Furnance Suggestions - http://www.hvacmechanic.com/ Forums

Original message

mike373

12.72.245.160

"Furnance Suggestions" , posted Wed 26 Sep 01:16

I have a Carrier model 58RAV070 and it is 8 years old. It has a crack in the heat exchanger and the ignitor does not work. How many tons is this furnance? As I looked to replace these parts - the heat exchanger is under warranty, I was told it would cost around $800.00 which did not make sence. So, if we decide to replace the furnance which make and model do you recommend - our house is 2,300 square feet. We are also thinking of an air cleaner - any suggestions? Our thermostat is a Honeywell Chormotherm III - should this be replaced also? Are cracks in the heat exchanger normal?

Thanks for your help.

Replies:

NATEDOG

76.84.195.120

"Re(1):Furnance Suggestions" , posted Thu 27 Sep 22:23

I recommend a trane furnace and a trane clean effects air cleaner. I would not put in a honeywell because it lets so much stuff past it your blower wheel and evap. coil will get plugged.

acefurnacefxr

75.13.50.255

"Re(1):Furnance Suggestions" , posted Wed 26 Sep 07:24

It is VERY RARE for a 8 year old furnace to have a cracked heat exchanger, if I was you I WOULD get a second opinion.

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yuri

205.200.207.206

"Re(2):Furnance Suggestions" , posted Wed 26 Sep 19:45:

Lots of the Carrier WAV, PAV, RAV models have cracked heat exchangers. Pull out the limit control and look closely. Very labor intensive and expensive to replace the heat ex cells. They also have lots of circuit board and fan motor failures. I worked for a major Carrier dealer and know all about them. I would invest my $$ in a Lennox G61MPV furnace. They are 95% efficient vs the 80% for your RAV. Electronic air cleaners are the very best and especially good if you have allergies. Good for pollen, smoke etc. If no allergies then a 4 or 5" wide MERV 8 or 10 pleated filter system is good for dust. I would get a new Honeywell Vision or Focus Pro thermostat installed with the new furnace.

Yuri

[this message was edited by yuri on Wed 26 Sep 19:51]

Mike373

12.72.243.38

"Re(3):Furnance Suggestions" , posted Thu 27 Sep 02:55

If our house is 2,400 square feet, which ton furnance should I buy? We are looking at Honeywell electronic air cleaners, is there a model that you like? We have lots of allergies but no pets. Also we can't afford the most expensive Lennox - what do you think of the 80% furnance. Why do you like Lennox?
Thanks for the info.

Houston204

98.196.66.53

"Re(3):Furnance Suggestions" , posted Wed 26 Sep 20:16

I also think you should get a second opinion. If you do have a cracked heat exchanger, you probably have a restriction in your ducting. This is commonly an undersized return air. A static pressure measurement can verify this.

"Tip of the Day" Remember to remove power first.

fitter597

67.174.0.159

"Re(4):Furnance Suggestions" , posted Thu 27 Sep 19:22

No furnace should crack after 8 years other than a Lennox, they are known for that, at least the older ones, I hear the new Lennox units don't crack like the duracurves did but I still would stay away from them.
Get a second opinion and you want to see the crack with your own eyes , don't take a techs word for it. If he can see it, you should be able to.

Pipefitters Local 597
" We do it right the first time"

marchvac

24.57.145.130

"Re(5):Furnance Suggestions" , posted Thu 27 Sep 21:23

I have installed a few g50uh for retofit jobs with no complaints.The g50 lennox is not the bottom and priced well.Alot of people want the most efficient furnace and never change the filter. I dont like electronic air filters.If you dont have the money put in a standard 16/25/1 or 20/25/1 pleated filter depending on the airflow.I also find some of the expensive pleated filters to be very restrictive. Make sure the installer sets the gas pressure and the temperature rise.