HVAC questions (gas furnace replacement)

[randomlinh]

A bit of background.. our townhome is about 25-30 yrs old running on the original furnace. It should have been replaced long ago, but I won't get into that. Insulation so-so/sucks, and it is an inside unit (not and end unit). Live in MD, DC metro area basically.

Given that, I've had a few places give me pricing and quotes for installing a new one/removing the old one. Basically ~$2900 for the Performance line of Carrier gas furnaces, and ~$3700 for the Infinity line, and $500 to slap in a humidifier.

My question is .. is the variable blower in the Infinity line worth it? The guy was trying to say it would help w/ the upper floors, but I'm a bit skeptical on how much it can. I'm pretty much going to throw in a humidifier while I'm at it since it seems so damn dry in the winters.

The other question is am I getting ripped off. Three local places, and it doesn't seem to have any significant variation from what I stated up there, but thought I'd get some opinions here.

Gracias

 

[Capt Caveman]

How big(sq ft) is your townhome? I don't know about the furnace but the humidifier sounds expensive. Should only cost about $200 for the humidifier and another $100 to install.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

seconded on the humidifier price. generally they run around $300 for a house under a couple thousand sf.

as far as the infinity line, that just gives you a higher SEER rating, so it IS more efficient. How long it will take to recoup the 800 buks, I have no idea.

 

[Squisher]

Originally posted by: randomlinh
My question is .. is the variable blower in the Infinity line worth it?

Yes, temps will be much more equalized throughout the house, because the blower will be on for a much longer time, but at a reduced speed. Also, there will be a dollar savings usually into the hundreds every year in electrical savings to run the blower.

 

[Greyd]

Originally posted by: Squisher

Originally posted by: randomlinh
My question is .. is the variable blower in the Infinity line worth it?

Yes, temps will be much more equalized throughout the house, because the blower will be on for a much longer time, but at a reduced speed. Also, there will be a dollar savings usually into the hundreds every year in electrical savings to run the blower.

you mean he will lose money or save it with the blower?

 

[Greyd]

how much doe furnaces usually run for?

 

[randomlinh]

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
How big(sq ft) is your townhome? I don't know about the furnace but the humidifier sounds expensive. Should only cost about $200 for the humidifier and another $100 to install.

drrr.. how'd I forget that. It's roughly 1200sq ft I believe.

 

[boomerang]

Carrier usually runs a rebate program once a year. I think it's in the spring, but I am not certain of that.

It can be a substantial savings. IIRC it came to about $1500 for us. We replaced the furnace, AC and had a new humidifier installed at the same time.

The rebate comes direct from Carrier, so you have to pay upfront. Our check came very quickly.

Ask the Carrier dealer about this. They will know. It may be worth the wait.

Edit: Looks like it may be in the fall.

 

[randomlinh]

Originally posted by: boomerang
Carrier usually runs a rebate program once a year. I think it's in the spring, but I am not certain of that.

It can be a substantial savings. IIRC it came to about $1500 for us. We replaced the furnace, AC and had a new humidifier installed at the same time.

The rebate comes direct from Carrier, so you have to pay upfront. Our check came very quickly.

Ask the Carrier dealer about this. They will know. It may be worth the wait.

Edit: Looks like it may be in the fall.

Can't wait... umm.. our furnace kinda doesn't work I wanted to do this earlier, but.... well, it just didn't work out. And we already did the AC a year or two ago, can't remember. Yes, I know, timing all sucks yada yada yada, let us not dwell on that...

 

[randomlinh]

bump for day crowd opinions