Can I Install a Furnace Myself?

Today we will be showing you how to install a furnace in your home.

First thing first, disconnect power to the furnace. Your breaker box should have a labeled switch or fuse labeled “Furnace” or “HVAC.” Flip the button shut, so there’s no power going to your heat exchanger (the part where fire happens). It could take up to 30 minutes for all of the power in your home to be shut off.

Next, you’re going to want to remove the thermostat wires (if applicable). Sometimes you can slide the cover off, but most of the time, you’ll need a screwdriver. If any screws hold it in place, take them out and put them somewhere. They won’t get lost.

The next step is optional – if you don’t want to install a new thermostat, then you can skip this step too. This part is essential because if your furnace still has gas running through it after being turned off on the breaker box, there could be an explosion risk! You will need a multimeter. If you don’t have one, buy one for $5-10 dollars at the store and use Google to learn how to use it. You can also hire a professional if you aren’t comfortable with this step and don’t feel like trying it yourself.

Touch the probes across each of the two terminals where your thermostat is connected to the furnace system. Make sure that they’re touching right next to each other so that you get an accurate reading! Turn your multimeter onto “Ohm” mode (if there’s no Ohms symbol on your multimeter, hope that it has the same feature).

If no electricity is running through your home, then instead of reading resistance or Ohms across the terminals of your furnace, you should read a flat line at either of those two points.

If there is still electricity going through your furnace from the breaker box, then call someone who knows what they’re doing to fix it and avoid injury or damage to your home!

If no electricity comes up on that screen, then congrats! You’ve now tested the equipment, and everything works as it should.

Now we can move on to installing a new thermostat (if you want one). The process for this varies depending on the brand of thermostat you own/will purchase, so consult with its user’s manual or online guides if you need help. It may be beneficial to hire a professional for this step as well.

Additionally, you should always consult your furnace’s user’s manual if one is available! This guide is to install a brand new heating system and doesn’t consider any other added complications that may exist for older or faulty furnaces. So again, refer to your manufacturer’s guides before attempting this yourself.

All devices installed should be tested by plugging them in using both the wire connections and battery power before attaching the entire assembly back onto the furnace itself. They should work properly with these power supply forms from all angles – i.e., horizontal, vertical, etc.