Top Tips for Furnace Installation in Petaluma: What You Need to Know

San Rafael

(415) 942-6565

Santa Rosa

(707) 452-3464

Furnace installation can be an overwhelming topic to consider. Aside from knowing how to choose the right furnace unit for your home’s heating needs, there are many other factors to consider, such as cost, labor, and the removal of your current furnace. How do you know when you need a simple repair or a replacement, what you can fix yourself and what you need to call heating and cooling services for? Read on to find out everything you need to know about professional furnace installation, furnace repair, and other professional HVAC services!

Choosing the Right Furnace for Your Home

Consider the size of your home and its insulation to determine the right furnace size. Think about your budget and energy needs to choose the right type of furnace. A larger home may require a more powerful furnace to heat it efficiently, and well-insulated homes may require a smaller furnace to maintain a comfortable temperature.

Research different types of furnaces, including gas, electric, and oil furnaces, to determine which one is best for your home. Gas furnaces are often more cost-effective in the long run but may have higher upfront costs. Electric furnaces are often less expensive to install but may have higher operating costs. Something like a heat pump or electric furnace could raise your energy score on home energy audits, which is helpful if you plan on selling your home in the future.

Consider the AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) rating of the furnace to ensure it meets your energy efficiency needs. Look for furnaces with a high SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating for improved cooling efficiency. You want to take into consideration your local climate as you look into different heating systems. It is also best to consult a professional who can help you determine the exact heating goals of your home and which system can best meet those goals in your local winter climate.

Something else to consider is the local building codes and regulations in your area. You will want to be sure you choose a certified contractor who knows these regulations and will be able to follow them when installing your new system.

When Do You Need a Professional Furnace Installation?

If your old furnace is inefficient or broken, it may be time to consider a new installation. An inefficient furnace can cost you lots of money in energy bills since it uses more effort to try to run and heat your home at the requested temperature. A malfunctioning furnace can also be a safety hazard.

If you’re building a new home or renovating a professional furnace installation can ensure your HVAC system is installed correctly and meets local building codes. Furnace professionals can also help you determine the correct type and size of the furnace to put in your new home to heat it efficiently.

If you want to upgrade to a more energy-efficient model, a professional installation can help you choose the right furnace for your needs. A more energy-efficient furnace can help you save money on energy and reduce your carbon footprint.

Benefits of Professional Furnace Installation

A professional installation from a certified HVAC technician can ensure your furnace operates efficiently and effectively. An installation that is done professionally can also help you save money on energy and reduce unnecessary carbon emissions. HVAC technicians are specially trained to install the system so that it runs to the best of its ability and does not waste unnecessary energy trying to heat your home. This can also improve home comfort and air quality.

Licensed professionals can ensure your furnace is installed correctly and meets local building codes, reducing the risk of accidents and safety hazards. They can make sure everything is vented properly so that no dangerous gases can leak back into your home. If a heating/cooling system is installed correctly by an HVAC contractor, there will be fewer furnace repair service needs over time.

What to Expect During a Furnace Installation

A pre-installation inspection and assessment come first to determine the right furnace size and type for your home. A skilled technician from an HVAC company will inspect your home to determine the right furnace size and type for your needs. The technician will also assess your HVAC system to ensure it’s compatible with the new furnace.

Next, the old furnace will be removed and disposed of properly. usually, this will require an additional cost for an HVAC company to remove and safely dispose of your old furnace. The new furnace will be installed and connected to your HVAC system. The new furnace will then be tested once it’s installed to ensure it’s operating efficiently and effectively.

Cost of Furnace Installation and Replacement

The cost of furnace installation and replacement can vary depending on the type and size of the furnace. It can also depend on the complexity of the installation and the cost of labor and materials for the job. When considering the cost of furnace installation, it is important to recognize your home’s needs and the most efficient furnace system that will work for you. For example, though traditional gas furnaces have a cheaper installation cost, you will save a lot more money over time in energy costs if you install a heat pump system.

