Can I Install a New Furnace and Still Use My Pre-Existing Ducts?
The ductwork in your home is probably extensive, running through walls, under floors, and through crawlspaces. If you need to replace your current furnace because it has broken down, or perhaps has lost too much efficiency, you won’t want to go through the extra work of replacing your current ductwork system to accommodate the new furnace. People often wonder if new ductwork is a requirement for a furnace installation.
The answer is: “Usually not.” We’ll look into how this works. But for a solid answer, you’ll need to talk to an HVAC technician who can look over your house and your current furnace. Call Goettl Air Conditioning & Plumbing today and learn about what you’ll need for a new furnace installation.
You won’t need to replace your ductwork if…
You are installing a furnace similar to your current one. Your new furnace will likely have a higher efficiency rating than your old one (advances in technology have made furnaces more energy efficient in general) and include more features, but it can use the same ducts without any complications. Your installers may need to make some adjustments at the connectors, but nothing more extensive than this.
Even for most high-efficiency furnaces, you won’t need to replace any of the ductwork. Have the installers perform duct testing along the ventilation system to spot leaks or other places where the ducts might lose heat. This will give the installers an idea of how well the ductwork will handle a high-efficiency furnace. If you have taken good care of the ductwork over the years, you can expect few problems.
You may need ductwork replacement if…
The ductwork is extremely old and/or in poor shape. If you’ve experienced trouble with leaking ductwork before and have needed numerous sealing and repair jobs done, then you should consider at least having partial ductwork replacement. HVAC installers can perform the same duct testing to find just how leaky the ducts in your home have become. Based on this, they can provide you with an estimate of how much work needs to be done to make sure that your new furnace can live up to its efficiency rating.
Call duct and furnace professionals
At Goettl Good Guys Air Conditioning, we not only provide excellent furnace installation and other heating service options but we are also air quality and energy efficiency specialists. We can combine installing your new furnace with duct testing and repairs so that you’ll know that you will receive the finest possible performance from your new heating system. If you have any concerns about your ductwork and a new furnace, call us today.
