The Installation of Your Condensing Gas Furnace: Factors You'll Need to Keep in Mind

When it comes time for installation of your home’s new condensing gas furnace, you may have a lot of questions. But will you know if the answers you get are correct?

Consider the Contractor

You need to know how your contractor selected the correct size furnace for your space. If the furnace is too big, it will short cycle leading to a number of issues, including uncomfortable temperature swings, a greater chance of condensate collecting and corroding furnace components, and excessive air flow out of registers.

Your contractor should be experienced in installing the exact model of condensing gas furnace you purchased. Ask about previous installations, and ask to see pictures. A professional job will look as good as the manufacturer’s brochure pictures (no odd attachments, no out-of-level ducts and pipes, and no hanging wires).

Ask for a reference from previous installation customers. Call them and ask if they were pleased with the service, and how the contractor handled callbacks for minor (or major) problems.

Finessing the Furnace

• Footing matters. Your new furnace should sit on a raised bed of concrete or brick, so any potential basement flooding does not harm the unit.
• Location matters. The condensing gas furnace needs outside air for maximum efficiency, so the air intake pipe should be a direct run. Next to it you should find the exhaust pipe, angled up to the outside so any condensate will drip back into the furnace. The two pipes need to be similarly situated outside your home, so wind pressure across their openings is equal (preventing back drafting).
• Details matter. The drainage for a condensing gas furnace needs to be close to the furnace, with a drain tube running without bends or kinks directly into the drain. Ideally, the furnace itself will tip very slightly toward the drain to aid in runoff of condensate. All electrical connections should be grounded.

For more great ideas on condensing gas furnace installation for your northwest Arkansas home, please contact us at Paschal Heat, Air & Geothermal.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Springdale, Arkansas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about condensing gas furnaces and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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