sizing choice on system upgrade

beenthere

Look at your old furnaces CFM rating at statics/ESPs above .5".

Again, improve the homes insulation and seal it better. this will save you money in both heating and cooling season every year, year after year. A larger furnace just uses more fuel, and cost you more money year after year.

raylo32

The Bryant manual only has the single topline numbers for "certified conditions" between .15 and .5 so no way for me to check that. I might try to borrow a manometer and see what my actuals are. That would be interesting.

Not much to seal here. House is pretty modern. I guess I could put a storm door on the windward exterior door. Almost impossible to do anything in the attic with cathedral ceilings. Only an 8x8 area is accessible. Not sure what R-value the flex ducts up there are but replacing them would cost way more than any savings.

beenthere

Any switches or receps on outside walls? Also the ones on inside walls sometimes leak a lot also, if the holes in the plates at the attic and basement/crawlspace aren't sealed.If so, seal them. How about worn door seals?

raylo32

Yup, door seals could use replaced. Or just add a storm door on the windward door that is the main front entrance. The south side leeward doors (2) aren't so critical. The attic is impossible. I have cathedral ceilings so no way to get anywhere but an 8'x8' "attic" in the center of the house. Otherwise need a spry midget with a light and dust mask to try to crawl in the rafters up to the wall plates..... or rip out ceiling drywall. Not gonna happen!

beenthere

Any sealing you can do, will help greatly. Also helps keep the indoor humidity up in the winter.