Gary, IN Heating System: Choose the Right Gas Furnace

Estimated Read Time: 10 minutes

A failing heater during lake-effect cold is more than an inconvenience. If your system is aging or unreliable, a smart gas furnace replacement protects comfort and energy costs. In this guide, you’ll learn how to choose the right capacity, AFUE efficiency, and features, what installation should include, and how to avoid common pitfalls. If you want a fast, local recommendation and an upfront quote, Summers Plumbing Heating & Cooling is ready to help today.

Signs It’s Time to Replace, Not Repair

Most gas furnaces last 15 to 20 years with proper maintenance. If yours is near that age and repairs are stacking up, replacement often saves money over the next few winters.

Common replacement signals:

1. Frequent or expensive repairs within 12 to 24 months.
2. Safety problems like cracked heat exchangers or recurring CO concerns.
3. Uneven heating, short cycling, or noisy operation that persists after service.
4. Rising gas bills despite clean filters and tune-ups.
5. Legacy single-stage unit that runs constantly but never feels comfortable.

Pro tip: Ask for a repair-versus-replace cost analysis that compares total ownership cost over 5 to 10 years, not just today’s invoice.

Correct Sizing: The Foundation of Comfort

A right-sized furnace runs longer, quieter cycles and uses less fuel. Oversized units short cycle and wear out parts. Undersized units struggle in a Chesterton cold snap.

What proper sizing includes:

1. Manual J heat-load calculation that considers square footage, insulation, windows, air leakage, and occupant habits.
2. Duct assessment to verify static pressure, leakage, and diffuser balance.
3. Local weather data for Northwest Indiana, where lake winds and humidity change heat loss.

Ask your contractor:

• Will you perform a room-by-room Manual J and share the BTU estimate?
• Will you verify duct sizing and returns to match the new blower?
• Will you check gas line sizing and regulator pressure during install?

AFUE Efficiency and Furnace Staging

AFUE tells you how efficiently a furnace converts fuel into heat. Higher AFUE means more heat per therm and lower bills.

Efficiency choices:

• Standard high-efficiency: 92 to 95 percent AFUE, sealed combustion, PVC venting.
• Premium high-efficiency: 96 to 98 percent AFUE, often with modulating gas valves for precise comfort.

Comfort features that matter:

1. Two-stage or modulating gas valves reduce temperature swings and noise.
2. Variable-speed ECM blowers improve airflow, comfort, and filtration.
3. Smart thermostat compatibility for better scheduling and energy reports.

If you feel rooms drift warm and cool across cycles, a two-stage or modulating furnace is often the fix.

Venting, Fuel, and Home Compatibility

Your home’s venting dictates which furnace families will work without major changes.

Key considerations:

1. Venting path: High-efficiency furnaces typically use PVC sidewall venting. Legacy metal chimney vents may require a liner when you upgrade.
2. Combustion air: Sealed combustion models draw air from outdoors, improving safety and efficiency.
3. Gas type: Most furnaces ship for natural gas and can be converted to LP with a manufacturer kit.
4. Condensate: High-efficiency units produce condensate that must drain or be pumped. Plan routing before install day.

Ask for a pre-install site check to confirm vent lengths, clearances, and condensate routing.

Indoor Air Quality, Ductwork, and Noise

Your furnace is the heart of the air system, but ductwork is the bloodstream.

Improvements to weigh during replacement:

1. Sealing and insulating ducts in attics or crawlspaces to reduce loss.
2. Adding returns in closed-off rooms to improve pressure balance.
3. Upgrading filtration to a media cabinet or HEPA bypass where needed.
4. Integrating humidity control to combat dry winter air.
5. Selecting a variable-speed blower to lower operating sound and enhance filter performance.

If your home near the lakeshore suffers dust or dry air, pair the new furnace with a media filter and humidifier for a comfort reset.

Total Cost of Ownership, Not Just Sticker Price

Comparing quotes only on equipment price invites regret. Consider all costs and protections.

What to evaluate:

1. Energy savings from AFUE and staging.
2. Warranty coverage for parts, heat exchanger, and labor.
3. Maintenance plan discounts, priority service, and tune-ups.
4. Financing terms and payment options to preserve cash.
5. Local service reputation and response time in severe weather.

Summers Plumbing Heating & Cooling offers upfront pricing so you approve the final number before work starts. Our financing options include plans with payments as low as $75 per month on select high-efficiency furnaces, subject to terms.

What a Professional Furnace Replacement Should Include

A quality install matters more than model number. Here is a proven process that delivers reliable results:

1. Home assessment and Manual J heat-load calculation.
2. Equipment selection with staged or modulating options and ECM blower.
3. Written scope with model numbers, AFUE, warranties, and timeline.
4. Safe removal and disposal of the old unit.
5. New venting, gas connection with leak test, and code-compliant condensate routing.
6. Duct transitions sealed and tested for airflow.
7. Thermostat install or calibration.
8. Start-up procedure, combustion analysis, and temperature rise verification.
9. Owner walkthrough with filter sizing, maintenance schedule, and warranty registration.

Expect clean drop cloths, shoe covers, and a tidy workspace. Fully stocked trucks help avoid delays.

Compliance, Safety, and Peace of Mind

Safety is nonnegotiable with gas heat. Choose a contractor who documents testing.

Nonnegotiables to request:

• Combustion analysis with printout or digital report.
• Gas leak and CO checks after start-up.
• Electrical checks, including tightness and proper grounding.
• Heat exchanger inspection if your system is not being fully replaced yet.

