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furnace replacement & adding central AC?

Discussion in 'Other Off Topic Forum' started by ski_bum, Aug 13, 2007.

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  1. ski_bum

    ski_bum Formula 3

    Dec 26, 2002
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    San Diego
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    Michael
    #1 ski_bum, Aug 13, 2007
    I'm thinking of replacing my 30 year old furnace, and adding central air. I don't know what brand is good. Home Depot seems to be Trane. Most of the AC ads in the local paper are for Carrier.

    Anyone have any recommendations for a good brand? And is it worth adding one of those air cleaner systems?
     
  2. wingfeather

    wingfeather F1 Rookie

    Feb 1, 2007
    3,653
    rock bottom
    #2 wingfeather, Aug 13, 2007
    The HVAC systems in my house are Trane. After 20 years of neglect they seem to function well!

    The only filtration you really need is a normal paper filter... I use the top of the line 3M filters that you replace every 3 months. They work great.

    Those ionic filtration systems just don't seem to improve my quality of life, so I stopped buying them years ago.
     
  3. PeterS

    PeterS Five Time F1 World Champ
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    Jan 24, 2003
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    PeterS
    #3 PeterS, Aug 13, 2007
    Uuugh.....What a racket THIS industry is! I can not seem to find any company willing to wheel and deal on a new A/C - Heater unit for my house (That has central air). I have a 20 year old Coleman unit that sucks up propane like Redhead at a German bar! OK, I can stomach $6K for a good new unit installed, but all of the contractors are telling me that there are new laws in place in which they have to re-seal all of my ducts due to the age of the system (Or they are unable by the law to install the unit). Now I'm looking at $8K-$10K to get this job done!
     
  4. Ike

    Ike F1 Rookie

    Nov 4, 2003
    3,543
    #4 Ike, Aug 13, 2007
    Our house is ten years old and has a Trane system. It needed a coil last year but other than that has been fine.

    I'm a bit confused on how they work for heat. It is a heat pump but has an electric furnace too. I think the furnace comes on with the emergency switch.
     
  5. Evolved

    Evolved F1 Veteran

    Nov 5, 2003
    8,700
    #5 Evolved, Aug 13, 2007
    Avoid Goodman. They will be the cheapest but are not that good quality.

    Carrier makes three seperate brands that are the exact same. Payne being the cheapest.

    Do get a humdifier unit added if you have forced air. Very reasonable at time of install and worth it.

    You'll be amazed how efficent the new units are.
     
  6. ski_bum

    ski_bum Formula 3

    Dec 26, 2002
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    Michael
    #6 ski_bum, Aug 13, 2007
    The AC unit is outdoors, and is connected to the furnace inside the house. The furnace is only used to blow the cold air throughout the house. When you want heat, the AC unit is off and heat is generated by gas or electric heaters.

    My understanding of heat pumps is they are also mounted outside, and pull the heat from the ground. But if it gets really cold, or you want a warmer room, that's when you use the e-switch and create heat via gas/electricity.


    Thanks for the input. I didn't realize this could be a racket and vendors could be so devious. Must turn BS meter up! :)
     
  7. ski_bum

    ski_bum Formula 3

    Dec 26, 2002
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    Michael
    #7 ski_bum, Aug 13, 2007
    I normally use the heater maybe 15-20 times a year. But the pilot light is burning throughout winter. Definitely not an efficient use of gas!

    The two window AC units I have run 24/7 during the summer. One of them is about 25 years old, I can literally see the lights dim slightly when it kicks in.

    Spending big bucks to save on energy costs down the road seems to make economic sense for me. Being green isn't cheap!!! :)
     
  8. cessnav8or

    cessnav8or Formula 3

    May 28, 2004
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    Aaron
    #8 cessnav8or, Aug 13, 2007
    Goodman's quality has actually increased quite a bit. I believe they learned some about how to produce better quality after they bought Amana a few years ago. I have a Goodman unit on my house it has a ten year warranty parts one on labor. We just had a pretty hot heat spell with weather in triple digits for several days. House stayed at 70 degrees. I replaced a Carrier unit with my current one. It was a good unit too but was 15 years old and needed replacing. The new units are indeed a lot more efficent.
     
  9. tatcat

    tatcat F1 World Champ
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    Sep 3, 2001
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    rick c
    #9 tatcat, Aug 13, 2007
    depending on your location a heat pump could be a good deal. a heat pump works just like the a/c. instead of taking heat out of your home a reversing valve allows the unit to take heat from the outdoors and use it to heat the indoor air. some units have an auxillary heater in the air handler for when the outdoor temp drops very low. actually a window a/c unit is a heat pump too. in the winter just turn it around and it will blow warm air in. trane has been having some issuses of late. my bud has been replacing far too many. all warranty work as well.
     

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