Your New Furnace: Questions for Your Contractor

Purchasing a furnace is a big investment. Deciding on the right one requires thought and research. Here is a comprehensive list of questions to ask any prospective contractor. The answers can help to ensure that you get a heating system that will keep your home comfortable and energy efficient for many years. 

• How will the furnace be sized? Your prospective contractor should do a heating load calculation based on the industry-standard Manual J method. This takes into account various factors ranging from the orientation of your home and the size of your windows to the number of people living in your home. Any prospective contractor who uses just the square footage of your home or the size of your present furnace should be avoided.
• What kind of ductwork modifications do you anticipate? The Manual J calculation should be followed up with a Manual D calculation to determine the size and layout of your ductwork.
• How long has the furnace you’re recommending been manufactured? How long have you been installing it?
• Will this new furnace have sidewall venting? What does it look like, and where will you put it? If you want to change the location of the vent, the time to do it is before installation.
• Should the furnace be on a raised platform? A basement and a garage, where many furnaces are located, can get wet from to time. Does your prospective contractor think it best to put your air handler an inch or two above the floor?
• Do you have references? Ask the contractor for at least three recent references, and call each one with a list of prepared questions pertaining to the skill, professionalism and satisfaction in regard to the work performed.
• What is the correct way to change or clean the filter? Also inquire about the frequency of changes and the cost of a new filter.
• Will the current chimney be used? If the answer is yes, will a liner be required?
• Do you recommend a programmable thermostat? A furnace installation is an optimal time to upgrade to a programmable or smart thermostat. This is also a good time to discuss a zoned heating system.
• What is the length of the warranty, and what does it cover? Is there an option to purchase an extended warranty.

Protect your investment by hiring the right furnace contractor for installation, service and maintenance. Call the experts at CR Wolfe Heating & Air Conditioning, and we’ll answer all your questions. We’ve been serving the residents of the Middletown area for more than 60 years.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Middletown, New York about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about furnace questions and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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