HVAC Question

Posted by Jeffy3 on November 2, 2009, 11:41 am

Had an estimate from SEARS for a new gas furnace / central air the
other night. Sales guy recommended a humidifier system and an electro-
something filter system that allegedly removes all kinds of pollens
and microbes that a normal replaceable cardboard filter will not .
Each was around $600. Are these ad-ons gimmicks?

Posted by Jim Elbrecht on November 2, 2009, 12:12 pm

>Had an estimate from SEARS for a new gas furnace / central air the
>other night. Sales guy recommended a humidifier system and an

How handy are you? $600 for a humidifier sounds a little high. I
like my Aprilaire 600A for $200 and a few hours to install.
http://www.filterace.com/detail.aspx?ID=737

> electro-
>something filter system that allegedly removes all kinds of pollens
>and microbes that a normal replaceable cardboard filter will not .

I'm not familiar with the electronic ones- but Boair 5-stage seems to
be what all the allergy forums were raving about. $75 for a slide in
filter- I got two so I can clean one and have it drying for a couple
weeks before swapping them again;
http://www.riteair.com/p-13-boair-5-stage.aspx

>Each was around $600. Are these ad-ons gimmicks?

Neither is IMO. I've had hot air heat in the great northeast for 60
years or so. I've used a Boair type filter for the past 15 yrs &
think they trap *way* more than the regular throwaways.

The humidifier was an addition I put in last year-- Wow! what a
difference.

Jim

Posted by mdauria on November 2, 2009, 12:13 pm

> Had an estimate from SEARS for a new gas furnace / central air the
> other night. =A0Sales guy recommended a humidifier system and an electro-
> something filter system that allegedly removes all kinds of pollens
> and microbes that a normal replaceable cardboard filter will not .
> Each was around $600. =A0Are these ad-ons gimmicks?

In my house the humdifier makes a big difference. The house was built
in 2002 and we bought it in 2006. All the rooms have carpets. First
winter in the house I was getting static shocks from everything, then
I figured out the water line going to the humidifer was clogged. Once
I unclogged the line, the static shocks went away. I think it probably
depends on the age of the house, ours is new so its really well sealed.

Posted by Jeffy3 on November 2, 2009, 2:07 pm

> > Had an estimate from SEARS for a new gas furnace / central air the
> > other night. =A0Sales guy recommended a humidifier system and an electr=

> > something filter system that allegedly removes all kinds of pollens
> > and microbes that a normal replaceable cardboard filter will not .
> > Each was around $600. =A0Are these ad-ons gimmicks?

> In my house the humdifier makes a big difference. The house was built
> in 2002 and we bought it in 2006. All the rooms have carpets. First
> winter in the house I was getting static shocks from everything, then
> I figured out the water line going to the humidifer was clogged. Once
> I unclogged the line, the static shocks went away. I think it probably
> depends on the age of the house, ours is new so its really well sealed.

I don't believe humidity is a problem in our house. (I am the original
poster). But my wife does . Our house is far from well-sealed so I
don't want to spend extra money on something that will end up outside!

Posted by jamesgangnc on November 2, 2009, 2:35 pm

> > > Had an estimate from SEARS for a new gas furnace / central air the
> > > other night. =A0Sales guy recommended a humidifier system and an elec=

tro-

> > > something filter system that allegedly removes all kinds of pollens
> > > and microbes that a normal replaceable cardboard filter will not .
> > > Each was around $600. =A0Are these ad-ons gimmicks?

> > In my house the humdifier makes a big difference. The house was built
> > in 2002 and we bought it in 2006. All the rooms have carpets. First
> > winter in the house I was getting static shocks from everything, then
> > I figured out the water line going to the humidifer was clogged. Once
> > I unclogged the line, the static shocks went away. I think it probably
> > depends on the age of the house, ours is new so its really well sealed.

> I don't believe humidity is a problem in our house. (I am the original
> poster). But my wife does . Our house is far from well-sealed so I
> don't want to spend extra money on something that will end up outside!

You really should get more estimates. Sears does none of this work,
they simply farm it out to local hvac contractors. Cal some others,
give them the equipment list without the price, ask for a quote for
that or comparable equipment.

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