How Long Does It Take to Install a Furnace?

No two installation experiences are alike when it comes to a heating system. Each service varies with the building, the service provider, and the type of system, but you might be wondering, “How long does it take to install a furnace?”

A1 Mechanical Heating & Cooling’s crew specializes in everything HVAC in Dayton, Ohio. Below, we’ve outlined the variables that might affect your service timeline to give you a decent idea of what to expect from your furnace installation experience. 

What Factors Can Influence the Installation Timeline?

Commercial and home heating systems are modern marvels but also incredibly complicated. A property owner can’t just purchase one from a nearby store and install it – they’ll need a qualified HVAC technician to manage the task. 

Your furnace technician might provide you with an installation timeline estimate based on the following factors:

Pre-Installation Assessment

Professional technicians visit you to discuss the installation plan and record the following bits of information:

• Building square footage: The building size and layout determine the furnace system size and complexity. 
• Your desired system type: The system’s efficiency, complexity, and overall design can add time to the furnace installation project. 
• Fuel type: If you switch to a different fuel type, you might need new fittings and connections.
• Installation location: A location that technicians struggle to access can mean longer installation services. 
• Additional services: Sometimes, property owners need or want ductwork upgrades or new air quality solutions. This takes extra effort and time.

The pre-installation assessment can take up to two hours, but an hour is typical.

Furnace Size

The system size greatly impacts how long an installation service takes. Most residential HVAC replacements take less than a week, whereas commercial installations often last a few weeks. A smaller furnace might take only a few hours to install. 

Your technician chooses furnace size based on your building’s square footage and local climate to prevent heating problems down the road. 

Furnace Location

Most technicians put the new equipment where the old system once stood. Some common places with enough space for HVAC equipment would include:

• Rooftops: Big buildings that need powerful systems will often leverage the roof, a location that can make for a longer installation. 
• Building sides and backs: Small or single-story buildings, particularly residential houses, have the equipment out of immediate view. Ground-level access is easier. 
• Basements and crawlspaces: Indoor air handlers often go in storage areas, like basements and crawlspaces. While these places aren’t particularly difficult to reach, climbing stairs with heavy equipment can take more effort. 
• Attics: A technician might work harder to reach an attic, especially one with a ladder instead of a staircase. 

So, how long does it take to install a furnace? Old furnace removal is often half the battle and can take four to eight hours. Remember, your technician must maneuver these locations to dismantle and carry away each part.

System Complexity

A highly complicated system definitely takes more time to put together. How long does it take to install a furnace with lots of parts or units? Consider the following questions:

• How many units does the building need?
• Where will each unit go?
• Will you need new fuel or electrical work to accommodate them?
• Do you need multiple types of HVAC systems?

While a complex system with multiple units might require extra project time, it can also protect your comfort and bank account long term. In other words, adding a traditional outdoor HVAC unit and a ductless mini-split to a sprawling ranch home might be worth the wait. 

Additional Installations or Repairs

We briefly touched on additional services for enhanced system performance. Let’s dive a bit deeper into those furnace installation extras below:

• Ductwork modifications: Your technician may need to redirect or add to your existing ductwork. If you previously relied on ductless systems, you might need new ducts altogether. Dirty, unkempt ducts need a thorough cleaning. 
• Media air cleaners: How long does it take to install a furnace? Adding some air quality solutions might prolong the service. Media cleaners connect to the unit and capture contaminants that the HVAC system might miss. 
• Purifier systems: These devices work in individual rooms to kill microbes instead of collecting tiny, solid particles. 
• Humidifiers: A whole-home humidifier attaches to the HVAC system to supply moisture when the furnace cycles. 

Each modification can significantly improve your comfort and your furnace’s efficiency. However, the installation will take longer, especially for HVAC-connected systems. 

How Long Does It Take to Install a Furnace?

Let’s estimate how long your technician needs to complete a full furnace installation. Think through the following:

• It takes one to two weeks to install most commercial furnaces. 
• Industrial furnaces are much bigger, and installation may last two weeks to a month. 
• Many customers only wait one or two days for their small residential furnaces.
• A technician may need two to three days to replace large residential furnaces. 
• Ductwork installations or improvements can take up to four days to complete. 
• Add-on devices have a four to five-hour installation time. 

The final inspection and testing phase may take a couple of extra hours. Overall, you’re looking at anywhere from two days to a whole month, depending on your building and accessories. 

How To Prepare for Your Installation

Want to speed up the installation process? The following tasks can make things go faster:

1. Clear the indoor and outdoor equipment areas.
2. Keep hallways, stairwells, and other tight spaces free of obstacles.
3. Cut the power and fuel supply to the area beforehand if you can do so safely.
4. Contain small children and pets in a safe area where they won’t be underfoot.
5. Close commercial spaces off to customers. 

Ask your HVAC company if you can do anything else to simplify the process. The key is to create a space where the crew can work quickly and safely. 

Speak With A1 Mechanical Heating & Cooling About Your Furnace Installation

How long does it take to install a furnace? Call A1 Mechanical Heating & Cooling at 502-708-2247 to find out. Get excited about your installation service while you await your consultation by reading about the benefits of a new furnace.