best replacement natural gas furnace?
#1
09-05-19, 09:13 AM
best replacement natural gas furnace?
This would be for a 2 story home. Current furnace is a Lennox Pulse, about 34 years old.
I am looking for an efficient furnace, well-priced, reliable, with a good warranty.
What else should I be looking for?
I am looking for an efficient furnace, well-priced, reliable, with a good warranty.
What else should I be looking for?
#2
09-05-19, 10:23 AM
Member
Unfortunately it’s not about the brand name. How well the furnace is selected, installed and commissioned will dictate how well your furnace runs and how efficient it is.
Read here for further information-
https://www.angieslist.com/articles/...vac-brands.htm
Your first step should be a load calculation for the home, to see what size furnace you actually need.
Brand can be considered for local parts supply.
Many times, the furnace is incorrectly oversized by the builder. And your home has likely changed in the last 34 years.
I’d shy away from consumer report type sites. They don’t know very much about hvac.
Read here for further information-
https://www.angieslist.com/articles/...vac-brands.htm
Your first step should be a load calculation for the home, to see what size furnace you actually need.
Brand can be considered for local parts supply.
Many times, the furnace is incorrectly oversized by the builder. And your home has likely changed in the last 34 years.
I’d shy away from consumer report type sites. They don’t know very much about hvac.
#3
09-05-19, 07:32 PM
Group Moderator
Now is a good time to shop before the cold sets in. Call and get a few estimates. Let the companies tell you what they install. There are many good brands..... Trane, Amana, American Standard and even Goodman.
They all have basic to high efficiency units. The installation is more important than the actual brand.
Keep in mind..... the higher you go in efficiency..... the more money you'll save running the unit
but the more it will cost to fix.
They all have basic to high efficiency units. The installation is more important than the actual brand.
Keep in mind..... the higher you go in efficiency..... the more money you'll save running the unit
but the more it will cost to fix.
#4
09-06-19, 09:26 AM
A gas furnace can last a long time. What problems are you seeing with this old one?
In addition to getting a heat load calculation done making heat loss improvements will directly affect total use and the size furnace selected. Just going big is not the best approach and in fact big can reduce the ultimate efficiency.
Repairs for modern high efficiency furnaces can be a shocker so select a reputable company and go with what the brand they recommend and will stand behind.
Tell us more about your house, improvements, additions, and other changes since it was built.
Being a DIY site the pros here can help you do your own load calculation so you can have that in hand as you receive estimates.
Bud
In addition to getting a heat load calculation done making heat loss improvements will directly affect total use and the size furnace selected. Just going big is not the best approach and in fact big can reduce the ultimate efficiency.
Repairs for modern high efficiency furnaces can be a shocker so select a reputable company and go with what the brand they recommend and will stand behind.
Tell us more about your house, improvements, additions, and other changes since it was built.
Being a DIY site the pros here can help you do your own load calculation so you can have that in hand as you receive estimates.
Bud
#5
09-10-19, 07:19 AM
I'm not seeing problems, just that it is about 34 years old. I'm having an inspection tomorrow and no doubt the issue of replacing will come up.
The house square footage is about 800 main floor, 500 2d story, and 950 finished basement. I may want to add another 400 ft2 to the 2d story within a couple of years.
I definitely want to replace the piece of elbow duct that connects to the air handler. The cold air drop. This is a curved 90 degree measuring 26x26x20. It is rusted and smelly.
I really don't care about getting the absolute highest efficiency or bearing the associated costs. I am mostly concerned with quality and reliability. We get -30 degree winters here. I do care about the warranty and since I may sell within a couple of years would like a warranty that will transfer.
The house square footage is about 800 main floor, 500 2d story, and 950 finished basement. I may want to add another 400 ft2 to the 2d story within a couple of years.
I definitely want to replace the piece of elbow duct that connects to the air handler. The cold air drop. This is a curved 90 degree measuring 26x26x20. It is rusted and smelly.
I really don't care about getting the absolute highest efficiency or bearing the associated costs. I am mostly concerned with quality and reliability. We get -30 degree winters here. I do care about the warranty and since I may sell within a couple of years would like a warranty that will transfer.
#6
09-10-19, 07:44 AM
Member
Quality and reliability start with sizing and selecting the proper furnace. Too big and you’ll have problems. Bigger is not better.
Sizing is not done via square footage.
It’s a poor choice to purposely oversize a furnace now for an addition that’s not there. That’s not really how equipment works.
Sizing is not done via square footage.
It’s a poor choice to purposely oversize a furnace now for an addition that’s not there. That’s not really how equipment works.
