Question 1

What's the average lifespan of a furnace?

Accepted Answer

Gas furnaces typically last 15–20 years with proper maintenance. If yours is approaching or past that range and needs a significant repair, replacement is usually the smarter investment.

Question 2

What does a furnace replacement cost?

Accepted Answer

Costs vary by system size, efficiency, and brand. Most whole-home replacements range from $3,500 to $8,000 installed. We provide a detailed, no-obligation estimate before any work begins.

Question 3

Do I need to upgrade my ductwork when replacing my furnace?

Accepted Answer

Not always. We inspect your existing ductwork during the assessment. If it's in good condition and sized properly, it can typically be reused.

Question 4

Can an oversized furnace cause short cycling?

Accepted Answer

Yes — an oversized furnace heats your home too quickly, satisfying the thermostat before completing a proper heating cycle, then shuts off and restarts repeatedly. This is a design problem from improper sizing at installation. The fix is either adjusting the blower speed and gas pressure to de-rate the unit, or in severe cases, replacing it with a properly sized furnace based on a Manual J load calculation.

Question 5

What are the signs of a cracked heat exchanger?

Accepted Answer

Warning signs include a chemical or aldehyde smell during operation, visible soot or corrosion inside the furnace, yellow or flickering burner flames (they should be steady blue), frequent headaches or flu-like symptoms in your household, and carbon monoxide detector alerts. A cracked heat exchanger allows combustion gases including carbon monoxide to mix with your home's air — it's the most serious furnace safety issue there is.

Question 6

Can a cracked heat exchanger be repaired?

Accepted Answer

Technically yes, but in practice we almost never recommend it. Heat exchanger replacement is extremely labor-intensive and costs nearly as much as a new furnace. If the furnace is over 10 years old, replacement is the clear choice. A cracked heat exchanger is a carbon monoxide risk, so we treat it as an urgent safety issue and recommend replacing the furnace promptly.

Question 7

How long does a furnace last?

Accepted Answer

A well-maintained gas furnace typically lasts 15–20 years, with some lasting up to 25 years. The heat exchanger is usually the component that determines end of life — once it cracks, the furnace needs replacement. Regular annual maintenance, clean filters, and proper sizing at installation are the biggest factors in reaching the upper end of that lifespan.

Question 8

How do I find out how old my furnace is?

Accepted Answer

The manufacture date is encoded in the serial number on the furnace's rating plate — usually on the inside of the front panel or on the side of the unit. Each manufacturer uses a different code format. You can also search the model number online or call us with the serial number and we'll tell you the exact age. Knowing your furnace's age helps you plan for replacement before an emergency breakdown.

Question 9

What are the signs that I need a new furnace?

Accepted Answer

Key indicators are: the furnace is over 15 years old, repair costs are frequent and increasing, your energy bills are rising despite normal usage, some rooms are too hot or too cold, the furnace makes new or louder noises, or you've needed heat exchanger or blower motor repairs. If you're spending more than 50% of replacement cost on a single repair, it's time to invest in new equipment.

Question 10

Should I repair or replace my furnace?

Accepted Answer

Use the 50% rule: if the repair costs more than 50% of a new furnace and the unit is over 10 years old, replace it. Also consider that a new high-efficiency furnace (95–98% AFUE) will cut your heating bills by 20–30% compared to an older 80% AFUE unit. Factor in reliability too — an aging furnace that's needed multiple repairs will likely need more, often at the worst possible time.

Question 11

Is it worth repairing a 20-year-old furnace?

Accepted Answer

In most cases, no. A 20-year-old furnace is at or past its expected lifespan, likely running at 80% efficiency or less, and replacement parts become harder to find and more expensive. A minor repair under $300 might buy you one more season, but investing $500+ in a unit that old is money better put toward a new, efficient system with a full warranty.

Question 12

What is AFUE and why does it matter?

Accepted Answer

AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) measures how efficiently a furnace converts fuel to heat. A 96% AFUE furnace turns 96 cents of every dollar of gas into heat, with only 4 cents lost up the flue. Older furnaces run at 78–82% AFUE, while modern high-efficiency units hit 95–98%. In Asheville's cold winters, upgrading from an 80% to a 96% AFUE furnace can save $300–$500 per year on gas bills.

Question 13

Is a high-efficiency furnace worth the extra cost?

Accepted Answer

In Western North Carolina, absolutely. Our heating season runs roughly October through April, so you're running the furnace for 6+ months a year. The savings from a 96% AFUE unit over an 80% unit add up to $3,000–$5,000 over the furnace's lifetime. High-efficiency models also qualify for utility rebates and federal tax credits, which offset the higher upfront investment.

Question 14

What size furnace do I need for my home?

Accepted Answer

Furnace size depends on your home's square footage, insulation levels, window area, ceiling height, and local climate — not just square footage alone. In Asheville's climate zone 4A, most homes need 35–50 BTUs per square foot. A 2,000 sq ft home typically needs a 70,000–100,000 BTU furnace. We perform a Manual J load calculation for every installation to determine the exact right size — oversizing causes short cycling and comfort problems, undersizing means the house never gets warm enough.

