A typical residential HVAC installation runs one to three days depending on scope. Day one covers removing the old equipment, installing the new furnace or heat pump, and handling any required venting, electrical, and refrigerant work. Day two (when needed) finishes ductwork changes, thermostat setup, and commissioning. The installation crew protects your floors, pulls the Marion County or Polk County permit, registers the warranty, and walks you through operating the new system before they leave. Here’s what to expect hour by hour.
Before Installation Day
Good installations start before the crew arrives. Here’s what happens in the days leading up to your install.
The estimate and plan
During the free estimate, we walk the home, measure, run the Manual J load calculation, look at your ductwork and electrical, and lay out exactly what equipment fits your situation. You’ll get a written quote with specific model numbers, scope of work, any required upgrades (electrical, venting, thermostat, pad), and the expected timeline.
The permit
We pull the mechanical permit through the correct jurisdiction — Marion County for most Salem, Keizer, and Woodburn addresses; Polk County for West Salem, Dallas, Monmouth, and Independence; Linn County for Albany and Scio. The permit takes a few business days to issue.
Equipment ordering
Most residential equipment is stocked locally or arrives within a few days. Larger systems and specialty equipment can take 1 to 2 weeks. We give you a firm install date once the equipment is confirmed in our hands.
What to do to prepare
Simple homeowner prep makes install day smoother:
- Clear a path from the driveway to the equipment area
- Move valuables and breakables out of work zones (furnace closet, basement stairs, attic access)
- Secure pets in a room away from work areas
- Make sure we can access the electrical panel
- Plan to be available for questions but you don’t have to hover
How Install Day Unfolds
A typical one-day gas furnace or heat pump replacement looks something like this.
Arrival and setup (around 8:00 AM)
The crew arrives in marked trucks. We introduce ourselves, confirm the scope, put down floor protection from the entry point through the work area, and set up a staging zone for tools and materials. We confirm the permit is posted where the inspector can see it.
Shutdown and safe disconnect
We turn off the gas at the shutoff valve, kill power at the breaker, and verify with a meter that everything is de-energized. On heat pump and AC systems, we recover the refrigerant through an EPA-certified recovery process — we never vent refrigerant to atmosphere.
Remove the old equipment
The old furnace, heat pump, or AC gets disconnected from the ductwork, venting, electrical, and gas or refrigerant lines. We bag up old components on a tarp to protect your floors on the way out. The old equipment gets hauled away for recycling; we handle disposal.
Install the new equipment
The new furnace or air handler goes in and gets leveled. We connect the supply and return ducts, adapt any transitions if the new equipment’s footprint is slightly different, and seal joints properly. Outdoor heat pump or AC condensers get set on a pad or wall bracket.
Venting
For a high-efficiency furnace, PVC intake and exhaust venting runs from the furnace to the outside wall. For a standard 80% AFUE furnace, the existing flue connection gets inspected and fitted. We verify draft and check all venting connections for leaks.
Midday check-in
Crew takes a short break. We check in with you on any questions or adjustments.
Gas and electrical
For gas systems: new flexible gas line connections, leak test with soap solution at every joint, verify gas pressure. For heat pumps: refrigerant lines get run, pressure-tested with nitrogen, held for a leak check, then vacuumed and charged. Electrical connections get made at the disconnect and panel. We verify breaker sizing matches the new equipment’s nameplate.
Thermostat, controls, and condensate
Thermostat installation and wiring. Condensate drain routing for high-efficiency furnaces and AC coils. Condensate pump installation if gravity drain isn’t an option.
Startup and commissioning
This is where a good install separates from a rushed one. Commissioning includes:
- Verifying gas pressure under load (gas systems)
- Measuring refrigerant superheat and subcooling (heat pumps and AC)
- Measuring airflow at the air handler
- Checking temperature rise across the heat exchanger
- Testing safety shutoffs and limits
- Measuring carbon monoxide at the flue (gas systems)
- Balancing airflow at supply registers if needed
- Programming the thermostat to your schedule and preferences
This step takes 45 minutes to an hour. Skip it and you’ve got a running system, not a commissioned one.
Walkthrough and cleanup
We walk you through the new system: how to operate the thermostat, how to change filters, what to watch for, and when to schedule maintenance. We register the manufacturer warranty in your name on the spot. Floor protection comes up, work area gets vacuumed, and we leave the home cleaner than we found it.
Departure
You have a running, commissioned HVAC system, a completed install packet with warranty documentation, the permit paperwork, and our direct number for any questions.
When Installation Takes Longer
Some jobs legitimately need a second day. Expect more time if your project involves:
Ductwork modifications
Old ducts that are undersized, poorly sealed, or routed badly often need repair or partial replacement to match a new system’s airflow requirements. Common in homes built before 1990 in Salem, Silverton, and Aumsville.
Electrical panel upgrades
Upgrading to a larger heat pump or all-electric HVAC system can require a new breaker, new disconnect, or in some cases a full panel upgrade. This usually adds a day and an electrician’s coordination.
Venting changes
Going from an 80% AFUE gas furnace to a 95%+ requires new PVC venting to an outside wall — and sometimes decommissioning the existing chimney connection for that appliance.
New construction or additions
Running ducts in a new build is a multi-day process coordinated with framing and drywall.
Complex multi-zone mini-split installs
A multi-zone ductless system with four or more indoor heads routinely runs two to three days.
The Permit and Inspection
Oregon requires a permit for any furnace, heat pump, AC, or major ductwork replacement. We pull the permit, post it, and schedule the inspection.
The inspector usually comes out within a week or two of completion. They check gas piping, venting, electrical, and overall workmanship. When they sign off, you get a finalized permit card — keep it with your home paperwork. When you sell the home later, the buyer’s inspector will ask for it.
What to Watch For in the First Week
A new HVAC system often has a break-in period. Keep an eye on:
- Unusual smells. A faint odor during the first few hours of operation is normal — it’s oil and lubricants burning off new components. Persistent odors aren’t.
- Uneven temperatures. New systems sometimes need minor register balancing during the first week. Call us if you’re seeing significant differences between rooms.
- Thermostat behavior. If something seems off with the schedule or the system cycles oddly, it’s almost always a thermostat programming issue — easy to fix.
- Condensate pump operation. Listen for the pump running periodically on high-efficiency systems. A silent pump can indicate a clogged line.
A Few Things That Make Install Day Smoother
From 30+ years of doing this work:
- Ask your estimator about the specific scope and timeline up front
- Get the written quote, not a handshake number
- Confirm the permit is pulled before install day
- Stay available for questions but don’t hover
- Plan to be home for the walkthrough
How We Do It at CHS
Every install includes Manual J-based sizing, permit pulled through the correct county, full commissioning, and a walkthrough before we leave. Salaried technicians, not commissioned. Family-owned in Salem since 2001. Licensed and insured under CCB# 147550.
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Ready to Talk to Stan?
No pressure, no surprises — just honest advice from a team that’s been keeping Salem homes comfortable since 2001.
Call or text: (503) 581-6999
Email: chssatt@gmail.com
Service area: Salem, Keizer, Dallas, Monmouth, Independence, Silverton, Stayton, Aumsville, Sublimity, Albany, Woodburn, Scio, and surrounding Mid-Willamette Valley communities.
Licensed & insured: CCB# 147550
Ready for a new system and want a clear picture of what install day looks like? Call or text for a free estimate and we’ll walk you through it.