Hey guys, has anyone done a total replacement lately? I have a boiler that the pump tripped breaker. So few radiators froze. Got estimate $6800 for boiler. New forced heat and air and duct work $9000. Does this week to be fair price? Thanks for any imput..... Charlie
Furnace replacement
- Thread starter wvkenmore
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I guess that figure depends on the size of the system. Whatever you do, steer clear of Bryant. Our Bryant HVAC was installed about two years ago before we bought this house, and it constantly cuts out during heating. This is a common complaint about Bryants and replacing the high limit sensor/switch is the default repair, but it's not the solution. The fan is also very noisy.
Package unit or split system? My Amana (built by Goodman) package system is 18 years old and needed only 1 repair (a wire in the ignition had shorted to ground so it wouldn't light...I fixed it myself with some black tape).
American Standard and Trane are the same
And probably the two best choices, My 15 YO TOL 2 stage ECM fan AS furnace has never had a problem and it is comfortable and as even as hot water heat.
John L.
And probably the two best choices, My 15 YO TOL 2 stage ECM fan AS furnace has never had a problem and it is comfortable and as even as hot water heat.
John L.
Bryant...
....is one of the top-rated brands in consumer publications and surveys. It's essentially the same as Carrier (also made by United Technologies)
My 96.5% efficiency gas furnace and A/C installed in May 2014 has worked flawlessly thus far. No complaints.
Noise of the blower is a function of ductwork and unit location.
I give a thumbs UP for Bryant (Carrier).
....is one of the top-rated brands in consumer publications and surveys. It's essentially the same as Carrier (also made by United Technologies)
My 96.5% efficiency gas furnace and A/C installed in May 2014 has worked flawlessly thus far. No complaints.
Noise of the blower is a function of ductwork and unit location.
I give a thumbs UP for Bryant (Carrier).
Carrier and Bryant
Are good brands, Bryant is the economy line from Carrier, The major problem I have with Carrier products is they are very restrictive with parts and service help, unless you are a dealer for them good luck getting parts and help.
If you have a C-B dealer you really like it may be a good choice.
I do agree that Ralph's noise and overheating problems are likely related to inadequate duct work, I know that Bryant furnaces can and do work very well.
John L.
Are good brands, Bryant is the economy line from Carrier, The major problem I have with Carrier products is they are very restrictive with parts and service help, unless you are a dealer for them good luck getting parts and help.
If you have a C-B dealer you really like it may be a good choice.
I do agree that Ralph's noise and overheating problems are likely related to inadequate duct work, I know that Bryant furnaces can and do work very well.
John L.
American Standard/Trane
I have to agree with John L. My Trane I purchased in spring of '03 has been running great. Only one repair 2 years ago for an igniter. The only other thing that has gone bad is the condensate discharge pump (which is NOT a Trane) product. I also have the Trane AC as part of this unit an it's been great. I will be a repeat customer.
Just want to add this unit is installed in the Northeast and we've had some tough winters over the years since I had this unit installed.
I have to agree with John L. My Trane I purchased in spring of '03 has been running great. Only one repair 2 years ago for an igniter. The only other thing that has gone bad is the condensate discharge pump (which is NOT a Trane) product. I also have the Trane AC as part of this unit an it's been great. I will be a repeat customer.
Just want to add this unit is installed in the Northeast and we've had some tough winters over the years since I had this unit installed.
norgeway
Well-known member
Put the boiler back
Nothing compares to hydronic heat.
Nothing compares to hydronic heat.
I second that opinion. Nothing compares to hot water systems for heat. My last 2 houses had them, this one does not and I miss them.
I replaced my furnace 2 years ago and it was around $4000 and that was just swapping it out.
I replaced my furnace 2 years ago and it was around $4000 and that was just swapping it out.
I grew up with boiler heat. My current house ( bought by parents in 63) has the original boiler. It is coal converted to has and is from 1928. Still works but has to much preasure. I use ventless gas heater. The houseplants o moving to pump went out and froze radiators and might have to replace the pipes.
firedome
Well-known member
I'll 3rd Hans...
of the 7 houses we've had, we specified Hydronic hot water baseboard in the 3 new ones that we built, and we'd do it again, we miss it. Our current Nat Gas hot air 1960s Williamson furnace still works great (knock on wood) and is cheap to run, but we hate the dry-out effect. I'd go for hot water baseboards in a micro-second.
of the 7 houses we've had, we specified Hydronic hot water baseboard in the 3 new ones that we built, and we'd do it again, we miss it. Our current Nat Gas hot air 1960s Williamson furnace still works great (knock on wood) and is cheap to run, but we hate the dry-out effect. I'd go for hot water baseboards in a micro-second.
