Furnace Replacement in Franklin, KY

Need Immediate Furnace Replacement?

Facing an unexpected cold due to a broken furnace in Franklin can be more than inconvenient; when your comfort is compromised, immediate solutions matter. If your heating system has failed or is blowing cold air, contact us immediately to schedule an assessment or discuss financing options. Carter Heating and Cooling understands that a functional heating system is a necessity, not a luxury, especially when temperatures drop in Southern Kentucky.

We focus on restoring safety and warmth to your home efficiently. We provide:

• Same-day furnace installation options to restore warmth right away.
• Access to a range of top-rated, energy-efficient furnaces suitable for the local climate.
• Seamless and professional installation performed by certified technicians.

We handle all necessary permits and offer comprehensive warranties and flexible financing options to ensure your home remains comfortable without administrative headaches.

Our Furnace Replacement Services: What Is Included

When you commit to a furnace replacement, you are investing in the long-term comfort and safety of your property. We move quickly to transition your home from a state of heating failure to consistent, efficient warmth. A standard replacement involves much more than simply swapping out a metal box; it is a comprehensive service designed to optimize your home's airflow and energy consumption.

Our replacement service includes a full assessment of your current infrastructure. We verify that your ductwork is compatible with modern, high-efficiency units. Many older homes in Franklin have duct systems designed for furnaces that moved air differently than today's variable-speed units. We assess the return air drop, the plenum, and the venting system to ensure the new unit operates at its rated efficiency.

Included in every installation is the safe disconnection and disposal of your old unit. Handling heavy HVAC equipment requires specific tools and disposal methods to comply with environmental regulations. We remove the burden of disposal entirely. Furthermore, we include a new thermostat installation or calibration of your existing smart thermostat to ensure it communicates correctly with the new furnace board.

Understanding AFUE Ratings

Modern furnaces are categorized by their Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE). This rating measures how efficiently the furnace converts gas into heating energy.

• 80% AFUE: These are standard efficiency units. For every dollar you spend on fuel, 80 cents goes to heat, and 20 cents escapes through the chimney. These are common in older homes with standard masonry chimneys.
• 90% to 98% AFUE: High-efficiency units capture significantly more heat. They use a secondary heat exchanger to pull energy from exhaust gases, condensing moisture in the process. These units require PVC venting rather than metal flues.

How We Replace Your Furnace: Our Step-by-Step Process

A correct installation is the most critical factor in the lifespan of your heating system. Even the most expensive furnace will fail prematurely if it is installed incorrectly. We adhere to a strict, technical process to ensure manufacturer specifications are met or exceeded.

• Manual J Load Calculation: Before any equipment is ordered, we perform a load calculation. This determines exactly how much heat your home requires based on square footage, insulation levels, window types, and directional orientation. This prevents "short-cycling," which occurs when a unit is too big for the space and turns on and off too frequently.
• Site Preparation and Protection: Technicians prepare the workspace to protect your flooring and surroundings. Drop cloths are laid down, and the gas and electric supplies are safely shut off and locked out to prevent accidents during the swap.
• System Disconnection and Removal: We disconnect the gas piping, electrical wiring, and flue pipes. The old plenum is carefully detached. The existing unit is removed from the premises immediately to clear the workspace.
• Modifications and Placement: The new unit is positioned. If the new furnace has a different physical footprint than the old one, we fabricate custom sheet metal transitions to ensure an airtight seal with your existing supply and return plenums. An airtight seal is vital for preventing pressure loss and dust infiltration.
• Venting and Drainage: For high-efficiency units, we install dedicated PVC intake and exhaust pipes. We also set up a condensate drain line, as high-efficiency furnaces produce water as a byproduct of combustion. This line is routed to a floor drain or condensate pump.
• Gas Line and Electrical Connection: We reconnect the gas line using new sediment traps (drip legs) if necessary, ensuring clean gas flow. Electrical connections are tightened to specific torque settings to prevent arcing or overheating wires.
• Commissioning and Testing: Once physically installed, the system is fired up. We measure static pressure, temperature rise (the difference in air temperature between the return and supply), and gas manifold pressure. This ensures the furnace is burning fuel safely and moving air effectively.

Deciding Between Furnace Repair and Replacement: A Quick Guide

Homeowners often struggle to decide whether to patch up an aging system or invest in a new one. While repairs can be cheaper upfront, they are often a poor financial decision for units nearing the end of their service life. We help you make this decision using industry-standard metrics. Visit our FAQs.

The $5,000 Rule

A common benchmark in the HVAC industry is the $5,000 rule. Multiply the age of your furnace by the estimated cost of the repair. If the total exceeds $5,000, replacement is generally the smarter financial move. For example, if your furnace is 12 years old and requires a $500 repair ($6,000 total), replacement is recommended.

