I posted a month or so back when my gas furnace went kaput due to a crossover tube that was snapped in two. I checked with York and several online parts dealers and they confirmed what the service company said: the part was out of stock and obsolete/no longer produced.
I had it welded back together and then reinstalled it and the furnace is now working, but with it being 23 years old and me not wanting to go through this ordeal when the next part breaks, I've gotten estimates for a new furnace to be installed. I considered heavily going DIY but it's not a good option given me/my situation. While I'm handy, I'm just not comfortable going that route.
I've received too many estimates, but there were a couple that seemed so out of the park price-wise/goofy salesman types that I just disregarded them outright.
I'm in the Philadelphia, PA suburbs. 2300 sq ft house - 2 floor colonial.
Existing furnace is 96k BTU, single stage York, 80% efficiency.
Here are the estimates I've received (all are 'complete' prices including new chimney liner for gas hot water heater, new return drop, condensate pump, thermostat, etc.):
Contractor A:
Bryant 80,000 BTU, 96% 2-Stage with an X-13 High Efficient Motor (Model # 925TA048080S17)
$4600
Contractor B:
Bryant 100,000 BTU, 95% 2-Stage "with high efficiency ECM blower motor" (Model # 925TA48100E21)
$4700
** Note that both estimates are for Bryant Model 925T. What do the remaining numbers mean? Bryant's website only shows the 925T designation/model, so I'm assuming these are both the same furnace, only the additional numbers are due to the BTU difference?
Contractor C:
System 1: Carrier Comfort Series, single stage burner, standard fan 92% (Model #59SC2A100)
$3748
System 2:
Carrier 59TP5A100E21
2 stage burner
96.7% AFUE
single speed blower
$5420.00
System #3:
Carrier 59TN6A100V21
2 stage burner
96.7% AFUE
Variable speed blower
$5907.00
I am waiting on one more contractor - a father & son company (they live just a few blocks from me). They came out the other day and they were the ones who installed the existing furnace in the house. I expect to get an estimate from them within the next few days. They didn't really say much aside from reminiscing about the family that lived in my house before and when they installed the existing furnace back in 1989 : ) They seemed a little goofy and have a reputation for being a little gruff, but they're right nearby so if I needed service that would be a big plus. And the furnace they installed lasted 23 years so I am very interested to see what they come back with in terms of equipment/price.
Question #1:
The two contractors proposing a Bryant 925T furnace are differing in their BTU calc. One came in insisting that a 2-stage 80k BTU is the way to go, and then did his measurements and said he would confirm it when he inputted the measurements into the computer and let me know. A few days later I received the estimate for the 80k BTU. The other Bryant company came in, did his measurements, said he would input into the computer, and then estimated a 100k BTU 2-stage furnace. Why the difference? Unfortunately the other guys all said they would measure and do the calc *after* a commitment is made. They said basically that they estimate high (100k BTU) and then drop some if the actual BTU calc is lower.
I'm most comfortable with both of the Bryant estimates in terms of price and the guys that I spoke with. Problem is, they have the 20k BTU difference in size recommendation. Is that a major concern one way or the other? My existing 96k single stage furnace heats the house VERY quickly. For example, when it broke and was off for a day, the house temp dropped down to 61 degrees. When it was turned back on, it had the temp back up to 71 degrees in less than 10 or 15 minutes. So I'm leaning towards the 80k BTU being more appropriate, but with a 2-stage system does it really matter?
Question #2:
I really don't have the cash right now to get a matched air conditioner installed with the furnace. I *could* finance it but would like to wait if it makes sense. I've heard varying opinions: one contractor keeps telling me that I should go ahead and replace both. Others have said that the air conditioner, which is about 10 years old, should have another 3 to 5 years of good life left in it and that it would be a waste of money to replace it now/early. I see benefit in replacing it now but due to the cash situation I'd rather not. Is that a mistake? I realize it will likely be another $500 to $1000 extra when I have them replace it in 3 to 5 years, but that's acceptable to me. I replaced the condenser fan motor this past Spring, along with the capacitor, so I think it's probably in good shape for at least a few more years.
