[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.

 

[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.

 

[Mr Smiley]

Okay. Well hopefully well know tomorrow.

 

[ben's plumbing]

Okay. Well hopefully well know tomorrow.

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

 

[hvactech126]

http://icpindexing.toddsit.com/documents/109625/40106101015.pdf

see page 2

 

[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.

 

[joepierson]

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]

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.

I believe steve is right...if it was flooded..warranty void...and it should have been replaced by insurance company.....not overhauled...ben sr..sorry I missed that on post..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

 

[joepierson]

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.

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.

 

[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.

 

[yuri]

They are all 3 the same quality and good brands. Ducane is a Lennox clone and the same as their regular units. Depends on what features you would like, 1 stage 2 stage, 3 stage or modulating, energy saving ecm motor etc etc. Need to get their salesperson down to explain all that 2 U. Then come back here if you need more explanations.

 

[Mr Smiley]

Well. Here are the quotes from the HVAC company we use to replace the furnace.
OPTION A: DUCANE 90% FURNACE $ 2,509.00 excl. tax for new furnace
OPTION B: DUCANE 95% FURNACE $ 2,799.00 excl. tax for new furnace OPTION C: Trane/American Standard 90% FURNACE $ 2,989.00 excl. tax for new furnace OPTION D: Trane/American Standard 95% FURNACE $ 3,379.00 excl. tax for new furnace
OPTION E: Trane/American Standard 95% MODULATING FURNACE $ 4,622.00 excl. tax for new furnace

I'm leaning toward options B and D. I know nothing of Ducane. And everything you hear about Trane is good. I plan to ask this company for the model numbers of the furnaces they plan to use.

 

[hvactech126]

Glad you are asking about the model numbers! There is more than 1 model of Trane 95%.

 

[yuri]

Ducane is owned and made by Lennox just rebranded. Trane is very good but I find the parts very expensive but if they don`t break down a lot which they don`t then you don`t need to buy parts.:yes:

 

[jagans]

Flood?

I would replace the furnace. It does not make sense to spend a lot of money on labor to dissassemble/ reassemble. At the end of the day you have a new HE, but you still have the old other parts that could fail any time. If the HHE warranty covered labor it might be a different story, but I am sure it dosen't cover flood damage.

As we used to say about worn out cars, "Jack up the radiator cap and drive a new car under it."