Does anyone know about furnaces?

[Jumpem]

I am waiting for a couple of places to call me back and trying to do some research.

I have an 80k btu unit now, and am thinking I want something with 90%+ efficiency. I am looking for recommendations on brnads, and what I can expect pricewise. Thanks.

 

[Jumpem]

Everybody has a furnace, but no one knows about them.

 

[Anubis]

what kind gas, oil or prop?

 

[sjwaste]

I dont know much about brands, but make sure you do a break-even analysis on price vs efficiency. You can google that and get a spreadsheet for the calc. I think the last time I read, the 90% was the sweet spot, anything higher took much longer to pay for itself.

As far as price, get as many estimates as you can. Price is going to be local unless you want to order it yourself and have it shipped, probably not worth any savings.

 

[Jumpem]

Originally posted by: Anubis
what kind gas, oil or prop?

Propane.

 

[markgm]

I have a Heil that I'm happy with, I think it's a 95% or 97% efficient model.

 

[Jumpem]

Originally posted by: sjwaste
I dont know much about brands, but make sure you do a break-even analysis on price vs efficiency. You can google that and get a spreadsheet for the calc. I think the last time I read, the 90% was the sweet spot, anything higher took much longer to pay for itself.

As far as price, get as many estimates as you can. Price is going to be local unless you want to order it yourself and have it shipped, probably not worth any savings.

The one that died was a 90%, so I want to at least stay there. I have heard the price jumps alot for the 92-96% ones.

So far I have not been able to get a single price. Sears is coming tomorrow to make recommendations and give an estimate. At all of the local places I am getting nothing but secretaries and answering machines.

 

[Tim]

Carrier is a very reliable brand that you should be looking at along with the other brands out there. I'm an authorized Carrier dealer. If you're anywhere near northern jersey, PM me and maybe I can work out a good price for you.

 

[desy]

Lennox Carrier Traine
Are the better known reliable brands around here usually are price competative with each other, but installation is another matter.
Go and get 3 quotes

 

[darkxshade]

I can only help you with a selection if you're willing to tell me how many bodies you plan on disposing.

 

[Squisher]

If you've got the money look at dual speed.

Now would be the time to think about whole house dehumidification and air cleaners if you are so inclined.

 

[amdskip]

Anyone know anything about electric forced air furnaces? Mine is at least 35 years old, seems to work great, gas is not available.

 

[Jumpem]

Originally posted by: Squisher
If you've got the money look at dual speed.

Now would be the time to think about whole house dehumidification and air cleaners if you are so inclined.

You mean a multi speed fan? And do you have more info on the dehumidification aspect? Our downstairs does get muggy sometimes in the summer.

 

[Tim]

Originally posted by: Jumpem

Originally posted by: Squisher
If you've got the money look at dual speed.

Now would be the time to think about whole house dehumidification and air cleaners if you are so inclined.

You mean a multi speed fan? And do you have more info on the dehumidification aspect? Our downstairs does get muggy sometimes in the summer.

http://www.aprilaire.com/

 

[SphinxnihpS]

SEARS will be the highest quote guaranteed.

I will second Trane, Lennox, Carrier and Heil, all top notch. The Aprilaire dehumidification system is also a must.

I put in a Lennox AC unit and a Carrier 90% NG furnace last year for just under $5000 installed for everythiing. The furnace alone should cost less than the AC unit, so less than half is a good starting point, though I may have gotten a deal on the pair.

I also got 0% and no payments for a year. Just wrote out the $5k check a couple months ago. Free money usage is terrific!

 

[Jumpem]

Originally posted by: SphinxnihpS
SEARS will be the highest quote guaranteed.

I will second Trane, Lennox, Carrier and Heil, all top notch. The Aprilaire dehumidification system is also a must.

I put in a Lennox AC unit and a Carrier 90% NG furnace last year for just under $5000 installed for everythiing. The furnace alone should cost less than the AC unit, so less than half is a good starting point, though I may have gotten a deal on the pair.

Interesting. I would have thought the opposite since they are a large company with alot of buying power. I would have assumed the mom & pop places to be more.

 

[Vette73]

get at least 3 quotes. Also check out craigslist as i had a problem with a lot of stuck up/no answer places from the phone book but much better luck with places from craigslist.

 

[Tim]

Originally posted by: Jumpem
Interesting. I would have thought the opposite since they are a large company with alot of buying power. I would have assumed the mom & pop places to be more.

I've read quite a few horror stories about sears installation services.

 

[mooseracing]

Go for the scratch and dent furnaces, you will save a ton. The one we picked up still had the warranty and only had a few small dents in it.

 

[vi edit]

Somebody give me the lowdown on these dehumidification systems? So it's basically like "air conditioning lite"? You get the moisture sucked out of the house but no coolant getting pumped in to bring the temp down?

What is the energy savings going that route vs. traditional AC? There's lots of nights in the midwest I'd love to just have a fan on because the temp is tolerable but the humidity makes it suffocating.

 

[Squisher]

Originally posted by: Jumpem

Originally posted by: Squisher
If you've got the money look at dual speed.

Now would be the time to think about whole house dehumidification and air cleaners if you are so inclined.

You mean a multi speed fan? And do you have more info on the dehumidification aspect? Our downstairs does get muggy sometimes in the summer.

Yes, multi speed.

Air cleaner: http://www.amaircare.com/

http://masterhandyman.com/colu...s.cfm?pubdate=20021012

Whole house dehimidification: Aprilaire and www.general aire.com

60% of energy used by an Air Conditioner is for dehumidification

 

[Tim]

Originally posted by: vi edit
Somebody give me the lowdown on these dehumidification systems? So it's basically like "air conditioning lite"? You get the moisture sucked out of the house but no coolant getting pumped in to bring the temp down?

What is the energy savings going that route vs. traditional AC? There's lots of nights in the midwest I'd love to just have a fan on because the temp is tolerable but the humidity makes it suffocating.

http://www.aprilaire.com/index...tsCat&category=dehumid

 

[Jumpem]

Originally posted by: mooseracing
Go for the scratch and dent furnaces, you will save a ton. The one we picked up still had the warranty and only had a few small dents in it.

How do I find a scratch and dent? You can't just go look at furnaces in a store (at least that I have seen). I assume the contractor would be getting it from a contractor-only wholesale type place.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: Jumpem

Originally posted by: Anubis
what kind gas, oil or prop?

Propane.

Hank Hill is the man you're looking for.

Originally posted by: Squisher
If you've got the money look at dual speed.

Now would be the time to think about whole house dehumidification and air cleaners if you are so inclined.

Two-stage furnace = starts up at less than full heat output (something like 2/3), and if the house hasn't hit your desired temperature after a certain amount of time it increases to full output.

Variable speed blower = pretty obvious; doesn't make noise when it turns on and off

Not sure which you were referring to, but both are good features.

 

[Tim]

Originally posted by: Jumpem

Originally posted by: mooseracing
Go for the scratch and dent furnaces, you will save a ton. The one we picked up still had the warranty and only had a few small dents in it.

How do I find a scratch and dent? You can't just go look at furnaces in a store (at least that I have seen). I assume the contractor would be getting it from a contractor-only wholesale type place.

The scratch and dents we discount here are mostly used units pulled from the jobsite. Some cases, units that were mistakenly installed, or dropped while being installed, etc. But usually it's just a used unit.