"How it is installed is the most important!" What should I expect to be done?
#1
12-20-14, 05:13 AM
"How it is installed is the most important!" What should I expect to be done?
Hi all
I keep hearing this: "How it is installed is the most important!" Every single contractor that I spoke with keeps repeating this mantra. Well I have to say that so far none of them made me believe that he is "the one" I have spoken with a few of them, I have contacted many of them via email, but the vast majority looked unprofessional. I tried the big box stores, I tried the well known names in the city where I live, I tried a recommended person through a friend.. No luck.
The only thing that I achieved through all these contacts was to learn that "How it is installed is the most important!" and every contractor would tell me a little bit about the whole thing but each one will miss or neglect important things. Moreover IF I ASK about things that the others mentioned they will minimize the importance of that thing although I now know that those things are actually quite important and any training manual mentions them.
In this situation your best bet is to know what to ask for and what to check that was done properly and by the book when a furnace is installed
How can I find out what would void the furnace's warranty if it is improperly installed?
What is a checklist for a good installation?
What things can be ignored?
I keep hearing this: "How it is installed is the most important!" Every single contractor that I spoke with keeps repeating this mantra. Well I have to say that so far none of them made me believe that he is "the one" I have spoken with a few of them, I have contacted many of them via email, but the vast majority looked unprofessional. I tried the big box stores, I tried the well known names in the city where I live, I tried a recommended person through a friend.. No luck.
The only thing that I achieved through all these contacts was to learn that "How it is installed is the most important!" and every contractor would tell me a little bit about the whole thing but each one will miss or neglect important things. Moreover IF I ASK about things that the others mentioned they will minimize the importance of that thing although I now know that those things are actually quite important and any training manual mentions them.
In this situation your best bet is to know what to ask for and what to check that was done properly and by the book when a furnace is installed
How can I find out what would void the furnace's warranty if it is improperly installed?
What is a checklist for a good installation?
What things can be ignored?
#2
12-20-14, 10:09 AM
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A lot depends upon if this is a new installation or a replacement. Is the equiipment sized properly for the house? Most older equipment is badly oversized. Are the ducts sized properly for the structure & furnace? In either case, new or replacement, exhaust venting is critical. When the furnace is started temperature rise should be measured & compared to the manufacturer's spec.
There are so many things. Maybe some of the other guys will chime in with other suggestions.
There are so many things. Maybe some of the other guys will chime in with other suggestions.
#3
12-20-14, 01:02 PM
Member
As a contractor (not HVAC) that gives presentations all the time, it is important to be able to read your potential client so that you are providing the correct level of explanation without losing them in the process. If you are tech savy and expect an advanced level of detail in your presentation, then by all means, ask for the "in depth" version. These guys could probably talk circles around the common mans knowledge of heating and air. Problem is, that most customers will get the "deer in the headlights" face as soon as you get past SEER, energy rebates, and potential savings. My HVAC guy always goes over and above and impresses me with his understanding that I never hesitate to recommend him to my clients if the opportunity presents itself. I also use him for my personal residence.
If you want a recommended installer, sometimes you can call the manufacturer directly and ask. My guy if the #1 installer of Carrier equipment in this area. He has run out of room on his wall for all the awards and accommodations he has on display.
If you want a recommended installer, sometimes you can call the manufacturer directly and ask. My guy if the #1 installer of Carrier equipment in this area. He has run out of room on his wall for all the awards and accommodations he has on display.
#4
12-21-14, 06:57 AM
So everybody says this: "How it is installed is the most important!"
But not many can comment on this
At the opposite end of the spectrum I read comments like: "they connect the furnace to the ducts, turn the gas on and they leave" or "One of those Goodman furnaces that even a firefighter can install" .
To my surprise, in one of the conversations with the sales agents that dropped by my house, I learned two things:
-a firefighter has a license to operate on a gas pipe -and they often steal work from the HVAC people
-there are some furnaces that are indeed very simple to install and tune up
But not many can comment on this
At the opposite end of the spectrum I read comments like: "they connect the furnace to the ducts, turn the gas on and they leave" or "One of those Goodman furnaces that even a firefighter can install" .
To my surprise, in one of the conversations with the sales agents that dropped by my house, I learned two things:
-a firefighter has a license to operate on a gas pipe -and they often steal work from the HVAC people
-there are some furnaces that are indeed very simple to install and tune up
#5
12-21-14, 07:31 AM
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Firefighter??? Are you sure the sales agent didn't say "Pipefitter"?
Like I said in my first reply, there are MANY things which go into a proper installation it would be nearly impossible to cover them all here. One thing to keep in mind is, the more through the job, the more time is going to be involved & time is money.
Like I said in my first reply, there are MANY things which go into a proper installation it would be nearly impossible to cover them all here. One thing to keep in mind is, the more through the job, the more time is going to be involved & time is money.
#8
12-21-14, 12:49 PM
You listed two of them, the other two don;t count, in my opinion.
The size of the furnace and the size of the duct have nothing to do with how the furnace is installed but rather with the way it is selected, especially for a replacement.
I believe that in most of the cases you do not get to install ducts and furnaces in a brand new house since most of the houses are build with one by the builder so an independent HVAC contractor does not get to say much about that sort of job.
Also I am quite sure many of the contractors make sure that the furnace works within the limits that the manufacturer mentioned, otherwise they can be liable for the warranty which might be void.
At least in my case I plan to give the contractor the Manual J calculation (he will have to review what I give them since he was too lazy to do it). The same goes for Manual D ..well for this one I will do the reverse ...that would be to try to calculate what the blower should be since the duct size is already nailed down...
The size of the furnace and the size of the duct have nothing to do with how the furnace is installed but rather with the way it is selected, especially for a replacement.
I believe that in most of the cases you do not get to install ducts and furnaces in a brand new house since most of the houses are build with one by the builder so an independent HVAC contractor does not get to say much about that sort of job.
Also I am quite sure many of the contractors make sure that the furnace works within the limits that the manufacturer mentioned, otherwise they can be liable for the warranty which might be void.
At least in my case I plan to give the contractor the Manual J calculation (he will have to review what I give them since he was too lazy to do it). The same goes for Manual D ..well for this one I will do the reverse ...that would be to try to calculate what the blower should be since the duct size is already nailed down...
