No Arkansas homeowner wants to hear those painful words, “You need a new furnace,” but inevitably they will be spoken at some time, preferably not during winter’s chill. Bracing yourself beforehand—financially and mentally—for the cost of a furnace installation will make the process smoother.
Consult an Expert
Before tackling the cost of a furnace installation, ask your trustworthy HVAC contractor to inspect your current system and provide advice on these issues:
- Sizing—old furnaces are notoriously too large for most Arkansas homes due to early design inefficiencies
- Configuration—is yours a standalone furnace or part of a heating and cooling system, sharing ductwork?
- Heating Method—electric, natural gas, oil or an alternative fuel?
Hard Numbers, Please
Your professional HVAC contractor is not ignoring you when you ask for, but do not get, an exact dollar amount for the cost of a furnace installation. Many worksite challenges affect cost:
- Physical location—are steps involved?
- Ductwork age and condition
- Venting
- Need for modifying existing ductwork
- Changeover in fuel type
Expect an on-site evaluation before any written estimate. A new furnace is a major investment—a capital expense as accountants say—that it will cost several thousand dollars. This is before optional features:
- Variable-speed blower motor
- Programmable thermostats
- Humidifiers
- Pleated or deep-media filters
Fuel Wise
Consider switching fuel types to save money. The cost of a furnace installation should factor in anticipated future fuel costs. No one has a crystal ball, but historical trends can guide you. Will fuel oil, natural gas or electricity be least costly? Think about alternative fuels. Furnaces today can combine with solar hot water, geothermal and other environmentally advanced choices.
- Electric—small units, no venting, no storage tanks and easy maintenance and least energy-efficient heating
- Gas—quick warming, very energy efficient; however, may require extensive modifications for gas lines
- Oil—needs a storage tank and is older technology
Clear Communication
To hold down the cost of a furnace installation, work closely with your HVAC contractor. Make your concerns and needs known throughout the project. Listen to the voice of experience, and be open to suggestions for economical alternatives. To begin the process, contact us at Paschal Heat, Air & Geothermal today.
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 furnaces and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
Credit/Copyright Attribution: “Tang Yan Song/Shutterstock”
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