A furnace is a sheet metal cabinet that’s heavy without being especially large, so the limit is rarely the weight and almost always the space around it. And when a new one is installed, the old one often stays behind: left in the garage, the basement corner or the side yard by an installer who was only paid to put the new one in.
What has to happen first
Taking a furnace out of service is HVAC work. Gas, power, venting and ductwork all run into it, and they need to be dealt with by a qualified contractor.
Every appliance needs to be disconnected before pickup, including electrical, gas, and plumbing connections. For a furnace that means the gas supply shut off and capped, the power off and undone, the flue pipe taken off, and the unit separated from the ductwork. If the furnace is being replaced, the installer does all of this as part of the job.
Ask your HVAC installer, before the work starts, whether the old furnace is leaving with them. If not, book the pickup for the day after, while the path out is still clear.
The ductwork
The pickup covers the furnace itself. If the replacement also leaves sections of old ductwork or sheet metal behind, mention it when you book so the pickup is planned for it.
Where it sits decides the job
Basement furnaces are usually boxed in by ductwork with a few inches of clearance on each side, at the bottom of the stairs. Clear the stairs and the path from the furnace to the bottom step.
Garage and utility room furnaces are the easiest, often a short roll to the door.
Attic furnaces can be picked up where there’s safe access and room to work. Note an attic location when you book, along with how the attic is reached.
Furnace checklist
- Gas, power, flue and ducts undone by an HVAC contractor
- Asked the installer whether the old unit leaves with them
- Stairs and path to the door cleared
- Attic location and access noted when booking
- Any ductwork going too mentioned when booking
A furnace starts at $205 on its own. If an old water heater is coming out at the same time, it adds only its $85 add-on price to the same pickup.
