Anyone purchase a new furnace air conditioner lately? Need advice

[newsliner1]

We just turned on our furnace and it is not working. my husband thinks the motor is broken. the furnace is 20 years old and our air conditioner even older. it has not worked in the last 5 years. so we are in need of a new furnace/ air conditoner unit. has any one purchased one lately? any advice?? any one have a heat pump??

 

[CTdiznymom]

We just had to replace our central ac unit. It was leaking into our furnace and rusting out the pan. We put in our furnace over 20 years ago and it is still running great. Everytime a service man comes to clean it we are told it is the cadilac of furnaces and we made a wise choice. Its a Thermopride. I really don't know what advice I can give you about the AC except to shop around. Don't get one bigger than your house needs. We got 3 prices and decided to go with a friend of a family member that does work on the side. Gave us an excellent price and we are more than happy. Ask around - you might get lucky and get a referal.

 

[dyna]

We got a new top of the line Lenox about 18 months ago it was expensive not only did I get a special allergen filter but mine has a UV light in it that I love it removes just about every bit of dust in the air I used to have to dust at least once a week now it's more like once a month because there is nothing there to dust. We also have a built in humidifier with it that we use when using the heat.

The humidifier is not actually attached to the furnace but is connected to it. My furnace is in laundry room there is a wall between funace an washing machine an had to be mounted on wall above washer it connects to the washer water valve an pipe runs thru wall to furnace.

$10,000 the fancy filter was like 500.00 and the humidifier was another 350.00 that included the warranty on furnace I can't remember how long an like 10 yrs of service calls.

We have been so happy with it. Our electric bill dropped noticeably even with the 100+ temps we had this summer an more than 85 days in the 90's electric bill was cheaper yet we was cooling house cooler than with our old unit.

 

[Pigeon]

Just had a new furnace and central air installed today. We got a humidifier and the fancy filter.

Get several estimates. Ours ranged from about 6K to a staggering $14K for very similar equipment and installation.

 

[bored]

Just put a new Heat Pump/Gas Furnace Hybrid System in May. They did all new duct work as well. Cost me $7200 - $1500 (Tax Credit) = $5700.00!

 

[teslaaunt]

Ok...there are things that you should be aware of. You have an excellent opportunity to get high efficiency equipment installed and at a good price. The Federal Gov. is still offering up to a $1,500.00 Federal Income Tax Credit through the end of the year. Also most manufacturers are offering pretty good rebates, not to mention your utility companies should be too. There is a lot of money to be saved right now if you buy. I would also recommend only dealing with companies in good standing with the BBB, and getting references from friends is always good. Realize that dealing with someone who does it on the side saves you money now, but they are not authorized to do warranty repairs if need be later. You have to be licensed and bonded in order to deal with Manufacturers and warranty claims. (at least in my state). That brings me to warranties....I highly recommend purchasing the extended warranty, which should add around $300-500 to the purchase price. This will cover all labor charges related to repairs for the next 5-10 years (whichever you buy). The standard labor warranty on new installations is 1 year. After that first year you will be responsible for all labor charges (which is $79.00 hr. here and we're cheap). The extended warranty will pay for itself and you will not have to worry about anything. Im not sure if I have helped or not, but I hope so. I wish you luck whatever you decide to do.

 

[DawnM]

Get several quotes.

We have replaced BOTH of our heat pump units in the last two years.

We did get rebates and once we let it be known we were shopping around we got better rates offered.

Oh, and we also paid cash.....that helped with them offering more deals too.

Dawn

 

[teslaaunt]

I forgot to add that you are in a position of power here. They want your business and will negotiate (at least most will). Get them to throw in a maintenence agreement so they will come out and service and clean it at no cost to you, this is the only thing that an extended warranty will not cover.

 

[mischief32]

We replaced our furnance last year for $3500. We we asked about getting one that qualified for the tax credit price went up $3000. This was not worth it for us for a $1500 tax credit. The we had problems with a rusted part of our air condition. A friend recommend someone who could do metal fabication and he replaced the rusted part for $300. WE will need a new air condition system in about 3y maybe but $300 was better then the $4000 to replace the aircondition also.

 

[newsliner1]

Thank you everyone for the replys. we are now debating getting a hybrid heat pump. we live in pittsburgh pa so it does get cold here. our friends just got a hybrid furnace with the heat pump and really like it. anyone know anything about hybrid heat??? this is so confusing.

 

[Muushka]

We have the heat pump along with dual fuel. The heat pump is great, very economical, but we are here in NC, not so sure about PA. My understanding is that the heat pump is like AC run backwards (putting the heat back into the house instead of to the outside in the summer).

We also have gas heat for when the pump won't keep up with the cold. We are glad we got this combo. Good luck!

PS my only tiny complaint about the heat pump is that when it comes on it is chilly until it gets warmer, not like gas heat.

 

[newsliner1]

wow the estimates we are getting are crazy. just yesterday i had 2 guys come out and price the same exact air conditoner and furnace. one wanted $6800 the $12000 what a difference in price. this is so confusing. any one else with advice??