Advice on new furnace purchase - http://www.hvacmechanic.com/ Forums
Original message
| newmom09
 |  "Advice on new furnace purchase"
, posted Mon 7 Jun 13:21  
We purchased our 1973 split level home (approx 1600 fsf) a year ago. The furnace is a Williamson Temp-o-matic, which is original to the house. The unit works OK, but the gas bills for our MN winter last year were really high, so we're looking at putting in something more efficient.
Our problem is trying to get the best bang for our buck. We've heard that the 90+ efficiency furnaces are the best, but some say the higher end 80+ ones are just as good. We were quoted a couple of options on an 80,000 BTU size.
We think we want an air cleaner attached to the furnace to help control allergens. Is this really worth the $? Also, do we need to have the fan on all the time to make this feature effective?
What type of furnace could you recommend, without over or under buying? What things are essential for a climate where the heat is on 7 - 8 months of the year?
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Replies:
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| ericesposito
| "Re(1):Advice on new furnace purchase" , posted Mon 7 Jun 14:12
Eric Esposito
Technical Services
B&F Johnstone Supply
135 Schmitt Boulevard
Farmingdale NY 11735
Phone: 631-293-2566 ext. 210
Fax: 631-293-3919
Email: Eric.Esposito@JohnstoneSupply.com
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| | TexasTech
| "Re(2):Advice on new furnace purchase" , posted Mon 7 Jun 16:05
I would go for the Amana two stage heat 96% AFUE. April Aire 5000 is a good air cleaner. What specific kind of allergen do you want to filter out? What steps are you taking for dust mite control?
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| | newmom09
| "Re(3):Advice on new furnace purchase" , posted Mon 7 Jun 16:56
The main allergens I am trying to avoid are dust mites and any sort of molds or tree pollens that might come in from outside.
We have recently re-carpeted (I know hard floors are best for keeping dust mites at bay, but we couldn't afford to put in wood floors), we vacuum with a hepa filter machine and have allergen protecting covers on the beds, pillows.
I have heard that unless you go with a variable motor that runs all the time that an air cleaner won't work efficiently, but we don't have the money for what we were quoted on a 92% eff 2 stage furnace with a dc motor, so I am left trying to figure out if I need all that, or if we can scale back somewhere and still get a good, efficient furnace.
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| | xenos
Webmaster 
| "Re(4):Advice on new furnace purchase" , posted Mon 7 Jun 19:22
Basically there are only two reasons why some one should install a variable speed DC motor. The first is for a zoned system and the other is if you require air all the time. If you want an electronic air cleaner do it right. You spend what, 18 hours a day in your home?. Now if you decide not to go with the air cleaner then there is really no reason for the high end furnace, therefore basically the air cleaner is essentially more expensive than it first appears.
Xenos.
The best way to escape a problem is to solve it.
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