Need a new furnace - any recommendations? - Page 2

**Lzen** · 02-20-2007, 09:46 AM

My furnace is 13 years old and it appears to have a cracked heat exchanger. Looks like I'm going to be needing to replace it. I already have a few bids and I'm in the process of getting more furnace guys out with some more bids. Any pros on here that know some things about this? Any particular brand of furnace I should absolutely avoid? Any particular brand that is head and shoulders above the rest? Any additional info would be helpful.

BWillie · 02-20-2007, 09:21 PM

All you need is a living room floor. A brown paper bag, some dog shit, gasoline. You got yourself a furnace.

plbrdude · 02-20-2007, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lzen

Comfortmaker? Never even heard of that. Thanks for the suggestion but I think by the time I pay for labor, I can get a much more well known model installed for the same or maybe even less.

Comfortmaker----ICP product. Carrier, Bryant, Heil, Comfortmaker, maybe 1 or 2 others. Over all not a bad product.

**Lzen** · 02-21-2007, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fat Elvis

The most important thing about a new heater isn't the brand, but the installation. Make sure you have someone who will stand behind the product they install.

If you are planning on staying in your home for a long time, go ahead and splurge on a very high efficiency heater; it will cost more up front, but will pay for itself in the long run---especially with rising energy prices.

I agree. However, it is obvious to me that Goodman made some crappy products. Poorly designed and low quality parts. I went with the Heil 92% efficiency. It was a little more expensive (about $400 more) than the 80%, but I know we'll recoup that expense in 2-3 years. They are installing it on Friday. Thanks everyone for your comments.

**Saulbadguy** · 02-21-2007, 08:32 AM

My family has used SAMCO in the past. Who did you go with?

StcChief · 02-21-2007, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lzen

I agree. However, it is obvious to me that Goodman made some crappy products. Poorly designed and low quality parts. I went with the Heil 92% efficiency. It was a little more expensive (about $400 more) than the 80%, but I know we'll recoup that expense in 2-3 years. They are installing it on Friday. Thanks everyone for your comments.

Heil is very good product. Higher efficency will pay back.

It's also a selling feature in the future.

**Lzen** · 02-21-2007, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StcChief

Heil is very good product. Higher efficency will pay back.

It's also a selling feature in the future.

An added bonus is that I'll get $150 back on my tax return next year for installing a high efficiency furnace. So, I really look at it like it was $250 more.

**Lzen** · 02-21-2007, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saulbadguy

My family has used SAMCO in the past. Who did you go with?

Samco? Is that a Topeka company? I am going with A-1. Funny thing is that the wife was against having A-1 come out because she thought they would screw us over. I had 8 different bids and they turned out to be the best offer.

**Saulbadguy** · 02-21-2007, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lzen

Samco? Is that a Topeka company? I am going with A-1. Funny thing is that the wife was against having A-1 come out because she thought they would screw us over. I had 8 different bids and they turned out to be the best offer.

Yeah, A-1 is usually the highest. The guy that runs it is a complete asshole, too...but their work is solid.

SAMCO is a Topeka company.

ChiefaRoo · 02-21-2007, 01:25 PM

Don't buy a Goodman. I have a two, two year old Goodman units and they have these little plastic water vapor collector thingies that have leaked. I got them fixed for free but it was really irritating to have a puddle of water on my floor.

Inspector · 02-21-2007, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lzen

From what I've been reading, Trane and Rheem seem to be the consensus most reliable.

Inspector, does your uncle know what HTL quality is like? Also, I was told that Goodman bought Amana and now they're trying to rebuild their reputation. The contractor that told me that information also said that Goodman was using the same parts in thier new furnace as in the Amana except the heat exchanger is different. But they will give a lifetime warranty on the heat exchanger. Would your uncle know if any of this is true?

BTW, I don't live in KC. I'm in Topeka.

I'm trying to get in touch with him for a possible job with gblowfish. I'll ask hiom about it.

**Lzen** · 02-25-2007, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inspector

I'm trying to get in touch with him for a possible job with gblowfish. I'll ask hiom about it.

BTW, I was confused on the brand. It was not HTL, it was Heil. They seem to be good quality. I went with this one. I got a 92% efficiency Heil for $1825 (included cleaning A coil and all installation).

plbrdude · 02-25-2007, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lzen

BTW, I was confused on the brand. It was not HTL, it was Heil. They seem to be good quality. I went with this one. I got a 92% efficiency Heil for $1825 (included cleaning A coil and all installation).

heil is a good product. i've been impressed w/ the ones i've installed. the parent company puts out carrier, bryant, heil, and comfortmaker.you got a pretty good deal too at that price.

02-20-2007, 09:46 AM
Lzen Supporter Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Jan Quadrant Vincent 16 Casino cash: $1900692	Need a new furnace - any recommendations? My furnace is 13 years old and it appears to have a cracked heat exchanger. Looks like I'm going to be needing to replace it. I already have a few bids and I'm in the process of getting more furnace guys out with some more bids. Any pros on here that know some things about this? Any particular brand of furnace I should absolutely avoid? Any particular brand that is head and shoulders above the rest? Any additional info would be helpful.
Posts: 41,487

02-20-2007, 09:21 PM	#16
BWillie El Gato Gordo Loco Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Earth Casino cash: $1941241	All you need is a living room floor. A brown paper bag, some dog shit, gasoline. You got yourself a furnace. __________________ Who wants free money? Use the link below to sign up at Bovada, BetOnline, Black Chip Poker and Ignition. Contact me for private deals, spot bonuses, possible rakeback or any questions! Bovada, Ignition, BetOnline, Black Chip Poker: baldeaglepoker.com Bovada Poker is back! Get up to $500 poker deposit bonus.
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02-21-2007, 08:32 AM	#19
Saulbadguy When a nightmare becomes real Join Date: Nov 2003 Casino cash: $2156966	My family has used SAMCO in the past. Who did you go with? __________________ http://www.goemaw.com
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02-21-2007, 01:25 PM	#24
ChiefaRoo MVP Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Austin,TX Casino cash: $5017505	Don't buy a Goodman. I have a two, two year old Goodman units and they have these little plastic water vapor collector thingies that have leaked. I got them fixed for free but it was really irritating to have a puddle of water on my floor.
Posts: 11,856