Carrier vs. Weather King Furnace

Posted by mrsgator88 on October 22, 2006, 1:47 pm

Hi,

I'm in the final stages of a home addition, and have come to find out that
my contractor installed furnaces different from what the architects plans
called for.

The plans were fininshed in 2004, and the architect called for a pair of
Carrier 58MCA-060, one for the first floor and unfinished basement, and a
second one for the second floor. It seems this specific model is no longer
made.

My builder used Weather King instead. In the basement he installed a 93.5
afue unit (to service the basement and first floor). In the attic he
installed an 80 afue unit. FWIW, the second floor is actually larger than
the first because it sits over a garage. I didn't find anything labelled
"model number" so I don't know the model numbers for the Weather Kings, but
the yellow afue stickers are still on there (with a long set of numbers at
the bottom.) Here are my questions.

I don't know brands, and I've never heard of Weather King before, how does
it compare to Carrier?

What kind of price difference normally exists between "comparable" Carrier
and Weather King models (for the furnace only, not installation, and sized
like the 58MCA-060)? Thanks

S

Posted by Bubba on October 22, 2006, 2:35 pm

wrote:

>Hi,
>I'm in the final stages of a home addition, and have come to find out that
>my contractor installed furnaces different from what the architects plans
>called for.
>The plans were fininshed in 2004, and the architect called for a pair of
>Carrier 58MCA-060, one for the first floor and unfinished basement, and a
>second one for the second floor. It seems this specific model is no longer
>made.
>My builder used Weather King instead. In the basement he installed a 93.5
>afue unit (to service the basement and first floor). In the attic he
>installed an 80 afue unit. FWIW, the second floor is actually larger than
>the first because it sits over a garage. I didn't find anything labelled
>"model number" so I don't know the model numbers for the Weather Kings, but
>the yellow afue stickers are still on there (with a long set of numbers at
>the bottom.) Here are my questions.
>I don't know brands, and I've never heard of Weather King before, how does
>it compare to Carrier?
>What kind of price difference normally exists between "comparable" Carrier
>and Weather King models (for the furnace only, not installation, and sized
>like the 58MCA-060)? Thanks
>S

Why would you install a 93.5% furnace in the basement and let them put
an 80% in the attic? (90%ers condensate and freeze in the attic). You
should have insisted on installing the 80% attic unit in a 90% closet
room on the second floor. MUCH, MUCH easier to be serviced that way.
Weather King is the builder grade of Rheem equipment.
If you want price differences, get a Carrier dealer to quote you a
price. It might cost you for the quote at this point since your
equipment is already installed.
Then start the bargaining process. Depending on how long you stay
there, you might want to insist on a 5 or 10 year parts and labor
contract.

Posted by mrsgator88 on October 22, 2006, 2:51 pm

> Why would you install a 93.5% furnace in the basement and let them put
> an 80% in the attic? (90%ers condensate and freeze in the attic). You
> should have insisted on installing the 80% attic unit in a 90% closet
> room on the second floor. MUCH, MUCH easier to be serviced that way.
> Weather King is the builder grade of Rheem equipment.
> If you want price differences, get a Carrier dealer to quote you a
> price. It might cost you for the quote at this point since your
> equipment is already installed.
> Then start the bargaining process. Depending on how long you stay
> there, you might want to insist on a 5 or 10 year parts and labor
> contract.

The original plan actually was to have the upstairs furnace in a closet, but
we asked our builder if he could put it in the attic so we'd get more floor
space. We've had difficulty with him, so we were shocked when he agreed to
it without a fuss.

We're in the Chicago area, so it does get cold. Are you saying you _can't_
put a 90%er in the attic, or that the attic needs some special outfitting?

I've got the phone number of the sub who installed the furnaces, I think
I'll give him a call and ask for that price difference...