Question 15

What happens if my furnace is too big for my house?

Accepted Answer

An oversized furnace heats the space too quickly, causing it to short-cycle — turning on and off frequently without completing full heating cycles. This creates uneven temperatures, excess humidity, higher energy bills, and accelerated wear on components. It's one of the most common installation mistakes in the industry, which is why we insist on a Manual J calculation before recommending any equipment.

Question 16

How much does a new furnace cost in Asheville?

Accepted Answer

A new gas furnace installed in Asheville typically costs $3,500–$7,500 depending on efficiency, capacity, and brand. A basic 80% AFUE unit starts around $3,500 installed, while a top-tier 96–98% AFUE variable-speed furnace with a premium brand runs $5,500–$7,500. These prices include the furnace, installation labor, thermostat, permits, and our workmanship warranty. Financing options are available.

Question 17

Does Quality Mechanical offer financing for furnace installation?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we offer flexible financing options for furnace installations and replacements so you don't have to go without heat or drain your savings. We work with lending partners to provide low monthly payments, and many of our plans offer promotional periods with reduced or deferred interest. Ask about current financing offers when you schedule your free installation estimate.

Question 18

What furnace brands does Quality Mechanical install?

Accepted Answer

We install and service all major furnace brands including Goodman, Trane, Carrier, Lennox, Rheem, American Standard, Amana, and York. We're particularly experienced with Goodman systems, which offer excellent reliability at a competitive price point. Regardless of brand, proper sizing and installation quality matter more than the name on the unit — a perfectly installed mid-range furnace outperforms a poorly installed premium one every time.

Question 19

Are Goodman furnaces any good?

Accepted Answer

Goodman furnaces are solid, dependable units that consistently rank well for value and reliability. They're manufactured by Daikin, the world's largest HVAC manufacturer, and come with strong warranties — including a lifetime heat exchanger warranty on many models. We've installed hundreds of Goodman furnaces in Asheville homes, and our callback rate on them is very low. For homeowners who want quality without paying premium-brand prices, Goodman is our top recommendation.

Question 20

What warranty comes with a new Goodman furnace?

Accepted Answer

Goodman offers one of the best warranties in the industry: a limited lifetime heat exchanger warranty and a 10-year parts warranty when registered within 60 days of installation. The parts warranty covers the gas valve, ignitor, control board, blower motor, and all other functional components. On top of that, we provide our own workmanship warranty covering the installation itself.

Question 21

What is the difference between a gas and electric furnace?

Accepted Answer

A gas furnace burns natural gas or propane through burners and a heat exchanger to warm air, while an electric furnace uses electric resistance heating elements — essentially large coils that heat up when electricity passes through them. Gas furnaces are significantly cheaper to operate in Asheville because natural gas costs roughly one-third what electricity does per BTU. Electric furnaces cost less to install but 2–3 times more to run monthly.

Question 22

Should I switch from an electric furnace to a gas furnace?

Accepted Answer

If natural gas is available at your home, switching from electric resistance heating to a gas furnace can cut your winter heating bills by 50–60%. The installation involves running a gas line (if not already present), installing the furnace, and modifying the venting. The investment typically pays for itself within 3–5 years through energy savings. If gas isn't available, a heat pump is the most efficient electric alternative.

Question 23

Do I need new ductwork with a new furnace?

Accepted Answer

Not always, but it should be evaluated. If your existing ductwork is properly sized, sealed, and in good condition, it can be reused. However, if the ducts are undersized for the new furnace's airflow requirements, severely deteriorated, or full of leaks, installing a high-efficiency furnace on bad ductwork is like putting a sports car engine in a car with flat tires. We inspect ductwork during every installation estimate.

Question 24

How much can I save by upgrading to a high-efficiency furnace?

Accepted Answer

Upgrading from an 80% AFUE furnace to a 96% AFUE unit saves roughly 20% on your gas heating bill. For an Asheville home spending $1,500–$2,000 per winter on gas heat, that's $300–$400 per year in savings. Over a 20-year furnace lifespan, that adds up to $6,000–$8,000 — well more than the cost difference between a standard and high-efficiency unit.

Question 25

Do new furnaces qualify for tax credits or rebates?

Accepted Answer

Yes — high-efficiency gas furnaces with AFUE ratings of 97% or higher may qualify for federal energy tax credits. Additionally, local utilities in Western NC occasionally offer rebates for high-efficiency equipment upgrades. We stay current on available incentives and help our customers take advantage of every rebate and credit they qualify for. Ask us about current offers when you get your installation estimate.

Question 26

How long does it take to install a new furnace?

Accepted Answer

A standard furnace replacement — swapping the old unit for a new one using existing ductwork and gas lines — takes 4–8 hours and is completed in a single day. If we need to run new gas lines, modify ductwork, add a new flue, or convert from electric to gas, it may take a full day or extend into a second day. We'll give you a clear timeline before work begins.

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