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