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04/23/2007 06:08:49 PM · #1 |
I need a new AC and maybe a furnace. It's a heck of a lot of money, since we have two central AC units due to the weird design and additions on this house.
Anyone here that can offer advice if I gave specifics? There's a lot of things to chew on (e.g., Freon/Puron) and I am not sure whether I should replace my very old forced air furnace at the same time since the AC is partly integrated there (our energy bills are quite high). |
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04/23/2007 06:12:15 PM · #2 |
 JawnyRico works in that field. |
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04/23/2007 06:16:36 PM · #3 |
something I've been starting to look into and consider is geothermal heating / cooling
I'm not sure what kind of space you have but it might be something to consider. |
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04/23/2007 07:08:58 PM · #4 |
 kje83's Dad is an HVAC dude who owns his own business, and takes care of my HVAC system, he's an awesome guy, and you can ask him a question here at Ask The Tech.
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04/23/2007 07:12:03 PM · #5 |
three words:
whole house humidifier.
i can't wait until my furnace kicks it so that i can get one of these. winters kill my nasal membranes. :)
otherwise, good luck! |
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04/23/2007 07:17:05 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by muckpond:
three words:
whole house humidifier. |
Now if you said whole house dehumidifier I'd be with you. Humidity is one of the few disadvantages to living in this part of the Bay Area. |
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04/23/2007 08:01:15 PM · #7 |
We looked into Geothermal. My heating bills run very high--I thought I could really save. So last year I got an estimate: $34000!!
We don't have a pond or anything here, which would have made it cheaper. If it were $20000 I'd consider it, in the long run it would be worth it, given the price of natural gas, but $34000!!!!!!
As it is, it may cost me $12000-15000 to replace my two AC units and my furnace. (So $20K would not be much worse.)
That's really one of my questions: does it pay to just replace my furnace? It's not broken, but it's old enough that it's probably not efficient compared to a new ones. And as I understood it, putting in a new furnace will make the AC work better, since they are somewhat "integrated". (Both of my AC's are broken.)
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04/23/2007 08:27:47 PM · #8 |
Was $34K for a closed or open loop system? Get another estimate for a different type of system or simply from another contractor. I've had estimates vary wildly for major projects.
Message edited by author 2007-04-23 20:34:25. |
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04/24/2007 11:09:15 AM · #9 |
Originally posted by Spazmo99:
Was $34K for a closed or open loop system? Get another estimate for a different type of system or simply from another contractor. I've had estimates vary wildly for major projects. |
It was closed loop. There don't seem to be a lot of contracters doing this here, for some reason. (At least last year: I need to reevaluate for this year.) |
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04/24/2007 11:18:05 AM · #10 |
Originally posted by nshapiro:
Originally posted by Spazmo99:
Was $34K for a closed or open loop system? Get another estimate for a different type of system or simply from another contractor. I've had estimates vary wildly for major projects. |
It was closed loop. There don't seem to be a lot of contracters doing this here, for some reason. (At least last year: I need to reevaluate for this year.) |
I would think that would be popular where you are, but what do I know about NY?
I'd look around some more and find someone with experience. You don't want to be someone's guinea pig. The open loop systems coupled to groundwater are an option too, as long as you don't have to drill to the earth's core for water. |
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04/24/2007 11:33:53 AM · #11 |
Originally posted by muckpond:
three words:
whole house humidifier.
i can't wait until my furnace kicks it so that i can get one of these. winters kill my nasal membranes. :)
otherwise, good luck! |
Why would you wait that long? They aren't that expensive or hard to install for that matter.
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04/24/2007 11:34:39 AM · #12 |
Originally posted by Spazmo99:
I would think that would be popular where you are, but what do I know about NY?
I'd look around some more and find someone with experience. You don't want to be someone's guinea pig. The open loop systems coupled to groundwater are an option too, as long as you don't have to drill to the earth's core for water. |
Yeah, my in-laws had thought they could get their well dug for their new house for under $9,000, they got the bill back for $17,000. Apparently the 2nd aquifer doesn't run under their house (First is off limits) so they had to go down to the third. |
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04/24/2007 12:53:24 PM · #13 |
You run natural gas?
Have you checked for alternatives - oil, propane, electric? With natural gas you have few options -it costs what it costs. Oil and propane tanks can be filled in the summer when it's cheapest - but refilling in Feb can be costly, so have enough space in the tanks!
Here where I am are two electric companies - both offer lower prices per KWH depending - one does for all-electric homes (you get 2 meters - one for the furnace and water heater, one for the rest of the house) and the other (the one I have) gives a discount in the winter months if you have electric heat.
I replaced my gas fired furnace (i have a hot water system) with an electric - I had enough of a panel and service to it wasn't a big deal (furnace draws 28,000 watts at full power). Install cost was LESS than a 90+ gas furnace and based on the OLD gas prices ($7.59/mcf) I am saving $50/month. The new gas prices kicked in last summer ($11.59/mcf) and I don't know how I could have paid those bills!
The elec furnace was $4700 installed, and that included adding a zone valve and t-stat for $800 - so it would have been under 4 grand. A new gas unit was quoted at $5500.
Now I'd do a windmill in a heartbeat - if it was worth it. The payback would be about 40 years...it's cheaper to pay the utility company.
Call and talk with 3 or 4 furnace folks - the big name around here lies alot - told me 'oh yeah, that's an old furnace - 40 years at least' and quoted $9500. The other 3 told me it was about 20 years old and all quoted within $300 of eachother.
As for puron/freon you may not have a choice anymore. There is no freon being made, and teh cost is ridiculous anyway. If you don't need a duct system, the outside units run $1200-2000 depending on size. The wiring is there, the pads, etc right? They might want to run new lines, but that shouldn't be too costly. A forced air furnace only COSTS 1200 or so, but with install and what not should still be under $5000. I can't see where you're getting $20,000!
I can get A/C installed for under $6500 - and that includes ALL the new ductwork (i have hot water heat so no ducts), the blower, the unit, etc, etc.
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