Summers technicians are drug tested, background checked, licensed, and continuously trained. We are fully licensed, bonded, and insured, and we stand behind parts and labor with clear warranty terms.

Local Buyer’s Checklist for Chesterton and Nearby Cities

If you live in Chesterton, Valparaiso, Portage, Hobart, Kouts, or along the lakeshore, use this quick list to compare proposals:

1. Manual J report attached with BTU target and design temperature.
2. AFUE rating, staging type, and blower type listed.
3. Venting plan, condensate path, and chimney liner needs noted.
4. Thermostat compatibility and included accessories confirmed.
5. Labor and parts warranties in writing, with coverage length.
6. Total project price with permits, haul away, and start-up included.
7. Timeline with expected install date and duration.
8. Maintenance plan options and any coupons applied to your job.
9. Proof of licensing and insurance.

Local insight: Northwest Indiana winters can swing fast with lake-effect bursts. A two-stage or modulating furnace with a variable-speed blower smooths out temperature swings and noise while improving air filtration on mild days.

When Repair Still Makes Sense

If your furnace is younger than 10 years, well maintained, and the failure is minor, repair can be the clear winner.

Good repair candidates:

• Failed igniter or simple control board replacement.
• Blower motor or capacitor issues on otherwise healthy systems.
• Thermostat or sensor faults identified during diagnostics.

Summers technicians perform a clear diagnostic, explain the findings in plain language, and only recommend replacement when it is the smarter financial choice. All repairs use high-quality parts to ensure long-lasting solutions.

Protecting Your New Investment

A furnace replacement is step one. Keep it running like new with routine care.

Best practices:

1. Change or wash filters on schedule.
2. Keep supply and return vents open and unobstructed.
3. Schedule precision tune-ups before peak season.
4. Join a maintenance plan for regular service and priority scheduling.

As a maintenance plan member, you benefit from two professional tune-ups per year, first-in-line scheduling, and valuable repair discounts. It extends equipment life and helps keep energy costs in check.

Two Hard Facts That Help You Decide

• Summers Plumbing Heating & Cooling has served local homeowners since 1969 and provides 24/7 emergency heating service for extreme weather.
• Active savings today: $69 Furnace Inspection with a No Breakdown Guarantee is available through 2025-11-05, and select high-efficiency furnace financing offers payments as low as $75 per month through 2025-11-30, terms apply.

Special Offers for Furnace Replacement and Tune-Ups

• Save with a $69 Furnace Inspection with No Breakdown Guarantee. Use code: $69 Furnace Inspection. Book by 2025-11-05.
• Free service call with any paid repair. Schedule by 2025-11-05.
• Payments as low as $75 per month on select high-efficiency furnace installations. Expires 2025-11-30. Terms may apply. Call for details.

Call (219) 500-8902 or visit https://www.summersphc.com/chesterton/ to claim your offer. Must present coupon at time of service. Cannot be combined with other discounts.

What Homeowners Are Saying

"Rob & Dakota were awesome. They throughly cleaned and checked my furnace and boiler and went above and beyond my expectations." –Chesterton

"Extremely thorough. Had inspection on furnace done. Was told exactly what is going on in real time and what might be an issue in the future. Ended up purchasing a new system and Ryan was thorough and considerate of all of my concerns." –Valparaiso

"Very professional, personable, experienced HVAC tech. I'm not experienced with newer furnaces and Bo got my furnace up and going in a short amount of time." –Portage

"The folks at Summers Heating and Cooling have been terrific, and Max O. was a rockstar, explained everything going on and updated with info on each system check. Couldn't be happier!" –Hobart

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know what furnace size I need?

A Manual J heat-load calculation is the standard. It evaluates square footage, insulation, windows, air leakage, and local climate. Avoid estimates based only on old equipment size.

What AFUE should I choose for Northwest Indiana?

Most homeowners pick 95 to 98 percent AFUE for lower bills and comfort. The right choice depends on budget, venting path, and how long you plan to stay in the home.

Do I need to replace my ducts with a new furnace?

Not always. Many systems benefit from sealing, added returns, or small transitions. Your contractor should test static pressure and airflow before recommending duct changes.

How long does furnace installation take?

Most replacements take one day, including start-up testing and cleanup. Complex venting or duct modifications can extend the timeline to two days.

What warranties should I look for?

Look for written parts coverage, a long heat exchanger warranty, and clear labor terms. Confirm who registers the equipment and how claim service works.

Conclusion

Choosing the right gas furnace replacement comes down to smart sizing, AFUE, staging, and a clean, code-compliant installation. For dependable comfort in Chesterton, Valparaiso, Portage, and nearby towns, trust a local team that documents testing and stands behind the work.

Ready for Expert Help?

Get an upfront quote, fast scheduling, and options that fit your home and budget. Call Summers Plumbing Heating & Cooling at (219) 500-8902 or visit https://www.summersphc.com/chesterton/ to schedule now. Mention the $69 Furnace Inspection with No Breakdown Guarantee before 2025-11-05 or ask about payments as low as $75 per month on select furnaces through 2025-11-30. Terms apply.

About Summers Plumbing Heating & Cooling

Since 1969, Summers Plumbing Heating & Cooling has served Northwest Indiana with licensed, bonded, and insured HVAC pros. We offer upfront pricing, 24/7 emergency service, fully stocked trucks for faster fixes, and financing options. Our background-checked, continuously trained technicians handle installs, repairs, and maintenance for furnaces, boilers, heat pumps, and mini-splits. Expect clear communication, dependable warranties, and local insight into lakeshore humidity and winter cold. We proudly serve Chesterton, Valparaiso, Portage, Hobart, and nearby communities.