Furnace Installation & Replacement in Portland, OR

Facing the decision of whether or not to replace your electric, gas or oil furnace can be hard on most homeowners. They usually fall into a trap by thinking this last repair will keep it running for years. Unfortunately, for many homeowners that is not the case.

Luckily, there are several ways you can tell if it’s time to replace and install a new furnace, including looking for warning signs like the following:

• Your furnace is at least three quarters through its lifespan, and the cost of repairs is more than half the cost of a replacement.
• You have small repairs that occur more and more frequently.
• You are no longer comfortable due to uneven heating, poor air quality, and dusty living spaces.
• Your energy costs have risen either dramatically over a short period of time, or slowly over a longer period of time due to your system.
• Your furnace is 15 years or older.
• Your furnace makes strange noises.

While you should always leave replacements to the heating professionals, at the very least, you should be able to detect when there’s an issue. The sooner you call a furnace service company, the less chance there is you’ll be faced with a major repair emergency.

If the criteria above have made you decide it’s time for a new furnace to be installed, you will need to make the decision on which model and manufacturer you would like to go with. There are a few things to keep in mind when making this decision.

• Size – The first thing to consider is the size of the space you are going to be heating. Whether you are heating the whole house or just an addition, you will need to choose a furnace that has the strength and capability to warm the entire space without putting stress on the system.
• Budget – Your next thought should be about your budget. How much can you realistically spend on the unit? You will also want to think about installation costs and long term costs such as how much energy it costs to run the unit. Also, what kind of budget will you need for repairs, maintenance, and tune-ups?
• Energy efficiency – Always opt for a high-efficiency furnace with a high Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating to save on heating and cooling costs.
• Eco-friendly – Many homeowners opt to upgrade their electric or oil furnace to a more eco-friendly option when the time comes for a replacement. Switching from oil to natural gas furnaces can reduce your carbon emissions. This will also be a budget issue because switching your fuel source can be expensive (but usually worth it in the long run).
• Smart Features – There are several new features that should be taken into consideration. Smart features such as being able to control your thermostat from your phone is a popular one.
• Warranties – A warranty is another factor you want to consider. Different manufacturers offer different warranties. It’s important to read these carefully as some have clauses that specify annual maintenance needs to be performed by the manufacturer’s team, or the warranty is void.

Choosing a new furnace can be a challenge and should not be done without the right know-how. At Sunset Heating & Cooling, we’ve been working with homeowners in the Portland, OR area since 1922. In that time we’ve learned which models work best and can maximize your efforts for long-term solutions.

Is your furnace not heating? You might need your furnace filter replaced! Call us today for quality service!

As mentioned above, you will need to consider installation costs as part of your furnace installation budget. An important part of that is deciding on a trusted HVAC specialist to perform the installation. A poorly installed furnace can have serious consequences, ranging from having the unit fail completely, to fires or carbon monoxide poisoning. At Sunset Heating & Cooling, we offer the very best services backed by generations of experience.

We work to ensure your 100% satisfaction and always go above and beyond to keep you and your family safe, warm, and comfortable.