Furnaces with AFUE of over 90 percent: variable speed motors

Posted by Doe John on November 1, 2006, 3:14 pm

I am looking to replace a 30+ year old furnace,made by Chrysler, which
has finally died. RIP. The first hvac representative that I talked to
stated he doesn't install 90 percent+ units because they break down
too much. Thus the savings in energy costs are wiped out by costs is
repairs. Is he correct? The furnace was Rheems(100k btu), which has a
20 warranty on the heat exchanger and a 5 year limited warranty on
parts. I 'll be talking to a Carrier rep tomorrow.

Are the variable speed(2-speed)motors at risk for breaking down more
than the one speed variety? Are they really more energy efficient?

And are those UV lamps worthwhile?

Finally, does anyone have experience with Home Depot or Sears. Home
Depot installs Trane and Sears installs Carriers. I obtained my list
of potential contractors through the BBB, and narrowed down the list
to ones who were members of the BBB and didn't have any complaints in
the past 36 months. I assume Home Depot subcontracts and Sears has
their own guys do the work.

Thanks

Posted by Doe John on November 1, 2006, 3:17 pm

Also, my current unit may have at most been 50 percent efficient. I'm
being very generous. I'm basing this on the lack of veritcal height on
the burning gas in the furnace.

Posted by Noon-Air on November 1, 2006, 4:03 pm

I have been a Rheem dealer for 10 years and have never had a problem with
the high efficiency furnaces. The only problems my customers have had were
on builder grade furnaces that were installed by the lowest bidder.

>I am looking to replace a 30+ year old furnace,made by Chrysler, which
> has finally died. RIP. The first hvac representative that I talked to
> stated he doesn't install 90 percent+ units because they break down
> too much. Thus the savings in energy costs are wiped out by costs is
> repairs. Is he correct? The furnace was Rheems(100k btu), which has a
> 20 warranty on the heat exchanger and a 5 year limited warranty on
> parts. I 'll be talking to a Carrier rep tomorrow.
> Are the variable speed(2-speed)motors at risk for breaking down more
> than the one speed variety? Are they really more energy efficient?
> And are those UV lamps worthwhile?
> Finally, does anyone have experience with Home Depot or Sears. Home
> Depot installs Trane and Sears installs Carriers. I obtained my list
> of potential contractors through the BBB, and narrowed down the list
> to ones who were members of the BBB and didn't have any complaints in
> the past 36 months. I assume Home Depot subcontracts and Sears has
> their own guys do the work.
> Thanks

Posted by Bubba on November 1, 2006, 4:53 pm

wrote:

>I am looking to replace a 30+ year old furnace,made by Chrysler, which
>has finally died. RIP. The first hvac representative that I talked to
>stated he doesn't install 90 percent+ units because they break down
>too much. Thus the savings in energy costs are wiped out by costs is
>repairs. Is he correct? The furnace was Rheems(100k btu), which has a
>20 warranty on the heat exchanger and a 5 year limited warranty on
>parts. I 'll be talking to a Carrier rep tomorrow.
>Are the variable speed(2-speed)motors at risk for breaking down more
>than the one speed variety? Are they really more energy efficient?
>And are those UV lamps worthwhile?
>Finally, does anyone have experience with Home Depot or Sears. Home
>Depot installs Trane and Sears installs Carriers. I obtained my list
>of potential contractors through the BBB, and narrowed down the list
>to ones who were members of the BBB and didn't have any complaints in
>the past 36 months. I assume Home Depot subcontracts and Sears has
>their own guys do the work.
>Thanks

90% eff furnace probably have a couple more parts. Prob no more
repairs than an 80% eff furnace. Sounds like someone was handing you a
line. Id guess you may have an installation where running the PVC
intake and exhaust pipes might be just a bit difficult. Id prob look
for someone else to use. That one sounds lazy.
Whatever you get ask for a 5 or 10 yr parts AND LABOR warranty.
That'll cover your breakdowns if they happen.
The var spd motors and the muti-speed standard motors probably have
the same life span. Its just the var spd motor is a lot more expensive
to replace. Energywise is worth the extra cost? Probably over 10 yrs
it is but Id be buying the var spd for comfort........not electricity
savings.
UV lights worthwhile? Define worthwhile. UV lights are an indoor air
quality product. They perform a certain task. NOTHING cures all your
indoor air quality problems and makes your allergies disappear.
Home Depot and Sears? Both contract out your work. Why go there when
you can go straight to the horses mouth by chosing your own
professional hvac company?
Dont put all your eggs in one basket over the fact that the BBB has
"Members". All that means is that company has paid the BBB a fee and
says they will follow some sort of BBB rules. Id rather pick someone
that has an unbiased opinion than a company (BBB) that has "members"
pay them a fee to be in their "buddy-buddy" group.
Find friends, neighbors, relatives and co-workers that have a hvac
company they are happy with.
There, you have now been blessed with all the information you should
ever need. Feel free to fill my Pay-Pal account till it "runnith-over"
Bubba :-)

Posted by =?iso-8859-15?Q?Tekkie=AE?= on November 1, 2006, 9:41 pm

Doe John posted for all of us...

>
> I am looking to replace a 30+ year old furnace
>

Did a LOT of research didn't you? what a putz!

Your name should be Doe Jane and your welcome.
--
Tekkie Don't bother to thank me, I do this as a public service.

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