I have a HVAC company I have used for years, during the last annual tune up they said I should plan on a replacing the furnace in the next year or so. I had them give me a quote I just need to have it explained to me. I plan on selling the house in the next 5 years or so. I have enclosed a picture.

What is the difference between the two options?
Is it a good brand?
Would the cost saving warrant the extra $1k over 5 years or for resale?
Is the price in the ball park? The company has always treated me right and even talked me through some issues over the phone instead of a service call, I trust them.
I already have a NEst I assume I could use that with the new furnace?

Thanks
Ed

I know you said you trust them, but did they articulate why your furnace will need replacement?

If it is still running, I'd install it just before moving so the new owner has the warranty. If you are going to a direct vent furnace, the chimney may be undersized for a remaining fixture, like a water heater, and require lining to resize it per code.

Energy savings are determined by usage. Armstrong may not be a great equipment choice. Goodman has been a strong contender lately.

The two speed variable speed blower is biggest reason.

Will there be a cost savings associated with them, yes, will it give you a return on investment in next 5 years, likely no... Especially if something breaks. Yes it has a warranty, but labor after hours or 2 years, will eat into it.

I am firmly in the keep it simple camp.

Mechanical things break. It happens. How easy to replace, how cheap, how available etc. all matter to me. When it is freezing, or brutally hot, I want it fixed and I want it fixed now... What parts are on the van, what has to be special ordered...

My house, would have second, less expensive option.

Don't know Indiana pricing, but seems very reasonable.

quote:

Originally posted by Valpo Fz:
I have a HVAC company I have used for years, during the last annual tune up they said I should plan on a replacing the furnace in the next year or so. I had them give me a quote I just need to have it explained to me. I plan on selling the house in the next 5 years or so. I have enclosed a picture.

WHY does it need to be replaced in a year or so?
How about a photo of the current furnace setup?

quote:

Originally posted by Valpo Fz:
What is the difference between the two options?

Opt 1 is a 96%, 2-stage (hi and low heat), variable speed blower (operational savings and can help with ducting issues).
Opt 2 is a 95%, single stage (hi heat), basic blower (higher operational cost).

quote:

Originally posted by Valpo Fz:
Is it a good brand?

Couldn't tell ya, as I don't know the installer, their training/experience or work quality.
Every brand can either be a total POS or the best thing on the market. Always comes down to sizing, installation, setup and maintenance.

quote:

Originally posted by Valpo Fz:
Would the cost saving warrant the extra $1k over 5 years or for resale?

Savings, no.
Helping with possible comfort issues, yes.
Resale, big no.

quote:

Originally posted by Valpo Fz:
Is the price in the ball park?

Who's ball park? Relies on too many unknowns (installation requirements) to give an accurate answer.
Slam bam thank ya mam job, too high.
Reasonable job, ok.
Quality job with load calc, media filter, proper setup, etc., cheap.

quote:

Originally posted by Valpo Fz:
I already have a NEst I assume I could use that with the new furnace?

Yes, if you are satisfied with it.

The furnace is over 20 years old and the housing is rusted. I’ll take some pictures when I get home.

You're on a subject I really dislike. As many scam artists as you can find. Furnaces are said to only last 10 years. The current level of junk is only exceeded by refrigerators. Used to be both lasted a long time.

If you're stupid enough to buy a Korean made refrigerator, you'll be lucky to get that 10 years. A big reason is there are printed circuit boards that are no longer made. One dies, so does your refrigerator. same sort of goes for the furnace. And remember, its not just making hot, it needs to make cold. Again, parts are a big deal.

My nearly new furnace (AC really) died at the 6 year point. Sure, it only needed minor parts to repair it both times, but dead means you sweat, or freeze.

The bright side of all the new technology is that I'm still paying $100 a month for gas and electric, and its nearly January. There is a return. If you don't need it at real extremes of temperatures, and you have great insulation, it can sort of pay for itself. In an older house where you're retro fitting a unit, you may not realize the full savings of a high efficiency unit.

So back to the OPs problem. I agree with an above poster who wanted to know why it needed replacing. A real heart to heart, without the pressure of shivering or sweating. The pressure also needs to be evaluated based on why you need to sell in 5 years. Can be reduced to an equation. Its a lot to spend to just give away that soon. Maybe you'd be better off accepting a bit less for this house and planting the extra in the new house.

My 9 year old house isn't still new. I sure wish I'd spent the money upgrading this HVAC than blowing the money on the old one(which I did and it wasn't smart.)

