Lets talk furnaces...

[WNYresident]

So... who here knows anything about furnaces?

Seeing ours is from 1985 and gas is on it's way up we would like to replace it.

Where does one draw the line on efficency versus cost of the furnace. Do you just go and by the most effcient period or do you get one which sort of gives you the most bang for your buck?

[Stevenco]

Originally posted by WNYresident
So... who here knows anything about furnaces?

Seeing ours is from 1985 and gas is on it's way up we would like to replace it.

Where does one draw the line on efficency versus cost of the furnace. Do you just go and by the most effcient period or do you get one which sort of gives you the most bang for your buck?

First of all, seeing how your current unit has not been condemmed by gas inspectors and still functions, this gives you the opportunity to shop around; as opposed to someone who HAS TO get a new furnace. You will be glad you did.

Remember furnace sizing is importent, too. If your furnace is way oversized, it will run only for a short time and not reach peak efficiency. Though with a high-effiiency gas condensing furnace size is not an issue.

The difference between mid and high efficiency is anywhere from 300 to 1000 dollars difference. It's take about four years for the high effieciency to payoff that difference in your fuel bill. And again, size is no issue with the H.E.
So, I say this IS an area where you splurge. Get the good one. It's not like your throwing it at the cable company. And don't forget to shop around as you are afforded this luxary.

[WNYresident]

Brands Brands Brands... from York to lenox to carrier..

Seeing we don't plan to move perhaps the most efficient is in order.. we have a wood burner hooked into the system too. That hasn't been used since 1990 i was told..

[biker]

We last purchased a furnace in 1985 also and had the same concerns. I found there are very non-obvious concerns that becme paramount.

For instance, in passing the guy pushing the high efficiency furnace mentioned that it took so much heat out of the exhaust that the water vapor condensed. I asked where the water went. He said they whacked a hole in the basement floor and let it drain out there. To where, I asked. To your drain tile.

I've got a hundred year old house; I don't think we have drain tile. I passed on the HE model.

As with cars, I think if you can nurse along an old furnace a few more years will save you more dough than you'll save with an energy-efficient new one (i.e., keep the Chevy and avoid buying a Prius). Put on a sweater, turn off the heat vents in a couple of rooms and turn down the thermostat for the rest.

[SolarEclipse]

I know several people that switched to high efficiency furnaces only to find their costs migrated from gas to electricity. Many of these have bigger, more electric-consuming fans that run for longer periods of time.

[ERIEMAN]

We replaced our 53 year old monster of a furnace with a 93% efficient one. We saved $80 a month on our gas bill and about $30 on our electric bill.

Don't mess around with the 80% efficient models. You're better off going with the 93...

[WNYresident]

I've got a hundred year old house; I don't think we have drain tile. I passed on the HE model.

OH now they have these neat little pumps in a housing to move condensed water from a unit to a drain. We have one on a humidifier in the basement. It collects water in a tank and periodicly pumps it to the drain. I didn't really want a hole drill in my basement floor draining water there.

[biker]

OK. So even you guys with more modern homes don't like that whole "we'll just whack a hole in your basement." thing.

It's been a few years since Ralph Kravitz, the "Dr. of Hydrostatic Pressure", has done a show on WNED-AM, but adding water to the area around or under your basement just seemd plain dumb.

The tank to the drain sounds OK. I didn't want to hook anything automatic to my dehumidifier: I wanted to have to empty the reservoir. I wanted to know it was working.

[Stevenco]

the key here is to keep doing what you're doing. start a thread inquiring about furnaces, look around, talk to your Bob Villa- like friends, read a little bit.
Don't just get high and run out and buy one.

[WNYresident]

York seems rather good. I replaced are HVAC at work with a high effiency York AC unit. Our next electric bill will tell the story if going from a seer 10 to a seer 13 made any difference.

I can't fathom other that we are getting screwed why are electric cost are so high with a dam so close.

We truely need to break the system of NYS government downwards. IT's thier job just to see how much money they can extort from us.

[biker]

At least they do something right.

[citymouse]

I have a 75 year old house.
I replaced an old converted coal stove with a HF Lenox. Best thing I ever did.
yes my electric bill increased about 15 dollars a month in the winter, but my gas dropped about 65 dollars a month ( I am on budget) and the price of gas increased that year.
The only problem I had is it vents out the side of the house and the snow drifted up and blocked the vent and the furnace was malfunctioning. I realized the problem, cleared the vent and never had a problem again.

[WNYresident]

SO what is the best furnace though. Anyone think all 93 effiencies the same?

Any one heating with wood?

[rural lady]

Hi Everyone! Just got back from vacation trip out west, and gas is much lower anywhere except New York State. Anyway, we heat with wood. We have one of those outdoor wood furnaces that connects underground with our gas furnace(we use the blower from the gas furnace). Our highest gas bill in the last 5 years was 45 dollars. I also cook and dry clothes with gas. A load of logs (20 cord) costs us about 500 dollars and lasts the winter. The house is 150 years old, insulated some(we did it) and warm! I would recommend these furnaces to anyone looking to save money. We fill ours twice a day in real cold weather. Because of insurance concerns, you must have a regular furnace as backup, ours gets run a couple of times a winter just so we know it works.

[WNYresident]

Originally posted by rural lady
Hi Everyone! Just got back from vacation trip out west, and gas is much lower anywhere except New York State. Anyway, we heat with wood. We have one of those outdoor wood furnaces that connects underground with our gas furnace(we use the blower from the gas furnace). Our highest gas bill in the last 5 years was 45 dollars. I also cook and dry clothes with gas. A load of logs (20 cord) costs us about 500 dollars and lasts the winter. The house is 150 years old, insulated some(we did it) and warm! I would recommend these furnaces to anyone looking to save money. We fill ours twice a day in real cold weather. Because of insurance concerns, you must have a regular furnace as backup, ours gets run a couple of times a winter just so we know it works.

I looked at those type too. You put them in your yard and it carries hot liquid to the house which your furnace pumps the heat from. I have a surefire 101B currently in the basement hooked through the main furnace. I was thinking of having the wood burner checked out and using that.