Comments on: Replacing the Furnace

By: Chris

Chris — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 17:13:10 +0000

Jazzy,

Try calling Costco or Sears. I think these prices will beat Direct Energy’s. Costco pricing is about $5,500 and you also get $500 back in Costco gift cards.

By: jazzybest

jazzybest — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 02:33:56 +0000

I was wondering if this quote was reasonable for furnace replacement. This is from Direct Energy. This is from small townhouse , current furnace is 17 years old and running fine and regularly maintained. The reason for replacement was to take advantage of the buy back and ECO Energy rebates. I was also curious how much longer can my current furnace run safely.

TRANE furnace
It is a 60,000 BTU 2 stage heating furnace with variable speed DC fan motor.
It includes 15 yr parts and labour warranty **
Quote includes return air intake for basement.

$6620 ( includes the energy rebate and direct energy rebate)

By: DaveGregson

DaveGregson — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 02:06:53 +0000

The savings you will get from a variable speed DC motor really depends on how you use it. It could be $150+ plus per year if you run it consistently at a low level, but less than $50 per year if you use it only for heating. BC Hydro published a FAQ sheet on this years ago.

Also, a 17 year old furnace should probably be replaced to avoid future repair costs (you hinted at this). The real issue is should have gotten a new high efficiency or mid efficiency model. But now high efficiency is required anyways, so it’s really just a question of DC vs AC blower motors.

By: Paul Quirk

Paul Quirk — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 20:33:33 +0000

It’s not just a matter of economics and the environment, but also your health. An old furnace with a pilot light is likely using draft induced ventilation. If you make your house tighter with caulking and air sealing, that old furnace could spill deadly carbon monoxide into your house simply by you running your clothes dryer and using a ventilation fan. Not to mention the fact that an old furnace likely has an old heat exchanger; the old furnaces I’ve seen have rust on this heat exchanger and look like they could go at any minute. You would never know; you could go to sleep one night and never wake up again. I would replace an old pilot light furnace due to the greater carbon monoxide poisoning risk alone.

By: Steve

Steve — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 00:23:33 +0000

I am just in the process of buying a complete TRANE heat and air system down here in San Diego, CA (USA). I agree with J.p. above, from my week of research thus far.
I am looking at the local TRANE HVAC Contractor, in business since 1996, financing of 3 years with 0% interest of 36 equal monthly payments. TRANE gives a 10 year parts and labor warranty, with a 20 year evaporator coil warranty. I figure that even if in a few years this local Contractor goes away, that I can still have another locally “endorsed” TRANE Contractor come in to warranty the repairs. I still have to ask and check up on this Contractor’s “work” references though. BAD INSTALLERS will do BAD INSTALLATIONS no matter what BRAND you do choose.
In fact out of the 3 bids I took, a minimum that you should do, TRANE was the cheapest and LENNOX was the most expensive with a RHEEM “clone” (Coleman) in the middle. Look at any tax or energy company rebates that you might also get.

By: geneveive

geneveive — Sun, 31 Oct 2010 04:30:09 +0000

How wonderful it would be to have choices. I would love to protect my environment as much as possible but I need the cheapest furnace as I am poor and had to re educate myself as a single parent. I am doing the very best I can to get out and make money, but I despertely need the cheapest furnace to heat a home that is 1500 square feet. Does anyone know the best furnace in my budget?

By: J.p.

J.p. — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 22:49:12 +0000

It still amazes me that this industry never cleans up. I have been in business for over 30 years and the real problem with this industry is too much government involvement. When they get involved things go bad because they don’t understand the industry. I have never had so many resumes in all my career.Rookies from every so called 2nd chance make believe tv guide college that says here are your new professionals. It is just scary! They have no skill because it takes time to develope it. It can’t be done in 6 months. Bad companies are hiring these people and letting the general public finish paying for their education! These grants were a shame. People paid more than they had too and I refused to particpate in it. The crooks made money as always and guys like me did some new construction and service work until it blew over.But her’s the forcast people. Our industry is in turmoil , guys are closing the doors because the quick buck is over.Their will be very little to do for the next few years so if your going to by a new unit of any kind stick with a main brand and stick with people who are going to remember your name and be there for you when it does break down. I don’t care what you buy today,they all break so you better get along with your dealer because repairs are costly on this new equipment. Take the 10 years on parts and labor and see where it takes you.Most of all like the last gentleman said “Fear sells more furnaces than fancy brochures do” and thats not right! Like anything spend the time,don’t be afraid to ask for a Refrigeration A/C Licence for that new unit.If you need extensive Ductwork,ask for that Sheet Metal Licence.Because no matter what the government thinks you need more than a gas fitter ticket which is equal or less than a driver’s licence and that’s why we have an Apprenticeship program by our government. But most important for the homeowner make sure they have insurance and worker’s compensation and a proper Hst #. If they don’t, that cheap price you got could cost you when the guy no only hurts himself or God forbid burns your house down! Lastly like Mike Homes always says Get all the permits necessary for the job! P.S. I always do a heat loss/Gain so you do get the right sized furnace and I do all the proper start up’s. If they can’t do any of what I listed call someone who can and don’t be afraid to say it because that’s what will clean up this industry is the consumer!