The best way to get the best price and value is to get quotes from multiple reputable contractors. Always make sure the HVAC technician is licensed and insured, and look at reviews and testimonials from local customers in your area to make sure that customer satisfaction is the top priority of the HVAC contractor you are looking at and that you are getting the best furnace service at a reasonable price. There are many companies that offer a complimentary furnace maintenance job a year after the installation of a new unit. Also, if you install a heat pump, ductless mini-split, or electrically powered unit, there are usually many rebates available to apply for that will lower the initial price of the system.

Importance of Regular Maintenance for Your Air Conditioning/Heating System

Regular maintenance can help prevent future furnace repairs, improve energy efficiency, and reduce costs. Maintenance can also improve indoor air quality and reduce safety hazards. Annual inspections from heating and air conditioning contractors can help identify potential issues before they become major problems and also help extend the lifespan of your furnace. You do not want to have to deal with constant furnace repairs or any dangerous emergencies with a malfunctioning furnace, such as leaks or overheating issues. The best way to avoid this is to not only schedule an annual furnace tune-up with a professional but also perform smaller maintenance tasks yourself, such as changing air filters, duct cleaning, and cleaning out the combustion chamber and blower compartment.

Furnace Repair vs. Replacement

It can be difficult to decide when to replace your furnace or when a simple furnace repair will do the trick. The best way to determine if you need a furnace repair or replacement is to get a professional to inspect the system and give their opinion. A sign you should get a furnace replacement is if you have had frequent furnace repairs, but the same issues keep coming up or if it is far past its expected lifespan and can no longer heat your home efficiently. When you are paying for increased energy bills because the furnace is having to work harder to properly heat your home, it is most likely that you will save more by replacing it with a new unit.

You should stick to furnace repair in Petaluma if your furnace is still under warranty or if the cost of repair is less than 50% of the replacement cost. You don’t want to prematurely replace your system if a simple furnace repair service or the replacement of a faulty part can get it working efficiently again.

When it comes to furnace repair, it is important to act as quickly as possible. As soon as you discover a problem, you should either try to troubleshoot the issue yourself or call HVAC services to assist you. Timely furnace repair service can prevent future issues from evolving and preserve the life of your system so that you will not need a premature replacement.

Furnace Repair Service

What are the common problems that can occur with your furnace? How can you repair them to avoid having to replace your system, and when do you need to call heating repair specialists?

Thermostat Problems

One of the first things to check if you are experiencing furnace troubles is your thermostat. make sure it is set to heating mode and that the settings are at the correct temperature. You also want to make sure the batteries haven’t died. It is possible the wiring or placement may be incorrect as well, in which case you will need to call for HVAC services.

Furnace Power

Make sure the furnace switch near your unit is flipped on and also that you don’t have a tripped circuit breaker for the furnace on your main breaker board. You may need a professional electrician if there are problems with the furnace circuit board’s wiring since the circuit board is essentially the furnace’s brain and needs to be functioning for the system to work.

Gas Valve

A gas furnace works by gas entering the combustion chamber where the burner flames ignite and heat the air. Since the gas valve is what allows fuel to enter the furnace for it to begin the heating process, this valve needs to be opened. It is possible it closed for safety reasons, but it might be malfunctioning if it is closing frequently for no reason.

Dirty Air Filters

Since air filters are what prevent various dust and pollutants from circulating through your air, they eventually become clogged with debris and can hinder the performance of your furnace if not regularly changed. Change your furnace filter every one to three months as part of your maintenance routine.

Blocked Air Vents

Sometimes, a furnace’s problems can stem from air vents in your home that are closed or blocked in some way. All vents should be open and uncovered in order for your furnace to not overwork itself and to help your house achieve the desired temperature.

Unlit Pilot Light

For older furnace models that have pilot lights, this flame needs to be lit for your system to run. An unlit pilot light will not heat up the gas to create hot air. You can relight the flame yourself, or you can have a heating repair professional help you. The burner flames should also be blue in color, not yellow or orange.

