Choosing to replace your current heater/furnace with a gas heater is quite the project. However, if you are undaunted by time commitments and cost, you may find that trading a less efficient heating appliance for a more efficient one is an excellent decision. To get an understanding of time commitments and a timeline for the gas heater installation from start to finish, the following is provided.

​Removal of Your Old Heater

​The first thing that has to happen is a complete shutdown and removal of the old heater. This may take a couple of hours, depending on what kind of heating appliance/furnace you currently have and the means or method of removal. For example, an electric furnace has to be completely disconnected from all wiring and electrical sources prior to removing it from its current location. If you have a boiler, all parts of the boiler have to be cooled off, and water supply valves have to be turned off so that the pipes leading to the boiler do not leak all over the floor while the boiler is being removed. 

Installing a Gas Line or Connecting to a Pre-Existing Gas Line

If you do not currently have a gas line in your home for any other appliance, one will have to be installed. This may take a day or two if you live in the city because the gas provider has to come out, excavate part of your property to install the gas line, and then cover the pipeline up again. If you already have an existing gas line, then your HVAC contractor will need to install pipe fixtures that connect to the gas line and run to the area where the new gas heater is installed. When there is a readily available gas line, it takes a few hours to a day to install the pipes to connect to the new furnace. The main valve for gas also has to be shut off and closed while the furnace and pipes are installed.

​Installing the Actual Furnace/Heater

Finally, the actual heater/furnace is installed and the gas line pipes are connected. This takes a few more hours as the technician/contractor wants to be certain that there are zero gas leaks from the gas line outside to the furnace/heater inside. When everything is properly welded in place and is completely sealed, the furnace/heater is turned on for the first time and checked completely. Then, the job is done. At a minimum, you are looking at a single day's work. At a maximum, you are looking at three days to a week, depending on any delays with the installation of a gas line where there was none before.

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