FURNACE INSTALLATION IN OREM — DONE IN A DAY

Most of Orem was built between 1965 and 1985, with major waves of development in the late 70s and early 80s. The original furnaces in those homes are long gone — they got replaced once already, usually somewhere between 1995 and 2008. That replacement cohort is now 18 to 30 years old and hitting end-of-life all at once. Cracked heat exchangers, control boards giving up, gas valves drifting, blower motors seizing. We're replacing more single-stage 80% AFUE units in Orem than anywhere else on our service map.

Swapping a 17-year-old 80% AFUE for a new 95%+ high-efficiency cuts Utah winter gas bills 15 to 25%, takes one working day, and buys you another 15 to 20 years of reliable heat. The actual install is the easy part. Doing it correctly — proper load calculation, right-sized equipment, sealed supply plenum, new flue, condensate routed safely, permit pulled — separates a ten-year install from a two-winter call-back.

What gets installed in a typical Orem replacement

A modern 95%+ AFUE condensing furnace vents through PVC (not metal flue), pulls combustion air from outside, and condenses the exhaust to extract nearly all of the heat. That condensate has to drain — tied into an existing drain, pumped to a floor drain, or routed outside with freeze protection. If we're replacing an 80% atmospheric-vent unit (most Orem replacements), the existing metal flue usually can't be reused because your water heater can no longer pull enough draft on its own. We re-line the chimney or convert the water heater's venting as part of the job.

Right-sizing the replacement

Most original Orem furnaces were oversized. The original builder sized for peak load plus a generous safety factor, which meant the system short-cycled on average days and wasted gas running full blast for five minutes at a time. When we replace, we do a real Manual J heat-loss calculation for your home's envelope, insulation, window area, and exposure. Nine times out of ten the right replacement is one half-ton smaller than what you had. Smaller, modulating units run longer cycles at lower burn rates, keep temperatures steadier, save real money.

Single-stage to two-stage upgrades — the Orem sweet spot

This is the conversation we have constantly in Orem. Original 1998 builder-spec single-stage 80% AFUE blasts at 100% output for 5 minutes, shuts off, repeats. The upgrade most Orem homeowners get the most value out of: a two-stage 96% AFUE with ECM blower. Runs at 65% output on mild days, 100% only when it's cold. Steadier temperatures, dramatically quieter, and 15 to 20% lower gas bills. Costs a little more upfront ($1,500 to $2,000) than a like-for-like single-stage, but the comfort and savings make it the right call for most Orem family homes.

Brands we install

Trane XR, XL, and XV series. Lennox Merit and Signature. Carrier Performance and Infinity. Rheem Classic Plus and Prestige. Rheem and Trane have the best parts availability at Utah Valley supply houses. Factory-trained on all four. We'll quote two to three brand options at different price points.

Honest pricing

A standard 95% AFUE single-stage furnace, properly installed with permit and PVC venting, runs $5,200 to $7,800 in Orem. Two-stage units with ECM blowers move to $6,500 to $9,200 — best value for most Orem homes. Fully modulating 97%+ AFUE units with communicating controls run $8,500 to $12,500. Anyone quoting $3,500 for a "full install" is skipping the permit, reusing bad ductwork, or using a non-branded unit. We've cleaned up after that show many times.

Rebates and financing

Dominion Energy ThermWise rebate of $300 to $450 on qualifying 95%+ AFUE furnaces. Federal 25C Energy Efficient Home Improvement tax credit covers 30% of installation costs up to $600 for qualifying high-efficiency units. Combined savings can hit $1,000+ on a modulating install. We provide the model numbers and AHRI certifications needed for both. 0% financing for 12 months on approved credit. Quality Service Club HVAC members get 15% off accessories (humidifier, media filter, zoning) added at install plus the first year of maintenance included.