When replacing a furnace, make sure that the replacements sized correctly. Kit is too easy to fall into a pattern of just looking at the Btu rating of the old furnace to determine the rating of the new one.
What you are trying to do is reproduce the comfort the furnace provided. For example, if a new furnace with a smaller Btu rating will heat the home just as well – if not better than the old furnace – you don't want to replace the furnace with a model of similar heating ability. It might be oversized for the house and may cause the new furnace to deteriorate faster due to the air ducts not having enough return air capacity.
Think of the furnace activity as a circuit. Each component must work in balance with the others. The heated air must be moved at the proper time with the proper volume or the chambers will get too hot. Air ducts also must be adequate. Homes change over the years with additions and improved efficiencies in other heating-related products, so Btu requirements can change as well.
Take an extra few minutes to find out the changes in the history of the home. You will not only learn a few things to help troubleshoot the system, you'll also appear more capable.
Source: Ellis Prach, Heat Exchanger Experts
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