Replace or repair?

Mr Smiley

We just has the furnace guy out to service our Tempstar high efficenty furnace. Turns out the heat exchanger has lost two eyelets and he is afraid that it may start cracking soon. He recommends we replace it soon. he said that a new Furnace or heat exchanger is in order. We were told a new heat exchanger was going to run $1800 or so. It was installed in 2001, made it through the flood in 2008. Guy said it was a well taken care of. I believe it's a 5ton unit for a 3600 sqft home to include the basement. This will also need a exhaust fan because it's leaking water. this is a gas furnace.

Is this something I can fix? Should I just pony up and get a new one? They carry American standard, carrier and ducane. We know we have to stay at the 90%+efficient or better.

hvactech126

$1800 is a lot for a heat exchanger that should be in part warranty.

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Mr Smiley

I would have expected it to be. They are calling Tempstar and will let me know what they say. But from looking at their site they only offer a 10 year warranty.

hvactech126

probably on parts, but heat exchanger typically have a 20YR warranty.

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Mr Smiley

Okay. Well hopefully well know tomorrow.

ben's plumbing

tempstar 80% eff furnace= 20 yr heat exchanger warranty ..90% eff furnace life time warranty...ben sr

hvactech126

http://icpindexing.toddsit.com/docum...0106101015.pdf

see page 2

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Mr Smiley

That's awesome! So hopefully well know what they will want to install it. I am the second owner of this furnace so I fall in the 20 year category.

And this is a 92 ultra high efficient furnace.

bungalow_steve

what does made it through the flood mean? flood voids the warranty

Mr Smiley

In 2008 the city was flooded. The basement I assume from what I'm told got 4 feet of clear water in it. The furnace was overhauled as I understand it.

ben's plumbing

I believe steve is right...if it was flooded..warranty void...and it should have been replaced by insurance company.....not overhauled...ben sr..sorry I missed that on post..

Doc Holliday

Replace.

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Thanks.

bungalow_steve

ok, so the original warranty is void, but the repair work may have a warranty, usually only a year though, for flooded furnaces they replace everything mechanical or electrical that the water touched (if reputable), even if the parts work, because it's a fire hazard otherwise, you can't predict what future problems may result from a flooded component (safety shutoffs may not work) big liability problem

You also have to understand that original quote they gave you is mostly labor, which the original warranty doesn't cover anyway, for warranty work usually they tack on a service charge and may require other things be replaced too once they open her up

yuri

$1800 sounds like that includes replacing the leaking exhaust fan? Don't know if you have sales tax etc but that may run $2000 with taxes and not worth spending IMO. LIkely has a Honeywell Smartvalve which is not exactly the best unit in the world if you get my drift. $2000 may be close to half the price of a new furnace which will have all new parts and a warranty and is better value for your $$ IMO.

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Mr Smiley

Well with the thought of a new furnace. The company sells American Standard, Ducane, and Carrier. What would be a good recommendation and what could I expect to pay? My house is 101 years old. 1200 sqft on each level for a total of 2400 sqft of living space. I know we need to stay above 90% efficient. There is no return from the second floor to the furnace.