At least you have a contractor you like. They aren't all good. 3 houses down the guy just installed a new furnace. He's selling and needs a good one. But the fools installing it have had 2 vans there for a few weeks. And another contractor has been there a few days, too.

You can install a new furnace and duct work in a couple of days. When I look outside, I'm just used to seeing "1st Call" trucks taking up the on street parking. And employees, not necessarily tradesmen, carting equipment and tools down to the house. All day, everyday. My opinion is you're better off giving the new owner the quotes and a great recommendation.

Ed, sent you an email.

If you really are going to sell in 5 years then I'd wait until the unit you have fails, or, if it becomes an issue for the buyer, then you have quotes to bargain off the price for or change it then.

Why put $4K in to replace something that is working fine, you might get a little better bill from the power company but it's not going to make up the full install cost...

quote:

Originally posted by Valpo Fz:
The furnace is over 20 years old and the housing is rusted.

My dad's furnace cabinet was really rusty after 20 years also. After 30 years, it looked downright decrepit. But easily passed the CO test just before he sold the house this summer.

Technicians had been telling him to replace the furnace since 2005 or so.

My view is to let the buyer decide. Some want the latest technology, some want basic, some might want replacement cost rolled into the mortgage.

I don't think we should forget that Ed lives in NW Indiana. He may also want some peace of mind that the heat won't go out over the next five winters.

As someone that has a newer 2-stage furnace (American Standard) I can tell you that I prefer them over the single-stage. The biggest selling point for me is that the heat is more even, no crazy temp swings. Once my house is up to temperature, the furnace will come on the low speed to maintain the temp. I don't even hear it running at the low speed.

I've had that furnace for 6 years with no service calls or problems of any kind.

Since you arent staying, I'd probably get a quote on a single stage 92% furnace

Is the existing furnace 80 or 90 pct?
If it is >=90 then those quotes are a little high IMHO.
If you have 80% then they are switching from metal pipe to plastic.
You can still buy 80% furnaces if so.

Most mfgrs are switching over to all ECM motors due to federal efficiency standards. You can still find PSC motor furnaces in stock , for now.

But, youre not going to be around for the out-of-warranty period either way it seems.

At my last home I installed a 2 stage with variable speed motor - costs were reduced and comfort level was increased - especially with a new (as you currently have) thermostat that can take advantage of that hardware.

Will the savings offset the extra $1k in cost? Unlikely. I don't think you'll get a premium during resale either - however the furnace only being 5 years old won't be a negative (i.e. negotiating point) either. A 20 year old unit likely will. In either case I'd pay the $500 or whatever it now costs for the 1 year home warranty that the realtors are pushing. In both of the sales we had (combining households) items just happened to fail AFTER the offer was made but before the house had closed and the home warranty covered in both cases (1 new fridge and 1 new range/oven) so in each case it more than paid for itself.

I currently have a furnace that burns fuel oil but I'm thinking of buying a new natural gas furnace next year since fuel oil is so expensive. I'd be interested to know what manufacturer builds the best natural gas furnace and if it's a DIY installation.

Where is all the rust they are talking about?

Looks good so far, other than it likely being a 350MAV model or variant.

quote:

Originally posted by rburg:
You're on a subject I really dislike.

Then why make it worse by posting inaccurate information?

quote:

Originally posted by calugo:
I'd be interested to know what manufacturer builds the best natural gas furnace and if it's a DIY installation.

The best furnace manufacture will be the guys/gals name who comes in and does a load calc on the structure to properly size the unit to the homes requirements. Insures the ducting will support said unit. Installs it correctly, making sure everythings up to code. Sets it up properly to insure its running with-in the manufactures specifications and insures its running safely. In a sense, finishing the manufacturing process on site.

If you have to ask if it's a DIY project, the answer is no.

Now, if you have all the knowledge and skills to do a manual J, manual D, electrical, gas line, venting, sheet metal, drains and control work, along with all the required tooling;
Electrical tools/meters
Piping tools
Sheet metal tools
Plumbing tools
Gas pressure meters
Temperature meters
Combustion analyzer

You definately wouldn't be asking if it was a DIY project.
This isn't "plug and play" equipment.

My last boiler lasted 60 years.

Plumbers always told me it needed to be replaced.

From the day I moved in until I replaced it.

30 years later.

It needed a $10 solenoid and I could not get the part and no one would work on because of the age.