothly. The installation crew will know the ins and outs of your furnace and will know exactly how to hook up your furnace properly. There’s also a condensate drain, usually a hose connected to a drain drilled in the basement floor. It funnels condensation created by your furnace away from the house.
Once everything is in place and connected, the installation crew will double check their work to ensure no mistakes were made and no damage was done. They will clean up their work, and finally they’ll turn on the furnace. From there, you can enjoy your new central heating system throughout the winter and for years to come. It will also be much easier to install central air conditioning when you need it.
Your central heating installation is only as good as your central heating installation crew. At Service Champions, we are local HVAC experts on call 24/7. Not only are we available to help you when you need it with installations, repairs, and maintenance, but we are the most highly reviewed HVAC company in Northern California. Contact us today for more information or to set up an appointment.