I’ll be needing a new furnace one of these days, and thought I’d see if anyone has any suggestions of what to look for and guesses about price for furnace & labor
specs:
We live in an expanded cape in Connecticut ….. about 2700 sq ft, forced hot air. (Hot water is separate ….. gas heater)
Furnace is in the old cramped basement, some 30 year old beast.
Would like to keep the option of central air open as well.
Replies
"Would like to keep the option of central air open as well."
HOMEBREW,
When the new furnace is installed, you surely are going to need ductwork done. So, have them add an AC plenum to the top of the furnace, even if you aren't adding AC just yet. It cost me $75.00 extra to have the plenum box for AC added to the top of the unit when installed. When I finally had the funds and need for central AC later, the guys were in and out in less than two hours.
As for a recommendation on a brand. I'm no heating guy, but my Rheem has been trouble free for 7 years, and heating bills are less than they should be.
Jon
I have posted this before, but glad to give my 2-bits again.
I like to get double duty from one appliance. With gas hot water, you have the ability to supply both domestic hot water as well as heat for the central air system by the addition of a heat exchanger(water coil)and a small pump.
Since you need hot water all year anyway, you would have a dual purpose appliance, thus eliminating cold starts
You probably do not have the Btu capacity in your current WH, but could add a second unit. When I converted from heat pump to gas fired hot water, I kept the ele WH and installed the new gas heater upstream. It passes hot water on to the turned off ele heater. The circulating pump system supplies hot air rapidly, and the water heater has simpler controls than a gas furnace. The system also makes adding a radiant floor heat loop feasible.
You possibly could modify your current air handler to accept a coil, and as Jon suggested, work in space for an A/C coil as well.
You might look into a Bock or Polaris water heater. Both are designed for dual purpose use, and have higher efficiency ratings than the Am Std 75 gal, 75,000 Btu unit I have. Change the anode in the water heaters on schedule, and you will have a long life, reliable heat system. Good move on planning ahead.
Paul