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QUESTION:I am reviewing quotes for a new oil hot air furnace to replace my dead
Lennox furnace (25yrs old; heat exchanger burned through).
Quote #1:
Comfort-Aire UniCell 130-D5 furnace
2200 Aprilaire Air Cleaner
Quote #2:
Rheem ROBC-130RBJA furnace
Honeywell T87F Thermostat
Trion HE-2000 Electronic Air Cleaner
There is a $70 difference in the quotes. Both cover all the duct work and
wiring. Company #2 offers a full one year warranty on parts and labor
beyond the standard Rheem warranty. Company #1 didn't quote on a new
thermostat.
Since the quotes are essentially the same, I'm interested in comments on
the equipment. The air cleaners are add-ons to the quote and the Trion
costs about twice the Aprilaire. Are such units necessary?
Are these furnaces pretty equivalent? Comfort-aire re-labels a Rheem
furnace, don't they? I have a brochure for the Comfort-Aire, but not the
Rheem, so I don't have the exact specs on that unit yet.
ANSWER: I agree with HVACR Tech, get a 3rd opinion. We've used 1 Rheem oil drum
and the customer still won't speak to us. We even had the factory man
out to check it out. No more! Comfortaire's Patriot series might be
better, not a Rheem product. I prefer the 2200 type media air cleaners
over the Trion HE2000 plate type electronic. If severe allergies
dictate, go with the Aprilaire 5000 media electronic air cleaner
instead. Less maintenance, performance increases as it runs not
decreases as with the plate type.
For oil furnaces, Bard or Armstrong probably the best "affordables" with
ThermoPride being the top of the line.
Speaking of stats, I'd avoid the mechanicals like the T87. Get a good
digital, like the White-Rodgers 1F86 instead, much more accurate.
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