Thanks,

S

Posted by Bubba on October 22, 2006, 7:40 pm

wrote:

>> Why would you install a 93.5% furnace in the basement and let them put
>> an 80% in the attic? (90%ers condensate and freeze in the attic). You
>> should have insisted on installing the 80% attic unit in a 90% closet
>> room on the second floor. MUCH, MUCH easier to be serviced that way.
>> Weather King is the builder grade of Rheem equipment.
>> If you want price differences, get a Carrier dealer to quote you a
>> price. It might cost you for the quote at this point since your
>> equipment is already installed.
>> Then start the bargaining process. Depending on how long you stay
>> there, you might want to insist on a 5 or 10 year parts and labor
>> contract.

>The original plan actually was to have the upstairs furnace in a closet, but
>we asked our builder if he could put it in the attic so we'd get more floor
>space. We've had difficulty with him, so we were shocked when he agreed to
>it without a fuss.

Im sorry to hear that. Most units in attics DONT/WONT get serviced
well. Attics are usually very hot or very cold, no light, poor access
and not real easy for maneuvering in. THEN, whatever it needs you have
to climb back out of the attic and make another trip. The access door
usually gets lots of dirty hand prints on it. Anything below it,
shelves, carpet, etc will always be dirty. Lots of wall scrapes from
all the tools, ladders, boot scuff marks and big ol tech butts going
up and down that attic. Out of sight, out of mind. Consider about 1/2
of its useful live gone as soon as its installed.

>We're in the Chicago area, so it does get cold. Are you saying you _can't_
>put a 90%er in the attic, or that the attic needs some special outfitting?

A 90%er in an attic is usually a bad idea. Its a condensing furnace
(water). Attics can usually get below freezing so the possibility of
the furnace condensate freezing is highly likely. Dont forget about
the A/C attached to it. Done perfectly and you shouldnt have a
problem. Regular maintenance on the coil, pan and drain, having an
auxillary pan with a float switch in the pan under the unit and all
sloped properly help tremendously.

>I've got the phone number of the sub who installed the furnaces, I think
>I'll give him a call and ask for that price difference...
>Thanks,
>S

The sub gets paid by the builder so keep in mind who's toes your
trying to step on. If the builder is my bread and butter.......you
aint getting "jack" from me.
Bubba

Posted by mrsgator88 on October 22, 2006, 9:29 pm

> Im sorry to hear that. Most units in attics DONT/WONT get serviced
> well. Attics are usually very hot or very cold, no light, poor access
> and not real easy for maneuvering in. THEN, whatever it needs you have
> to climb back out of the attic and make another trip. The access door
> usually gets lots of dirty hand prints on it. Anything below it,
> shelves, carpet, etc will always be dirty. Lots of wall scrapes from
> all the tools, ladders, boot scuff marks and big ol tech butts going
> up and down that attic. Out of sight, out of mind. Consider about 1/2
> of its useful live gone as soon as its installed.

Luckily the attic access is in the laundry room. Attic is stick built, so
at least your not banging your head on truss beams. I've seen some pretty
tight installations, at least there's plenty of room to work here. All the
ladder climbing gets old pretty quick though.

> A 90%er in an attic is usually a bad idea. Its a condensing furnace
> (water). Attics can usually get below freezing so the possibility of
> the furnace condensate freezing is highly likely. Dont forget about
> the A/C attached to it. Done perfectly and you shouldnt have a
> problem. Regular maintenance on the coil, pan and drain, having an
> auxillary pan with a float switch in the pan under the unit and all
> sloped properly help tremendously.

What about the A/C attached to it should I remember?

The whole unit does sit on a sloped pan. Didn't notice a float switch.

> The sub gets paid by the builder so keep in mind who's toes your
> trying to step on. If the builder is my bread and butter.......you
> aint getting "jack" from me.

Yeah, normally I'd agree, but this guy has P!$$3D off every sub that's been
here. The HVAC sub can't stand the GC. On another issue he already offered
to "stick it" to the GC if I wanted.

But I think I like Paul's suggestion. I'll give him my number and let him
decide what to do about it. Thanks,

S

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