There’s a chill in the air, and it’s inside your home! Can’t believe you need a furnace! Buying a new furnace is something that you may do only once or twice in your lifetime, and, based on over fifty-eight years of selling, servicing, and installation experience, Flame heating, cooling and electrical has developed a 7-step checklist that makes the purchase of your new furnace relatively stress free and easy. Please remember that furnaces are NOT a commodity, but sophisticated pieces of equipment, with many different attributes. Example: 2 stage gas valves, variable speed blower motors and 80% vs. 90% efficiency.
- Choose a qualified contractor. Ask your Chamber of Commerce, friends, or family, for a referral. Look for a contractor that has been in business and has trained and N.A.T.E certified technicians to install different types and brands of equipment.
- Call your City Hall and speak with your building inspector. Furnace installations require heating and electrical permits to be filed for the building inspector. Upon completion make inspections. This is for your protection. Check to see if there have been any problems with the contractor.
- Set up an appointment with the contractor. Make sure the contractor comes to your home at your convenience, and you have the name of the person visiting. Check their Certificates of Insurance and State and City licenses. Find out if they have a showroom and visit it. Ask for references.
- Get a written estimate. Talk to the contractor about your home, any special comfort needs, how long you plan to stay in the home. This information will help the contractor propose the best furnace and associated equipment solutions for you. Have the contractor list exactly what is covered by the estimate-new equipment installed, old equipment removed, warranties and time frame. The contractor should also make sure the furnace is the proper size for heating your home in all temperatures.
- Explore payment options. Your contractor should offer options-cash, check, Visa and MasterCard, or 100% financing with terms. Often contractors ask for a down payment to schedule the job and secure the equipment.
- Schedule installation. Make sure it is convenient for you, confirm the time frame, and ask for the names of the installation technicians. Check identification when the technicians arrive. When they are finished, good technicians should explain to you how the system works. They should also provide literature, maintenance instructions, and phone numbers on your furnace.
- Consider a maintenance plan. Annual maintenance of your furnace saves energy and often prolongs the life of your equipment. Good contractors offer these plans and the savings in your utility bill often covers the cost of the plan.
Just follow this checklist and your new furnace purchase should be easy. Still have questions? Want more information? Feel free to call the Furnace Doctor at Flame Heating, Cooling and Electrical toll free at 1-888-234-2340, e-mail: Gmarowske@flamefurnace.com, or visit our website @ www.flamefurnace.com.
Better yet, visit our showroom, join us for a cup of tea, and meet the people who will drive that chill from your home!
