Whether you are looking to install a new furnace or need to replace an old oil furnace, we have a few tips for you to ensure that you are well informed to make the right choice. Many furnaces that don’t need replacing are replaced prematurely because of a contractor who wasn’t properly trained to fix it. Domino’s Furnace Service will always be upfront and honest with you, as we’ve been in the past 30 years. Make sure that when you do replace the furnace, it is beneficial and cost effective. The three main reasons to get your furnace replaced would be that:
- It has a cracked heat exchanger,
- It is old and inefficient or
- It’s too expensive to repair.
Ask to see exactly what the damage is, if you hire someone to take a look at it. One tip when shopping for an oil furnace is to not worry too much about what brand it is, as all furnaces, no matter what the brand should last 12-18 years, or much longer, with the proper maintenance. Many manufacturers of furnaces tend to buy from the same factory and put their own name on it. The main part of the satisfaction you will receive out of your new furnace is how well it is installed. It is crucial for a new furnace to be installed properly.
Another tip is to calculate whether you will actually save money on your fuel bills if you buy a new furnace. A new furnace is not automatically going to pay itself off. Your contractor needs to be careful about checking to see that the ductwork is clean and unclogged and needs to make the correct size measurements on the sheet metal fittings to connect to the new furnace. If the sheet metal fittings are not fitted correctly, air will leak all around the furnace or the air can be restricted, causing premature failure of your expensive new furnace. Having a programmable thermostat installed is another way to save money on your fuel bills, as well as not buying an oversized furnace for your space.
So how much will a new furnace cost?
There are many cost factors involved in the final price you will pay, including the high efficiency furnace itself, sheet metal fittings, fuel piping, the flue, fire safety switch, installer’s labor, and sales commission. You can expect to pay around $4300 for a premium new properly installed furnace. You may want to consider other products to improve the air that you breathe in your home, like a humidification system or a good air filtration system. These accessories or indoor air quality products (IAQ) cost about $500 to $1500. Be aware that some contractors will underprice a job to beat their competitors, but they will put themselves out of business in a few years due to the unsustainable labor fee they have offered and accepted.
Things to Consider When Buying a New Oil Furnace
Consider the warranties on your new furnace. The two types of warranties are the manufacturer’s warranty and the furnace contractor’s warranty. The manufactures warranty covers the equipment and all of the parts in it, while the furnace contractor’s warranty covers the labor costs involved in making the repairs to the equipment and any other work that was done, like sheet metal work and electrical wiring. Additionally, IAQ products have a separate warranty to the furnace.
There is a lot to think about when buying a new oil furnace, so if you feel overwhelmed, a Domino’s Furnace Service expert can help to simplify the process for you and can offer you more useful tips on buying a new furnace.