By: Lennox Tech, BA, IDP, EHE

Lennox Tech, BA, IDP, EHE — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 18:16:03 +0000

Ruud / Rheem, same company. Very well known and respected for making gas fired hot water tanks. They’ve had a few weak spots in their furnace designs, but they are very good at honouring their warranty. Not the quietest furnace out there. Ask your furnace installer to perform a temperature rise measurement. A proper reading will add many years of life to your heat exchanger and save you a few dollars as well – for free.

How do you know that the weld is cracked in you current heat exchanger? It had to either be visually detected or detected via CO emmissions. If visually, then a CO test must be done. If CO (carbon monoxide) is detected, then they must have given you a ppm reading or red tagged the equipment and shut off the gas supply.

If not, you got a sales pitch from a non-licenced person. Fear sells more furnaces than the fancy brochures do.

By: DebbieWpg

DebbieWpg — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 04:12:37 +0000

Our 1100 sq. ft home was built in late 60′s. Original furnace except the heat exchanger was replaced about 15 yrs ago. We’re on the budget for only $45.00 mth. August is start of new budget year. We have 0 dollars to pay on our heating! Actual gas used with this furnace and budget amount were identical, we might even be ahead a few dollars! I have a good furnace guy coming in mid Sept. to put in a new furance (a Ruud), did my homework, the guy at the Costco store was going to charge me $7000.00, and the Rudd will be $3500.00, for everything (taxes, venting, etc). The Costco guy (Trane), said I had a crack in weld and didn’t want to scare us, but I think it was a sales ploy they plant a seed in your mind. So this old furnace we have right now has served us well and heat costs with it are low, so should I go ahead and get the new one or what? Plan on staying here for probably a few more years, and it is a good selling feature in a home. And I’ve gone on-line and the Ruuds seem to have good reviews? Feedback please…thanks!

By: Lennox Tech, BA, IDP, EHE

Lennox Tech, BA, IDP, EHE — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 23:43:43 +0000

Sounds like there are a few sales people posing as consumers. Anyways, here are my opinions:

To bp – about Heil – this make is manufactured by ICP, a subsidiary owned by Carrier. ICP makes many private label brands including Kenmore for Sears, Tempstar, etc. and it is a decent furnace.

To KM – Yes, the only reason mid-e’s are on the way out is legislation. As of Jan. 1, 2010, mid-e’s can no longer be brought into Canada. However, if they are already here in inventory, you can still install them if you can find one. We ordered in over 110 units and are already done to our last 21. Find one fast if you need it! Also, pipe your condensate pump into your house drain if it is too far to the outside, and for any long run install check valves to prevent back flow. If you don’t, your pump will cycle alot more than it should.

To Superintendent C – no need to replace the vent for the hot water tank if removing the furnace. You just need to drop a flex liner down the existing one and install a rain cap. Preferablyalso install B-vent instead of C-vent where you can.

To p dot – ” I’m kind a newbie with furnace brands and specs can anyone tell me how a top of the line Trane stacks up with brands such as Carrier, Lennox etc.? ” We sell Carrier, Lennox, Amana and York and to ask which one is best is like asking which car company is best – it really depends on the specific model, to be honest. We prefer Lennox furnaces in general, but some of their models aren’t as great as others. That’s why you won’t see every available model listed on our site.

To DDB – ” My Trane central air system has a freon leak that defies locating by professionals. So I will replace it.” Hold on. Some leaks are near impossible to find. However, if you have your contractor evacuate the system, close the service valves and charge only one side of the system with dry nitrogen to 300psi or so, while leaving the other side vacuumed down, you’ll soon fine which side of the system has the leak. Also tell them to replace your Schrader valves first.

To Canadian Capitalist – Lennox warranties state that labour is 1 year, though parts can be as high as 20 years. Have you factored in that Costco customers will not get the ‘gratis’ warranty calls often offered by regular HVAC delears after the first year?

Also, having a pilot does not indicate a low or mid-e furnace, but a standing pilot does – as compared to intermittent pilot be it HSI or spark, which is the type of pilot that your new furnace also has. Ask your salesman.