I'm in the process of getting quotes for a new furnace and AC unit. The old furnace is a Sears Miser 80 installed back in the 1980s! The AC is Lennox installed in 1992. Furnace had no issues during our last Minnesota winter, and this spring we turned on the AC for a few unseasonably HOT days. But we had cold spell come through last week - fired up the furnace again and heard a clicking noise. Opened up and found water all over the inside of the furnace. Further checking and I've confirmed the Lennox A Coil drip pan is completely rusted through - water must be from when we used the AC several days before. Due to the age and expense to fix the drip pan, probably not smart to repair either the furnace or the AC at this point (although I considered repairing it myself!)
I have 4 bids to replace the Furnace and AC. Had no idea how expensive this is turning out to be. The online reviews for all 4 companies are great (if they're real), and they've been around for a good many years. One rep was in my home for about 10 minutes, and another rep at my home for about 1.5 hours (answering questions, but mostly talking & selling) - others were somewhere in the middle. But I didn't see any of them perform any sizing calculations and seem to quote based on the existing equipment. They quoted Carrier, Bryant, Lennox and Payne.
I have a 1958 4 level/split home about 2000-2500 SQ FT finished (very approx). The attic was spray foamed & topped with blown insulation a few years ago. The house has original wall insulation with original double hung windows/combination storms (but windows have new weather stripping). The Sears Furnace is from the 1980s, 80 percent 80,000BTU. The Lennox AC is a 2 ton but I believe the Evap A Coil is larger?
I'm really torn on a some features. Based on a few discussions with the reps, I would rather not go to a condensing furnace, running new PVC will be difficult and the upgrade expense is too high. So I would like to keep with an 80 percent furnace. Still trying to decide single, multiple or variable speed motor as well as choosing a 1 or 2 Stage unit. Is simple better? I have concerns about complicated systems for future failures & expense - should I be concerned? Would I really notice any gains by the Variable speed motor or the 2 stage gas valve? Even though I need to keep costs down, I do realize we'll be keeping these units for a very long time - if an upgrade is worth it in the long run I would consider it.
Based on the above info, what am I missing to make an informed decision. Advice and tips to pick a good unit? Ideas to help keep costs down in both equipment and install labor?
Sorry for the long post - just trying to be thorough!
I have 4 bids to replace the Furnace and AC. Had no idea how expensive this is turning out to be. The online reviews for all 4 companies are great (if they're real), and they've been around for a good many years. One rep was in my home for about 10 minutes, and another rep at my home for about 1.5 hours (answering questions, but mostly talking & selling) - others were somewhere in the middle. But I didn't see any of them perform any sizing calculations and seem to quote based on the existing equipment. They quoted Carrier, Bryant, Lennox and Payne.
I have a 1958 4 level/split home about 2000-2500 SQ FT finished (very approx). The attic was spray foamed & topped with blown insulation a few years ago. The house has original wall insulation with original double hung windows/combination storms (but windows have new weather stripping). The Sears Furnace is from the 1980s, 80 percent 80,000BTU. The Lennox AC is a 2 ton but I believe the Evap A Coil is larger?
I'm really torn on a some features. Based on a few discussions with the reps, I would rather not go to a condensing furnace, running new PVC will be difficult and the upgrade expense is too high. So I would like to keep with an 80 percent furnace. Still trying to decide single, multiple or variable speed motor as well as choosing a 1 or 2 Stage unit. Is simple better? I have concerns about complicated systems for future failures & expense - should I be concerned? Would I really notice any gains by the Variable speed motor or the 2 stage gas valve? Even though I need to keep costs down, I do realize we'll be keeping these units for a very long time - if an upgrade is worth it in the long run I would consider it.
Based on the above info, what am I missing to make an informed decision. Advice and tips to pick a good unit? Ideas to help keep costs down in both equipment and install labor?
Sorry for the long post - just trying to be thorough!
source https://hvac-talk.com/vbb/threads/2228287-Need-New-Furnace-amp-AC-Advice!?goto=newpost
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