Furnace Replacement?

[Cr33p3r]

Has anyone every used Excel Energy for replacing their furnace?

I am having them come and do an energy evaluation on our 58yr old furnace for full replacement and relocation.

[Patrolman]

The energy evaluations are good, but most furnace replacements are way overpriced. I am curious what they quote.

[Rick]

when I replaced mine last year the average quote was around 5k then found a family member who does that and got away w/ 1500k

[Patrolman]

Ditto. I have a couple friends who do HVAC, so when I need to do mine, it will be at cost. There is a ton of markup in that business.

[xaza]

Excel energy is likely going to try to up sell you to a higher efficiency furnace. If you go 90% or higher the flue (exhaust pipe) will need to be changed out to pvc and will add on to material costs. If you stick with 80% you can save on those up front costs and pay that little bit more monthly. As with anything I suggest getting 3 quotes and going with the contractor that feels right.

[glacierpaul]

The fed's have changed the law/codes about 80% eff. furnaces/boilers.(New energy codes) After the law takes effect, there will be no more parts or units available, all will be 90+%. Just an fyi.
Ditto on what Cliff said. The cost for a swap vary from job to job, and the pricing I have heard of is anywhere from $1500 to $5000, as said every set up will vary due to install requirements.

[Cr33p3r]

Thanks guys, I also know that the newer High eff. furnaces that require PVC piping also require it for the drains since the condensation is hot and causing problems with the cast iron drains, My problem with that is there is no floor drain in the utility room. I know I could do all the work myself since I have done this type of work in the past but I would rather have someone else do it so I 1) have a warranty on the work, 2)don't have to be in the attick breathing all the crud w/ my emphysema and lastly so I can pay for it over time rather than one huge payment that I cannot afford right now.

[glacierpaul]

Sean, there are little sump pumps they use with 1/2" pvc piping to run it to a drain or utility sink. On the discharge, if there is cast iron drains, or the discharge water goes over concrete to a drain either buy a limestone filter or make one(I did). It is not about the water being hot, it is more to do with the acidity/PH of the discharge water, limestone will neutralize it. Your hvac guy should know this as well. Having a contractor do the install is a smart move on many levels, as well as being inspected by the city,county, etc. Will get with you at some point for that air tool!

[Serious Offroad]

glacierpaul previously posted:

[xaza]

Even if they pass a law about switching to 90% furnaces, parts will still be readily available for 80%. They use the same controls primarily and just have a secondary heat exchanger that pulls more heat out of exhaust gas. That is why the moisture in the exhaust air condenses into an acidic water. I install 80% in all the apartment complexes my company works for. If this is a furnace that you will have to maintain for years to come, consider the cost of repairs too. Carrier and Trane in my experiences have many parts that you must purchase through them which they mark way up. Fortunately the control boards have aftermarket ones now. $70 board at Johnstone = $200 board at Carrier.

[Cr33p3r]

What is your guys thoughts on Lennox furnaces?

[xaza]

In the past I have always worked rooftop commercial stuff. Actually worked for Lennox and like their rooftop units. I have been working in a commercial/residential type job for about a year now and we install Goodman units. I just installed a Goodman in my house, but I also don't plan on living in my home more than another year so it was mostly familiarity and cost.

[Serious Offroad]

Not impressed with Lennox at all, I've worked on them a lot.

I sell (sold) Rheem since I started my on biz. Outstanding quality and stellar support from my supplier. I yanked out the POS builders model furnace from my new home 2 weeks after moving in and replaced it with a 2 stage Rheem.

[Coonburger]

what ive noticed alot the real difference between the companies is how well they were installed. Any of em will have issues if not installed properly. I had to go to classes for lennox and afterwards i couldn't believe on how many units were not installed properly.

[Cr33p3r]

Thanks guys, as for the Lennox we have their DX units here at work and a few have been in place for over 20yrs w/o really any problems and I know there is a bit of a difference between a furnace and a DX unit.

Well we will see what happens with the energy audit first and go from there.

[glacierpaul]

Serious Offroad previously posted:

[Cr33p3r]

Well all in all the pricing came back better than I thought it would on the low end a 80% 2 stage unit $4900, mid range a 95% 2stage $6400 and lastly the high end a 96% $7400. That is full install with all new ducting, electrical, 1 yr service plan, inspections/permits and removal of old unit. Unfortunately it will still be in the attic which I really did not want to do but since the unit only needs serviced annually that is way better than monthly, so I think I can handle it better. I will have to cut a new larger access to the attic in one of the bedrooms and seal up the small existing one in the spare bathroom. We are going to go for the 95% unit as it will balance the air flow pretty good compared to what we have now, a minimum of a 8-10 degree difference from one room to the next. So this will help out with a more constant temp thru out the house. I do have to call the home security company and find out if their T stat will work w/ the dual stage unit or if a new T stat will work with the security system. Unit will be installed mid February right before the snowiest month of the year, Yeah!