reasons for higher repair costs of high-efficiency furnaces ?

Posted by on February 20, 2008, 2:53 pm

This group of experts and Consumer Reports agree that
high-efficiency gas furnaces are more expensive to maintain.

Are the additional repair calls a result of:
(A) poor design by the manufacturers, or
(B) poor installations by contractors, or
(C) incompetence of repair techs?

Thanks,
H.K.

Posted by on February 20, 2008, 3:28 pm

> >This group of experts and Consumer Reports agree that
> >high-efficiency gas furnaces are more expensive to maintain.
> >Are the additional repair calls a result of:
> >(A) poor design by the manufacturers, or
> >(B) poor installations by contractors, or
> >(C) incompetence of repair techs?

I'd like to add (D) Could be A-B-C but the real problem is that
thehomeowner is not maintaining the equipment and changing or cleaning
filters as per owner's manual guidelines.

Well, the cost of maintenance isn't more expensive, it is the cost of
repair. If maintained properly, this cost is offset.

There are simply more moving parts that are more advanced. With
technology comes greatly greater responsibility. The circuit boards
themselves liken to a computer motherboard but the relays and chips
are not changeable as they are on some motherboards. The variable
speed motor provides great efficiency but they themselves are
expensive...but they should last a long time if regular maintenance of
furnace is performed, and that furnace is of proper size and
application and the company who installed them actually reads the
installation and set up instructions. The gas valves are now two
staged.

In short, yes, if you have a problem, they cost more. They take more
time to troubleshoot and the parts are more expensive to their counter
part in an 80% furnace...because they are more advanced. Yes, some
manufactures have poor design, but that is designs for servicing not
life and performance of the unit (I swear some of these manufactures
install razor blades in there).

If proper application, properly sized, properly installed and
maintained, the energy savings will offset your repairs.

Posted by Sid on February 21, 2008, 8:29 am

> All of above, particularly (C). When my furnace broke down within 6
> months after install, so called furnace tech. didn't have a clue.

You got exactly what you were willing to pay for.
Or do you always buy high ticket services/ items with no research?

Posted by Sid on February 21, 2008, 8:39 am

> I just hired in another employee personal but i decided long ago not my gig
> to become filthy rich ask Paul at 11,000 acres ( in Wa. ) thinking I have
> enough
>
> He's a good kid younger than I like at age 20..an ex gang bangerkindof a
> tough guy.
>
> Give a man a fish
>
> Teach a man to fish
>
> But when presented with a young man whom is currently in trouble with the
> law and now teach him how to build and operate a fish farm that eventually
> refuses to sell to wal-mart
>
> As you can see, your below means almost nothing to me.
>
> Have a nice day Don

You gonna sing "We are the world" now?

Posted by Sid on February 21, 2008, 8:46 am

> Hi,
> Honda, Toyota? My family owns 4 Japanese vehicles, some built in U.S.A.
> some in Japan. They just don't incur repair cost other than normal wear
> items; tires, brake pads, etc. My Honda CRV brake lasted more that 120K
> miles. Been a long while since I looked at any big 3's products. May
> neber drive one of them again.

Change the oil ever? Have the brakes looked at? Higher cost for that
maintenance?
Some people people "don't believe in maintenance". Personally I like
these guys.
They stimulate the economy by wearing their stuff out faster.

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