Critical Component Failure

Certain failures signal that the unit is terminal.

• Cracked Heat Exchanger: This is the heart of the furnace. If it cracks, it can leak carbon monoxide into your home. This is a safety hazard and usually requires a full system replacement rather than a repair.
• Blower Motor Failure on Old Units: If a blower motor fails on a unit older than 15 years, the cost of the motor often outweighs the value of the remaining system life.

Rising Energy Bills

If your heating costs have increased despite usage remaining the same, your furnace’s internal components are likely wearing down, causing it to run longer to satisfy the thermostat. Modern units can reduce heating bills by up to 30% compared to units installed just a decade ago.

Franklin, KY Specifics: Permits, Utilities, and Best Times for Replacement

Operating in Franklin requires local knowledge regarding climate patterns and building regulations. The humid subtropical climate here means your HVAC system works hard year-round. While summers are hot, the winters bring damp cold that chills homes quickly if the furnace is not sized correctly.

Seasonality and Timing

The ideal time to replace a furnace in Franklin is during the "shoulder seasons"—typically early fall (September/October) or early spring. Replacing your unit during these windows ensures you are not caught in an emergency situation during a January freeze. However, we are staffed to handle mid-winter emergency replacements when systems fail during peak load.

Permits and Inspections

Franklin and Simpson County have specific building codes governing the installation of gas-fired appliances.

• Permitting: We manage the application for all necessary mechanical permits required by the city or county.
• Code Compliance: We ensure all venting distances, gas piping sizing, and electrical disconnects meet current Kentucky building codes. This is essential for your safety and for maintaining the validity of your home insurance.

Utility Rebates

Local utility providers often incentivize the upgrade to high-efficiency equipment. We assist in identifying active rebate programs for homeowners who choose furnaces with high AFUE ratings. These rebates can sometimes offset a portion of the installation cost.

Types of Furnaces Available for Installation

Selecting the right fuel source and operation type is crucial for your comfort. We install various system types tailored to your infrastructure.

Single-Stage Furnaces

These are the most basic and affordable options. They operate at 100% capacity whenever they are on. They are reliable and less expensive to repair, but they can create temperature swings in the home as they blast hot air and then shut off completely.

Two-Stage Furnaces

These units have a "low" and "high" setting. For mild Franklin winter days, the unit runs on low (usually 60-70% capacity), which is quieter and more energy-efficient. It only kicks into high gear during extreme cold snaps. This provides more consistent comfort and better humidity control.

Modulating Furnaces

These represent the pinnacle of HVAC technology. The gas valve and blower motor adjust in tiny increments (often 1% steps) to precisely match the heat loss of your home. They run for longer cycles at very low power, keeping the temperature exactly where you set it without fluctuation.

Dual Fuel Systems

Given our region's climate, a dual fuel system is often an excellent choice. This pairs an electric heat pump with a gas furnace. The heat pump handles heating duties efficiently when temperatures are above freezing. When the temperature drops below a certain point, the gas furnace takes over. This hybrid approach optimizes energy costs based on outdoor temperatures.

Our Certifications and Why Franklin Trusts Us

When you hire a contractor to work on gas lines and high-voltage electricity in your home, trust is paramount. Read our reviews. We distinguish ourselves through rigorous training and adherence to safety standards.

We employ technicians who hold NATE (North American Technician Excellence) certifications. This third-party verification ensures that the person working on your equipment has demonstrated real-world knowledge of HVAC theory and application. We are fully licensed and insured, protecting your property throughout the installation process.

Carter Heating and Cooling does not rely on guesswork. We utilize digital manometers, combustion analyzers, and airflow hoods to verify that every installation performs according to the engineering data. We believe in transparency regarding the scope of work. You will know exactly what equipment is being installed, the efficiency ratings you can expect, and the warranty coverage protecting your investment.

Post-Installation Support

Our relationship does not end when the truck drives away. We register all equipment warranties on your behalf to ensure you receive the full manufacturer coverage, which typically spans 10 years on parts. We also offer maintenance plans to keep your new system clean and efficient, satisfying the annual maintenance requirements found in most warranty fine print.

Take Action on Your Home Comfort

Waiting for a furnace to completely fail during a deep freeze puts your home and plumbing at risk. Whether you are dealing with a red-tagged unit, exorbitant energy bills, or a system that simply cannot keep up with the thermostat, professional replacement is the solution. Secure your comfort and safety with a modern heating system designed for longevity and efficiency.

Contact us today to schedule your furnace replacement consultation and restore reliable heat to your home.