Need new furnace and a/c

[nipper]

Well, the A/C condenser went out in the house this weekend and had our normal repair guy come out today. He says the condenser is shot and says the furnace is in pretty bad shape also. I wish he would have told us that in May when he was out to replace the blower motor unit in the furnace. In any event, we are looking to replace the whole thing (about 21 years old now) and wonder if any of you have suggestions on brands. Our house is about 3000 square feet including the finished 1/2 basement with 2 levels above the basement. I have heard all furnaces are made by the same company except the top brands like Rheem, Trane and Carrier. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks.

[nipper]

Should have told you that we will be installing a natural gas furnace. I live in Indianapolis, Indiana. Any of you in similar climates ever use a heat pump system?

[Blue_Runner]

Nipper, I'm in a much warmer climate than you here in NC. When I built my house we started off with an oil furnace. It was nice instant warm heat. When we remodeled gas was going up so I switched out to a heat pump. I love the heat pump and for me it costs less to run than the oil furnace.

As for brands, I can ask my dad what he thinks. He's plant manager for over 30 years at a plant that builds oil furnaces. I put in 10 years there on the assembly line back in my younger days too. From what I know on the subject (not a lot) I don't think I'd go with a heat pump in Indiana. I think you are on the right track with Natty gas.

I just emailed my dad....we'll see what he says on brands.

[Blue_Runner]

Ok, he's already knocked off work for today. I should have an answer for you tomorrow - if he even knows!

[THEFERMANATOR]

I don't have a furnace, but I have an A/C with heat strip. When I was shopping around I found GOODMAN to be the cheapest by far, and has the same warranty as the big names do. They make all kinds of units and there prices seem to be the best out there from what I have found. I know my neighbor does HVAC and he uses alot of PAYNE and TRANE units as well as a few CARRIERS, but he recently started carrying the GOODMAN's due to the cost difference.

[macojoe]

I have a Goodman AC that is 10 years old and works great for me, had to change the capacitor this year.
I live in Mass and have forced hot air gas and it is by far the best heat I have had, a bit dry but add a humidifier to the unit and adjust to what you like
And the duct work is perfect for the AC to run also

[lumberslinger178]

Goodman is what we have been useing due to cost and trying to be compeditive in the field , and we havent had any problems with them.
I have heil in my house for 8 yrs now and have never had a problem , I think there all about the same. IMO

[drbabe]

Hey, check with your state and federal stuff. Right now there are tax breaks and refunds for furnaces, especially if you go above 85 % efficiency. It doesn't knock down the outlay, but it helps in the long run.
Dave

[nipper]

Thanks for all the responses. The system the HVAC guy has given us a quote on is a Goodman. I read some reviews on the internet with mixed results. Probably the reviews I found most persuasive were from HVAC contractors who tend to like the Goodman brand because of the cost and the good warranty. I saw many comments that were similar to yours, Lumber, that the furnaces are all pretty much the same and that it is the quality of the installation by the local HVAC contractor which makes or breaks a system.

DRB, you are right about the rebates. Federal tax rebate of 30% (limit of $1500) for high efficiency system (I would be going with a Goodman 95% efficient model) and gas company rebate of $220, so that helps defray the cost of this $5900 system!

[Franco]

I had a Trane Gas Pack unit installed at my old house in Virginia, it was the best I ever had.


http://www.trane.com/Residential/Pro...ctric-Packaged