Thanks in advance for any advice, and sorry for the long detailed post, but I figure more info is better : )
I had it welded back together and then reinstalled it and the furnace is now working, but with it being 23 years old and me not wanting to go through this ordeal when the next part breaks, I've gotten estimates for a new furnace to be installed. I considered heavily going DIY but it's not a good option given me/my situation. While I'm handy, I'm just not comfortable going that route.
I've received too many estimates, but there were a couple that seemed so out of the park price-wise/goofy salesman types that I just disregarded them outright.
I'm in the Philadelphia, PA suburbs. 2300 sq ft house - 2 floor colonial.
Existing furnace is 96k BTU, single stage York, 80% efficiency.
Here are the estimates I've received (all are 'complete' prices including new chimney liner for gas hot water heater, new return drop, condensate pump, thermostat, etc.):
Contractor A:
Bryant 80,000 BTU, 96% 2-Stage with an X-13 High Efficient Motor (Model # 925TA048080S17)
$4600
Contractor B:
Bryant 100,000 BTU, 95% 2-Stage "with high efficiency ECM blower motor" (Model # 925TA48100E21)
$4700
** Note that both estimates are for Bryant Model 925T. What do the remaining numbers mean? Bryant's website only shows the 925T designation/model, so I'm assuming these are both the same furnace, only the additional numbers are due to the BTU difference?
Contractor C:
System 1: Carrier Comfort Series, single stage burner, standard fan 92% (Model #59SC2A100)
$3748
System 2:
Carrier 59TP5A100E21
2 stage burner
96.7% AFUE
single speed blower
$5420.00
System #3:
Carrier 59TN6A100V21
2 stage burner
96.7% AFUE
Variable speed blower
$5907.00
I am waiting on one more contractor - a father & son company (they live just a few blocks from me). They came out the other day and they were the ones who installed the existing furnace in the house. I expect to get an estimate from them within the next few days. They didn't really say much aside from reminiscing about the family that lived in my house before and when they installed the existing furnace back in 1989 : ) They seemed a little goofy and have a reputation for being a little gruff, but they're right nearby so if I needed service that would be a big plus. And the furnace they installed lasted 23 years so I am very interested to see what they come back with in terms of equipment/price.
Question #1:
The two contractors proposing a Bryant 925T furnace are differing in their BTU calc. One came in insisting that a 2-stage 80k BTU is the way to go, and then did his measurements and said he would confirm it when he inputted the measurements into the computer and let me know. A few days later I received the estimate for the 80k BTU. The other Bryant company came in, did his measurements, said he would input into the computer, and then estimated a 100k BTU 2-stage furnace. Why the difference? Unfortunately the other guys all said they would measure and do the calc *after* a commitment is made. They said basically that they estimate high (100k BTU) and then drop some if the actual BTU calc is lower.
I'm most comfortable with both of the Bryant estimates in terms of price and the guys that I spoke with. Problem is, they have the 20k BTU difference in size recommendation. Is that a major concern one way or the other? My existing 96k single stage furnace heats the house VERY quickly. For example, when it broke and was off for a day, the house temp dropped down to 61 degrees. When it was turned back on, it had the temp back up to 71 degrees in less than 10 or 15 minutes. So I'm leaning towards the 80k BTU being more appropriate, but with a 2-stage system does it really matter?
Question #2:
I really don't have the cash right now to get a matched air conditioner installed with the furnace. I *could* finance it but would like to wait if it makes sense. I've heard varying opinions: one contractor keeps telling me that I should go ahead and replace both. Others have said that the air conditioner, which is about 10 years old, should have another 3 to 5 years of good life left in it and that it would be a waste of money to replace it now/early. I see benefit in replacing it now but due to the cash situation I'd rather not. Is that a mistake? I realize it will likely be another $500 to $1000 extra when I have them replace it in 3 to 5 years, but that's acceptable to me. I replaced the condenser fan motor this past Spring, along with the capacitor, so I think it's probably in good shape for at least a few more years.
Thanks in advance for any advice, and sorry for the long detailed post, but I figure more info is better : )