Broken Draft Inducer Motor

If the draft inducer motor on your furnace is faulty, the furnace could either run less efficiently or not at all since this motor pulls fresh air to the burner in order to remove any unsafe gas fumes from the previous heating cycle. If you can hear rattling or humming sounds when you try to run your heater, this could indicate the motor is loose and is probably unable to pull air into the system, so you should call for heater repair.

Cracked Hot Surface Ignitor

The hot surface ignitor is what starts the heating process in newer models instead of the pilot light after the gas flows into the system, using electricity to spark a flame so that gas heats up when it reaches the burners. The hot surface ignitor could crack, or it could not be receiving enough electricity from the circuit board. This is an issue that should be handled by HVAC services.

Faulty Flame Sensor

This safety device detects the flame inside the furnace before it allows the gas valve to open. If the flame sensor doesn’t detect any fire for a few seconds, it will automatically close the gas valve. A flame sensor could become coated in debris over time, making it unable to sense any flames. Short cycling is a common symptom of a faulty flame sensor.

Blower Motor Issues

A blower motor and fan are what help to move the heated air through your ducts and into the rooms of your home. The blower motor could stop running due to debris buildup on the fan blades or within the ductwork, but if you hear noises such as grinding or scraping, this could be an indicator that the blower motor is broken, and you should call for heater repair.

Cracks in the Heat Exchanger

The heat exchanger coils are what pull hazardous material out of the air before the furnace sends it into your home. The coils could crack if they become corroded or if there is a leak somewhere in your system. This can be very dangerous since the chemicals the heat exchanger usually keeps out of your house could now enter your home if the coils are cracked, which is a serious health hazard. If you suspect this issue, you should absolutely contact a heating repair specialist.

Damaged Limit Switch or Pressure Switch

The limit switch is what shuts your furnace down if it is in danger of overheating. If this switch becomes damaged, it can cause the safety cycle to start unnecessarily, leading to your furnace not turning on at all or only blowing cold air.

The pressure switch is a safety feature that shuts down your system if the flue draft has not been fully expelled, preventing back-drafting. This switch can become worn or damaged, leading to a system shutdown if it falsely detects a safety issue. You may need to call an HVAC contractor for issues with either of these features since you want to be sure the safety features on your furnace work correctly.

Call HVAC System Experts for Heating and Cooling Services

When looking for professional furnace service for furnace repair, installation, or maintenance in Sonoma County, look no further than John Owens Services, Inc., a family-owned and operated company with almost 40 years of experience in HVAC services. We offer heating and air conditioning services for any type of heating and cooling system. Boiler repair, heat pump water heater installations, furnace tune-ups, and more are all performed expertly by the technicians in our HVAC company.

Heating services in Petaluma are our specialty. From faulty thermostats and electrical components to a full furnace replacement, we are the HVAC experts ready to take on any Petaluma heating system task so that your home’s heating/air conditioning runs flawlessly for years to come. Complete customer satisfaction is our number one goal with heating and air conditioning repair, and after having completed hundreds of successful furnace repair service jobs for countless satisfied customers in Sonoma County, we can confidently say our heating and cooling company is able to offer some of the best HVAC services in the area. Call us today for any furnace service you may be interested in, or look at our online free quote calculator to get a free estimate on any furnace installation or furnace maintenance in Petaluma!

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The John Owens Way

Our philosophy is simple, we always want to maintain equipment to give it the longest life possible. Next, we want to focus on repairing when something goes wrong. Then only as the last choice, we replace equipment when needed. That’s the John Owens Way.

San Rafael
(415) 942-6565
Santa Rosa
(707) 452-3464

01

Maintenance

Regular maintenance keeps your home’s systems running well all year long. We’ll help you gain efficiency and save money.

02

Repair

When something breaks down, our team will get to you fast. We’ll find the problem and fix it to get you back to normal.

03

Replacement

When it’s time to replace something in your home, we’ll help you get a top quality product that matches your specific needs.
San Rafael
(415) 942-6565
Santa Rosa
(707) 452-3464