#1 Impact of Other Energy Upgrades

Your home's heating demand is heavily influenced by other energy-related components in the building. Renovation projects that include building enclosure, ventilation, or control system improvements will have an impact on the sizing of your new furnace. Be prepared to discuss any past or future changes to your home with the furnace contractor when he/she arrives.

#2 Key Furnace Installation Criteria

Always ask the furnace contractor to include the following items when he/she provides you
with a quotation:

• Heat load calculation to size the new furnace
• Double piped venting with combustion air taken from outside
• A condensate pipe connected to a drain or pump
• A high quality filter with a tight fitting cabinet door for easy filter replacement
• Furnace cabinet leveled to ensure condensate drainage
• Evaluation of orphaned domestic hot water tank venting

Many of the above items can be reviewed visually allowing you to easily verify the quality of your furnace installation.

#3 Benefits of a Matching Thermostat and Wiring

Did you know that many new gas furnaces have features that can only be unlocked if a
matching thermostat and wiring are selected? Modern staged furnaces match their heating
output to building heating demand more precisely than single-stage appliances. This can
improve occupant comfort and increase energy savings. To fully achieve these benefits, the
new thermostat must be able to communicate different heating levels to the staged furnace
and the wiring must also be matched.

#4 Maintaining Your New Furnace

Regular maintenance schedules are critical for reliable furnace operation. Frequent
maintenance can increase the service life of your equipment and will save you money on
your utility bills. Always ensure that key furnace components such as the filter are replaced
correctly and in a timely manner. Set up a maintenance contract with your HVAC contractor
to guarantee that equipment servicing is completed properly and on a regular basis.