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Furnace Replacement Advice
QUESTION:Just learned today that my 32 year old hot air, natural gas furnace which is
in the attic and supplies heat to 4 bedrooms and 2 baths isn't working
because there are two cracks in the heat exchanger (pilot blew out because
of this, per gas man). Apparently I need a new furnace.
Gas company estimate was $3600 for a "Comfort-Aire," 80% efficient,
horizontal flow, from 75,000 to 100,000 BTU's (old one was 105,000 BTU but
gas guy said I could get by with about 80,000). This price is for the unit,
installation, permits, and 2 years free service. I don't know the length of
the guarantee but he said most of the horizontal flow units have a life span
of about 10 years. There is no duct work to be done other than what is
involved in removal old unit and attaching the new one. There is no air
conditioning involved in this.
The price sounds high to me, but we do live in Massachusetts and costs here
are egregious. I'm told that the replacement furnace is a "middle-of-the
road" furnace. He said Comfort-Aire is the same furnace sold under the
names Ruud or Rheem or Conquest.
I know nothing about furnaces. Any recommendations about this furnace,
other brands, reasonable price, etc. would be appreciated. I don't even
know any good non-gas company guys to call here. We repeatedly get burned
with high plumbing costs (e.g. $400 to remove and replace one outside faucet
for the water hose, took 15 minutes, honest!)
ANSWER: Get at least two additional estimates. I just recently had a new
furnace installed with all new duct work(hot and cold air) with
additional runs and with air. The first company wanted $12,000. I
called a local builder who has done work for me in the past and he
recommended someone. That estimate came in at $5,500. It was also a
better more efficient unit. It took 2 1/2 days but most of the time
was installing the duct work down in the crawl space. I would think
you would want a least a 90+ unit. 80,000 btu also sounds a little
small for a 4 bedroom 2 bath house. So I strongly recommend getting at
least another estimate. After all estimates s/b free and they help to
keep contractors honest.
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