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New furnace

H

hoopsnut

New Member
Jun 13, 2007
13
0
1
Dawson, IA
I'm thinking about having a new furnace installed and was wondering if any of you guys or gals have been through this process lately.

I am looking for a reputable installer and high efficiency model furnace.

Also, what can I expect to pay these days?

TIA
 
I got std efficiency in prep for a future heat pump (something you should consider) and it was about 3200. A HE will be more obviously!
 
Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency : ENERGY STAR

Just as it was in 2006 & 2007, new furnaces are usable for the 2009 & 2010 energy tax credit. Just make sure that your new furnace is a high efficiency model.

I put in a new furnace and AC in 2007 and ran the numbers - the difference in cost between a "standard" model and the high efficiency model was less than the tax credit.
 
Get several bids, cost will depend on the size of house and your system. You may also want to look at doing the air conditioner at the same time for package pricing.

I have used both Citywide and Morrell for new furnace/air at our house.

Happy with both.

Might be looking at $3-5,000 on a high efficiency.
 
Definitely get multiple bids in there. I had central air put in our last house (had no AC when we bought it) and was shocked at price differences between companies. More than one was double what a few other reputable contractors wanted.
 
Did HVAC for a good 5 years. You have a lot of choices and your best bet is to have a sales person come in and walk you through off your choices. There are 90% efficient furnaces and even a 100% (electric) furnaces. One thing I wouldn't do is take the cheapiest prices for a furnace but the best company. We had to go back on a lot of installs from other companies because of "short cuts" they would make.

My favorite units are 90% furnaces. Here is why:

1. It has a fresh air intake. Meaning, they will run a PVC from outside to inside straight to your furnace where your furnace will use that air to burn. The exhaust will also be ran out with PVC and not the big old flue your use to seeing. That PVC will only be warm to touch instead of untouchable because of how hot it is.

2. The 90% furnace has a thinner heat exchanger (combustion chamber) and also is stretched a little longer because they want more air to pass through it. That way more heat is being picked up and distributed throught your house. (That's why the flue wont be as hot as the old sheet metal flue, its using more heat and not venting out as much heat to keep the birds warm)

3. With the heat exchanger being stretched and thinner, the fan is able to pick up more heat and distribute it throught the house which means that the heat exchanger isn't over heating. That means there is a lot less chance of cracks occuring due to the stress of over heating. No cracks = no CO2 in your house.

4. Your 90% or even 80% furnaces only stays at that efficiency with yearly maintenance. Your gas pressure at the gas valve will change over the months. The dirt in your burners will cause your flame to burn a bit hotter/dirtier.

5. Stay with pleated filters. The better the filter, the less dirt that is going to you A-Coil which will cause air flow problems and lessen your efficiency.

any question, just ask. I just gave you a book :yes:
 
The Carrier and Bryant brands are currently running rebate programs. You can receive up to $1,200 back for installing a system. As mentioned you can also get the Federal Tax Credit for qualifying high efficiency systems. It is 30% of the installation price capped at $1,500. If you install a Geothermal system there is no cap on the tax credit.

Most utilities in Iowa will also give you a rebate for installing a Heat Pump.

My recommendation is to call your local Carrier or Bryant dealer to inquire about the rebate, tax credit, and utility rebates for installing a hybrid heat system - Heat Pump paired with a Gas Furnace.
 
I got a high efficiency Trane AC and Furnace from Bell Brothers a couple years ago it was around $5000 before the tax credits and rebates from MidAmerican. I very happy with the service and products. Schall in Des Moines is good too and comparable bid with Carrier products.
 
We just had a new furnace/ac installed in February. It was sorely needed, as the one that was here when we moved in was installed when the house was built - the 1960's.

We had Wyckoff install ours, and I think the total bill came to around 4500.00 dollars or so, with a 425.00 rebate from MidAmerican. Both of our units are 98% efficiency, and vent out the side of the house (right next to the dryer vent, actually) as mentioned above.

One thing you might want to consider is getting your vents cleaned if it's never been done, or hasn't been done in awhile. Wyckoff charged us 325.00 for it, but to me it was worth it because the dust in the house is nowhere near as bad as it was before.

Just do your homework, get 4 or 5 estimates/bids, and go from there.
 
I had to put in a new furnace last year. The salesman said that a heat pump wouldn't be worth the extra cost for a house like mine. (small)
We went with a 92% efficiency. It was great this winter.

I'm kinda pissed about the tax credit. The one year they didn't do it was the one year I needed it.
 
You may want to consider a whole house humidifier to be installed while its easy to access the sheet metal. I have seen the flow through type that are installed initially in return, in series w/ the filter.

Otherwise you have to install a bypass type (takes a portion of heated air recirculates back to return) or blower powered type later(extra electric motor). I just installed a bypass type sized for 3000 sq ft.
 
I got a high efficiency American Standard from Neighbors just over a year ago. I don't remember exactly at the moment, but it was 96-97% efficient. My advice would be to call around and get several quotes.

I'm in the same boat as MNclone, I got mine about 2 weeks into 2008 so I don't get the tax credit.
 
Something that I think you should look into is geothermal heating and cooling. Efficiency for geothermal heat pumps range from 300% to 600%.
Also, a new tax credit is now available for people who install geothermal heating and cooling systems. A onetime tax credit of 30% of the total investment for homeowners who install residential ground loop or ground water geothermal heat pumps.

Tax Incentives Assistance Project: Consumer Tax Incentives
 
I've had good experiences with Green's. Definitely look into a humidifier too. There are other add-ons that might be worthwhile.
 
If you install a Geothermal system there is no cap on the tax credit.
Geothermal is the only way to go and buy a good brand. I can give you 50 refs if you need them.
 
Geo vs. Standard heat pump
For a 2500 sq ft house with standard efficiency heat pump will cost $2508 while a geothermal heat pump will cost about $1300 based on $.08 per kwh. Geothermal can also supply hot water.
 
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