Time for a new furnace. What kind?

[fordmantpw]

You are in a similar boat we were in when we replaced ours. We were quoted $3500 just to replace the aging (undersized) outside unit. That was to keep the unit inside and the LP furnace, which really needed replaced anyway. We ended up going geothermal for a total of < $10k after rebates and 30% tax incentive. It's nice to have that 10 year warranty that came with our WaterFurnace too.

 

[whistlepig]

Our horizontal loop is 50 yards from the house under a pasture. Our geothermal was installed new in 1999 and except for replacing a blower motor has been trouble free so far.

 

[jpm1]

if you have your own wood, don't be so quick to rule the Outside furnace out. As far as i'm concerned, it's the only way i will ever heat. it takes me about 10 minutes a day to maintain mine and most of the time i load it once every 24 hours. We have weeks at a time with severe cold and 40 MPH winds, our outside temps will drop to -30 or colder but our house stays a balmy 78 degrees inside. John

 

[fordmantpw]

if you have your own wood, don't be so quick to rule the Outside furnace out. As far as i'm concerned, it's the only way i will ever heat. it takes me about 10 minutes a day to maintain mine and most of the time i load it once every 24 hours. We have weeks at a time with severe cold and 40 MPH winds, our outside temps will drop to -30 or colder but our house stays a balmy 78 degrees inside. John

Only 10 minutes a day if you don't take into account the time it takes to cut the wood.

Don't get me wrong, I love wood heat! We have a pellet stove in our basement for supplemental heat. It is very little work, it's clean, and it does a great job of heating the basement. We don't need it, but I love it to keep our basement warmer (~75) since our current system isn't zoned (our new home will be).

 

[kenmac]

I have no experience with geo. There's just not that many in my area. It you don't go geo . I like to use heat pump with a 90%+ back up. I sell trane ,but I don't like them nor would I install 1 in my home

 

[whistlepig]

You really have own geothermal to appreciate it. It is remarkably efficient.

 

[fordmantpw]

I have no experience with geo. There's just not that many in my area. It you don't go geo . I like to use heat pump with a 90%+ back up. I sell trane ,but I don't like them nor would I install 1 in my home

Does it make it hard to sell them when you don't like them?

You really have own geothermal to appreciate it. It is remarkably efficient.

Agreed! Don't forget how quiet they are! You can't even tell when ours is running. Not to mention the fact that there is nothing outside humming away either.

 

[whistlepig]

Research geothermal and come up with your own opinion. When you see a furnace advertised as 99.9% efficient realize that geothermal is 300% efficient on the same scale.

 

[BethelHntr]

We have a Trane now, I haven't had a tech yet say anything good about Trane.

Interesting, I have installed many of trane furnaces and can honestly say I have had zero problems, But many with lesser brands.

 

[windy acers]

HAD A 3 TON TRANE FURNACE/ HEAT PUMP INSTALLED 3 YEARS A GO.NO PROBLEMS.