What Air Handlers Checks That Other Companies Skip
Hampton Roads homes present two installation challenges that a company without local experience misses regularly.
First: combustion air supply. Chesapeake and Virginia Beach homes built or retrofitted in the last fifteen years are tighter than the older construction most furnace manufacturers write their installation instructions around.
A furnace in a well-sealed utility closet without an adequate combustion air source will fail intermittently in ways that are very difficult to diagnose later. We check combustion air supply at every furnace installation and note it in our documentation.
Second: heat exchanger clearances and flue configuration. The combination of Hampton Roads humidity and the salt air present in coastal-adjacent properties accelerates flue pipe corrosion faster than inland Virginia markets.
We spec the right flue material and verify clearances before the unit goes in, not after.
Beyond those local factors, we follow the Carrier Factory Authorized installation standard: load calculation before equipment selection, gas pressure verified at the manifold, all electrical to code, condensate drain on high-efficiency units correctly routed, and a combustion analysis run at the end of the installation.
5 Reasons Chesapeake Homeowners Choose a New Furnace
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Your system is past fifteen years old in Hampton Roads conditions. Hampton Roads humidity and the temperature cycling between mild winters and humid summers puts cumulative stress on heat exchangers, flue connections, and electrical components. A fifteen-year-old furnace in this climate has worked harder than the same system would have in a drier inland market.
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You have had the same problem repaired more than once. A furnace that keeps failing the same component, igniter, pressure switch, flame sensor is telling you the rest of the system is catching up. Repeated repairs on an aging system often cost more over two to three years than a replacement would.
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Your heating bills have been climbing without a change in usage. Gradual efficiency loss is invisible until the bill arrives. An older furnace running below its original AFUE rating may be costing significantly more to operate than a high-efficiency replacement would.
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Your home heats unevenly or the system runs constantly. A furnace that runs all day without reaching the set temperature or that heats some rooms and leaves others cold is either undersized, losing efficiency, or working against a duct system that needs attention. A new properly sized installation with a duct assessment corrects both.
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You want a system protected by a manufacturer-backed warranty. As a Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer, Air Handlers installs furnaces with manufacturer-backed warranty coverage tied to the authorized dealer who installs it, not every company can offer the same protection.
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Do I Need A New Furnace?
Sometimes a repair is not sufficient to fix your furnace. Sometimes a new furnace is the most cost-effective and energy-efficient way to go. We will always be honest with you about a possible furnace replacement. We value our time and your money, we don’t want to perform repairs or service on an appliance that is in need of replacement.
If you do need a furnace replacement, we know how overwhelming it can be.
Here are some of the frequently asked questions about furnaces that we get from some of our Chesapeake, VA residents:
What Are The Different Types Of Furnaces?
Single Stage: A single-stage furnace has only one stage of operation. It can either be turned on or turned off.
Two Stage: A two-stage furnace has two settings––full and half speed. This is a more efficient way to heat and provides for better comfort, because it can move the air at a slower pace.
Variable Stage or Modulating: A variable-stage or modulating furnace modulates the speed and heat output based on the temperature outside and the desired comfort level. This furnace only works as much as you need it, making this type the most energy-efficient type of furnace.
What Is AFUE?
AFUE, or Annualized Fuel Utilization Efficiency, is a measure of furnace-heating efficiency. The higher the AFUE, the more efficient the furnace.
What Size Furnace Do I Need?
We can calculate the correct size furnace for your home. The number of BTUs, or British Thermal Units, needed to heat your home is dependent on a number of variables. Contrary to what you might think, a bigger furnace may not necessarily mean more heating power for your home. Call us at Air Handlers Heating & Cooling, and we can set up an appointment to calculate the furnace size you might need.
Will I Save Money On My Heating Bills By Purchasing A New Furnace?
It is very likely that you will save money on your heating bills after you install a new furnace. However, the exact amount is dependent on what type of current system you have and the new system you are purchasing. Call us at Air Handlers Heating & Cooling and we can set up an appointment to help you determine how much you can save.