| If you receive month after month of high energy | | | | have to be updated so the furnace gets the |
| bills, your first instinct might be to panic. Actually, | | | | proper power. Again, that is extra. |
| it might be to search for energy saving tips. If | | | | Also, be aware that the ducts might need to be |
| your bills are still high, the next logical step many | | | | repaired or replaced, depending on the furnace. It |
| homeowners take is to assume the furnace may | | | | makes no sense to have a high efficiency furnace |
| need to be serviced, or worse, replaced. | | | | if the ductwork is bad or in need of repair. Once |
| Replacing a furnace with a newer model is always | | | | again, that is extra. |
| expensive. There's the cost of the unit, then the | | | | When the contractor walks through your home |
| cost of the installation to consider. It requires an | | | | and gives you an estimate for a new furnace plus |
| HVAC contractor or technician to install and setup | | | | installation, ask for a breakdown of the costs. Ask |
| for you. | | | | what he plans to do. And definitely ask about the |
| Chances are you might not even need a new | | | | efficiency. I would definitely get more than one |
| furnace. If a contractor inspects your house and | | | | opinion as mentioned before. |
| tells you that you need a new furnace, I would | | | | Furnaces are usually installed rather quickly, |
| definitely get a second or third opinion. If nothing | | | | especially in the colder months. Most of the time, |
| else, you can choose from the best price and | | | | for a straight forward installation, the technician |
| service offering. | | | | can have the unit installed in as little as a day, |
| Be aware that when a furnace is updated, there | | | | possibly with a return visit to tidy up, tune up, or |
| are several not-so-obvious additional costs you | | | | perform related work. Of course, if ducts have to |
| are most likely to incur. | | | | be replaced or wiring has to be done, the |
| First, there's the thermostat. Different furnace | | | | estimate increases from there. |
| brands and models may require certain | | | | Now that said, a new furnace / any HVAC work |
| thermostats. If your thermostat has to be | | | | done recently (the last 7-8 years) will add value |
| replaced, that is extra. There may be additional | | | | to your home and make it more attractive to |
| wiring as well from the furnace to the thermostat. | | | | potential buyers, as well as more comfortable for |
| So be prepared to possibly have to repaint a wall | | | | you. |
| or two. Additionally, the electrical supply line may | | | | |