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Gas Furnace Installation

Omkar Phatak
Gas furnaces are widely used to keep homes warm during winter, due to many of their superior features, compared to other furnaces. Here, is a simple guide to their installation.
Out of all the heating options available to home owners, a gas furnace is the most energy efficient, with relatively low cost of operation. In North American climates, the cost of heating is one of the biggest expenses for a home owner. An energy efficient furnace is an ideal solution, which saves a lot of money and also reduces air pollution.
A lot depends on how you install the furnace. There are a lot of calculations involved in determining the exact system size, that will create the right ambient temperature for your home and provide maximum efficiency.
There are system sizing software programs available on websites of furnace manufacturers. They can help you decide the right size for your system.
Choose your furnace system, only after thorough research regarding your requirements. Go for high efficiency furnaces, as they save money for you. Otherwise, you may end up paying a lot more for a system, which is oversized for your house, causing discomfort. Research market prices, before going ahead and check the installation cost.

How Does a Gas Furnace Work?

Following are the four steps in which the furnace works:
  • It absorbs cold air.
  • Air taken is filtered.
  • Air is heated with the use of a stainless steel heat exchanger.
  • Warm air is pushed out by a blower motor and conveyed through ducts to your rooms.
This is how your furnace works in short.

Installation Procedure

Step 1: Shut Down the Earlier System and Turn off Gas

If there is an old system, that you need to replace, then switch it off and most importantly, turn off the gas being supplied to the system. This is essential, as otherwise, it may lead to a gas leak hazard. Then, you can detach the old system, right off the ducts.

Step 2: Check Ductwork and Clean it

Check the existing ductwork for your home. Get it cleaned and restructured, if you need to. In case, you are putting in a new system, you will have to plan and design the ductwork. Then, of course, you will have to get it fabricated and installed.

Step 3: Place the New System In

Once you are ready with the ductwork, unpack the new system, and read the installation instructions, that are provided by the manufacturer. Then, attach the new heater system in the wall and connect the gas ducts to it. Attach the power plug. Follow the instructions carefully.

Step 4: Make a Gas Connection

Connect the gas outlet to the furnace. Check the ducts for any leakage, before you turn on the gas flow. If there is any leakage, repair it immediately. Then, turn the gas on. It is a good idea to wait for some time, before you start the gas burning.
If there is any gas smell, it indicates a leakage. Double checking is always better. If you find no problems, hit the gas ignition and you are done.
It is better if you are adept at troubleshooting the furnace, as problems keep cropping up in these systems periodically.