furnaces - prices?

[w2i2m901]

Thanks for your information....The service rep told me as the house is 50+ years old and the furnace is approx 20-25 years old....as he was in to check and upgrade the thermostat due to a free promotion offered by the local gas/utilities company...he discovered that the "fan from the furnace keeps running and running"....there is a problem wih "cycling off the safety limit" and that "there is carbon" on the outside of the furnace which causes "flame rollover/rollout"...(burners come on...the high limit control...(pilot light stays on, though)...thermostat sits internally....and if it gets too hot...it shuts itself off.
There could be an issue with the safety limit no working properly due to a possible cracked heat exchanger...he says that he could replace the part of the crack in the heat exchanger....But that also may not be the problem...which would cost about $250-$300...thus...he would recommend a mid-efficiency furnace installed for $2500....but as I understand...only the High efficiency furnaces are covered for government rebates. can anyone help....I don't understand any of the terms used?
thanking you in advance for any light you can shed? or offer?
M




Hi....Does anyone know how much furnaces costs? which is better mid-efficiency or high-efficiency...I have a small bungalow approx 900 square feet.
Any input is appreciated.
M

[Whitedart]

Hi....Does anyone know how much furnaces costs? which is better mid-efficiency or high-efficiency...I have a small bungalow approx 900 square feet.


What is the btu output on the existing furnace? It should be visible on a plate attached to the furnace showing the model number, serial number, input btu, output btu.

High efficiency will cost less to operate, but will cost more to purchase and install.

I have also been looking to replace a furnace, and finding pricing info on many web sites is non existant. I did find one local site with various models and furnace pricing, but installation was about $500 to $750 extra.

I have called several installers, and find pricing is all over the map with each offering different levels of efficiency/brands, so comparing apples to apples has been tough.

It also appears about 6 manufacturers sell most brands of furnaces grouped like:

Carrier, Bryant, Keeprite, and Payne

Amana, Goodman, Trane, American Standard

York, Luxaire

Lennox, Aire Flo, Armstrong Aire

Rheem, Rudd

Coleman fits into one of these as well, but I forgot which one.

[Whitedart]

Thanks for your information....The service rep told me as the house is 50+ years old and the furnace is approx 20-25 years old....as he was in to check and upgrade the thermostat due to a free promotion offered by the local gas/utilities company...he discovered that the "fan from the furnace keeps running and running"....there is a problem wih "cycling off the safety limit" and that "there is carbon" on the outside of the furnace which causes "flame rollover/rollout"...(burners come on...the high limit control...(pilot light stays on, though)...thermostat sits internally....and if it gets too hot...it shuts itself off.
There could be an issue with the safety limit no working properly due to a possible cracked heat exchanger...he says that he could replace the part of the crack in the heat exchanger....But that also may not be the problem...which would cost about $250-$300...


This thread probably belongs in the Home & Garden section of Red Flags...

But it sounds like there are problems with the furnace, and it is due to be changed.


thus...he would recommend a mid-efficiency furnace installed for $2500....but as I understand...only the High efficiency furnaces are covered for government rebates. can anyone help....I don't understand any of the terms used?
thanking you in advance for any light you can shed? or offer?
M


Do a google search on high efficiency furnaces and start reading about them, so you understand the language referred to about them. I am sure it will pay off in the long run.

I have been getting prices of about $2500-3500 for a high efficiency furnace to heat a 3000 sq ft 20 year old house, matching the output size of the existing original furnace which has been fine size wise. I would think that $2500 or less should get you a high efficiency furnace and about $1700-1800 for a mid efficiency. Shop around.

Here is a link to Ontario rebates, and an FAQ list about the program on the top right.

http://www.energy.gov.on.ca/index.cfm?fuseaction=conservation.homeretrofit

[woof]

You have a very small house (900 sq ft) and should require a fairly small furnace. The costs you are being quoted seem way out of line. Do a lot of shopping around and price comparisons. A report that I recently saw where I am commented on the fact that there is a large price discrepancy in what companies are charging for essentially equivalent furnaces. Price gouging seems to be the norm in this business, especially since when people need a new furnace they really need it now and don't have time to look around. Unfortunately, this time of year is not the best time to get a good deal.

Check gas company online sites for info on operating cost comparisons between mid level and high efficiency furnaces.

As an alternative you could look into a replacement central electric furnace which would probably be cheaper than gas. I saw a display once at Home Depot where some company had both gas and electric furnaces set up. You'd have to look into the operating cost though.

And by the way don't believe the ******** the furnace guy gave you. Get another expert in to verify what he told you. These guys are in the business of scaring people into believing that they need a new furnace. The furnace cleaning promotions and the like don't pay their bills - the real purpose is to get into your house to see if they can sell you a new heating system. That's where the money is.