September and early October are the best months to think about a furnace. The house doesn’t need heat yet, the schedule is more open, and you have time to compare options instead of taking whatever is on the truck during a January breakdown. If your furnace is 15 to 20 years old, has needed several repairs, or just worries you, this is the window for Randallstown furnace installation on your terms.
A furnace installation is the removal of an old furnace and the setup of a new one, including sizing, gas and electrical connections, venting, ductwork connections, permits and a full startup test. Bruce Solomon Plumbing, Heating & Air crews have installed furnaces in Randallstown, MD and around Baltimore County since the Solomon family opened in 1984, and our install crews are made up of long-tenured HVAC pros.
Planned Replacement vs. an Emergency Swap
Most furnace replacements happen in a hurry. The old unit fails on a cold night, a cracked heat exchanger turns up, and the family needs heat by tomorrow. We can handle that, and we’ll move quickly. But a rushed decision limits your options.
Planning ahead gives you time to:
- Decide between standard and high-efficiency models without pressure
- Sort out venting changes before they become a surprise
- Line up the Baltimore County permit and inspection on a normal timeline
- Coordinate the furnace with your air conditioner or a heat pump
- Ask about payment plans for approved buyers if spreading out the project helps
If your current furnace is still running but needs attention, a visit for furnace repair in Randallstown may buy you another season or two while you plan. We’ll tell you honestly whether it’s worth fixing. We don’t push replacement when a repair makes more sense.
Efficiency Choices: 80% vs. 90%+ AFUE
AFUE is the percentage of fuel a furnace turns into usable heat. It’s the main efficiency number you’ll see on a gas furnace.
80% AFUE furnaces
These vent hot exhaust up a metal flue, usually into an existing chimney. They’re simpler to install in houses already set up that way, and they can make sense where venting changes would be difficult.
90%+ AFUE condensing furnaces
A condensing furnace pulls extra heat out of the exhaust with a second heat exchanger. The exhaust comes out cool enough to vent through PVC pipe, usually out a side wall or through the roof, and the unit produces condensate water that needs a drain. In a Maryland winter, higher efficiency can mean real savings on gas over the life of the furnace.
Single-stage, two-stage and modulating burners
Beyond AFUE, the burner type affects comfort. Single-stage runs at full blast. Two-stage runs lower most of the time and steps up on cold days. Modulating models adjust in small increments for the most even temperatures. We’ll explain which fits the way your family uses the house.
Venting and the Old Chimney Question
This is where many Randallstown homes need extra thought, and where a less experienced installer can cause problems.
Lots of 1970s and 80s colonials and split-levels were built with a masonry chimney that vents both the furnace and a gas water heater. When you switch to a condensing furnace with PVC venting, the water heater is left alone in a chimney that was sized for two appliances. That “orphaned” water heater may not draft properly, which can lead to condensation damage in the chimney or exhaust spilling back into the basement.
The fix depends on the house. Options include:
- Installing a properly sized chimney liner for the water heater
- Replacing the water heater with a power-vent or direct-vent model
- Switching to a different water heater type altogether
Since plumbing is half of what we do, we can handle the water heater side of the project ourselves instead of sending you to someone else.
Sizing: Why Bigger Isn’t Better
The old furnace’s size is a starting point, not the answer. Many Randallstown homes have had new windows, added insulation, finished basements or additions since the original furnace went in. An oversized furnace short cycles, wears out faster and leaves rooms uneven. An undersized one runs constantly on the coldest days.
We look at the square footage, insulation, windows, layout and how the house actually heats today. We also inspect the ductwork, because a new furnace connected to leaky or undersized ducts won’t deliver what it should. If we find problems, sealing and repairing the ducts at the same time is often the smartest move.
Baltimore County Permits for a 21133 Furnace Replacement
Furnace replacement in Baltimore County generally requires a mechanical permit and a final inspection, and gas work has its own requirements. We take care of the permit paperwork and schedule the inspection, so you’re not left sorting it out. A permitted, inspected installation protects you when you sell the house and confirms the work meets code.
Pairing Your Furnace With Cooling or a Heat Pump
The furnace blower moves air for your central AC too, and the indoor coil sits right on top of the furnace. Replacing the furnace is a natural time to check whether the air conditioner is due as well, since matched equipment works better together.
Another route is dual fuel: a gas furnace paired with an efficient heat pump that handles most of the heating and all of the cooling, with the furnace taking over in hard cold. We carry LG and Mitsubishi heat pump equipment, and LG’s premium systems are a strong match for this kind of setup. For the bigger picture, see how we repair and service every kind of heating system in Randallstown.
Installation Day at Your Randallstown Home
Most furnace installations take one day. Here’s how it usually goes:
- Our crew arrives on time, covers their shoes and protects the path your furnace will travel.
- The old furnace is disconnected and removed.
- The new furnace is set, leveled and connected to gas, power, ductwork and venting.
- On condensing models, we run the PVC vent and set up the condensate drain.
- We start the system, check gas pressure and combustion, test the safety controls and confirm airflow.
- The old unit leaves on our truck, the basement gets swept, and you get a quick lesson on the new thermostat and where the filter slides in.
You’ll find what other homeowners say about our installs on our reviews page.
Furnace Replacement Questions, Answered
When is a furnace worth replacing instead of fixing?
The strongest signs are age over 15 to 20 years, repeated repairs, a cracked heat exchanger, or rooms that are harder to heat every year. A technician can inspect it and tell you honestly whether repair or replacement makes more sense.
Do I need a permit to replace a furnace in Baltimore County?
Yes, furnace replacement in Baltimore County generally requires a permit and inspection. We handle the paperwork and schedule the inspection as part of the job.
What happens to my water heater if I get a high-efficiency furnace?
If your water heater shares a chimney with the old furnace, it may need a chimney liner or a different venting setup once the furnace switches to PVC. We check this during the in-home visit and can handle the water heater work ourselves.
How long does a new furnace installation take?
A typical furnace swap is done between morning and late afternoon. Projects that include new venting, a water heater change or ductwork repairs can take a little longer.
Plan Your New Furnace With Our Team
The best furnace decisions get made before the first freeze, not during it. Dial (410) 833-2188, or set up a visit through our contact page, and a technician will look over your current system, answer your questions and give you a clear recommendation.
Caring Technicians
Our technicians know how to treat your home with respect. We come prepared with booties and drop cloths to protect your home.
Always On Time
Your time is very important to us. We strive to show up at your home when we say we will fully equipped for the job.
We Focus On You
You're our first priority! We will not leave you to service a new or bigger job. We focus on outstanding customer service!
Locally Owned
We don't just work here, we live here, too! We know all of the homes in the areas we serve and are familiar with your home's model.