Most people only have their furnaces replaced a couple of times in their lives. So, it's not unusual to have some questions and quandaries when you find you need a new furnace. Browsing various ads and pamphlets from furnace companies may leave you with more questions than answers! It's good to understand what's happening so you can make smart choices during your furnace replacement. So, take a look at some common questions that people in your shoes often have.

Does your new furnace need to use the same fuel as the old one?

Maybe you currently have a natural gas furnace, but you're looking at some propane models that look nice. Or perhaps you have an electric furnace, but you're wondering if a gas one will be better. In most cases, there is no reason to switch furnace fuels unless you're having an issue with the fuel your current furnace uses. Switching may involve having a new fuel tank added to your house or having gas lines run, which quickly adds to the cost of your furnace replacement. 

The cheapest option is almost always to stick with your current fuel, with one exception. If you still have an oil-burning furnace, it may be worth switching to natural gas or propane because oil is very expensive and not very clean-burning.

What's a dual-stage furnace?

Most new furnaces these days are dual-stage models, so you'll see this terminology a lot. Dual-stage furnaces basically have a high setting and a low setting. They will run on the low setting when temperatures are mild and kick into the high setting when it's really cold out. This allows furnaces to run more efficiently and keep your home at a more even temperature. You almost always want a dual-stage furnace.

How long does furnace replacement take?

Most HVAC contractors can remove and replace a furnace in a single day. They may only need another day of work if you plan on making changes to the ductwork. They'll let you know if this needs to be done. If your HVAC contractor does not mention changes to your ducts and does not tell you that yours is a multi-day project, you can be pretty confident you'll have a new, functional furnace by the end of the day.

Armed with this new knowledge, you should now be ready to have your furnace replaced. Talk to a local HVAC contractor such as Carolina Air Care if you'd like to learn more.