Best Heating Systems For Homes
My 15 YO American Standard Hi efficiency Gas Forced Air Furnace is so quiet and even in heating the house you almost never know is on, the house always stays at an even 70F, it never overheats or has trouble keeping up. With the power humidifier electrostatic air cleaner the house stays clean and comfortable, I have not cleaned drapes or repainted in over 30 years.
Having spent time in homes with hot water heating systems while they often feel warm they are always too dry, too dusty and each bedroom and bathroom take on their own odor, basements stay musty. Hot water heating systems do not adjust well to changes in outdoor temperatures, they often overheat the home. They also do not recover quickly if you turn down the heat at night or when you go away and want to turn down the heat.
Hot water heating systems always cost more to run than forced air systems for several reasons, the boilers are usually a little less efficient, you can not turn off extra rooms as effectively or completely, and they often overheat the house causing people to open windows and doors.
John L.
My 15 YO American Standard Hi efficiency Gas Forced Air Furnace is so quiet and even in heating the house you almost never know is on, the house always stays at an even 70F, it never overheats or has trouble keeping up. With the power humidifier electrostatic air cleaner the house stays clean and comfortable, I have not cleaned drapes or repainted in over 30 years.
Having spent time in homes with hot water heating systems while they often feel warm they are always too dry, too dusty and each bedroom and bathroom take on their own odor, basements stay musty. Hot water heating systems do not adjust well to changes in outdoor temperatures, they often overheat the home. They also do not recover quickly if you turn down the heat at night or when you go away and want to turn down the heat.
Hot water heating systems always cost more to run than forced air systems for several reasons, the boilers are usually a little less efficient, you can not turn off extra rooms as effectively or completely, and they often overheat the house causing people to open windows and doors.
John L.
John,
Sounds like you are talking about hot water heating from the seventies. Since then they have become much more modern and efficient.
It was always possible to turn individual radiators on and off but later the individual thermostats for every single radiator was introduced. It started with simple thermostats, later thermosats with clocks were introduced so you could set several temperatures for every individual radiators. Nowadays there are Wifi thermostats available so you can set the temperature for every room in the house from where ever you are. The room thermostat can be replaced by a sensor outside that sets the max. water temperature in the system, depending on the temperature difference between inside and outside. So when it is cold, the water is heated to a higher temperature than when the weather is milder.
Boilers have become very efficient too. By regaining heat from the condensation water, efficiency is above 100%. A regular HR boiler/water heater combo has an efficiency of 107% nowadays. Only heatpumps are more efficient.
Overhere most people who had hot air heating have gotten rid of those systems, after converting to hot water heating their bill was almost half of what they paid before. The change to heatpump heating in new houses often goes together with the installation of low temperature under floor heating. Unfortunately that is not possible in older houses, or at least very expensive.
There are a lot of interesting developments going on at the moment but hot water heating is still very competitive.
Sounds like you are talking about hot water heating from the seventies. Since then they have become much more modern and efficient.
It was always possible to turn individual radiators on and off but later the individual thermostats for every single radiator was introduced. It started with simple thermostats, later thermosats with clocks were introduced so you could set several temperatures for every individual radiators. Nowadays there are Wifi thermostats available so you can set the temperature for every room in the house from where ever you are. The room thermostat can be replaced by a sensor outside that sets the max. water temperature in the system, depending on the temperature difference between inside and outside. So when it is cold, the water is heated to a higher temperature than when the weather is milder.
Boilers have become very efficient too. By regaining heat from the condensation water, efficiency is above 100%. A regular HR boiler/water heater combo has an efficiency of 107% nowadays. Only heatpumps are more efficient.
Overhere most people who had hot air heating have gotten rid of those systems, after converting to hot water heating their bill was almost half of what they paid before. The change to heatpump heating in new houses often goes together with the installation of low temperature under floor heating. Unfortunately that is not possible in older houses, or at least very expensive.
There are a lot of interesting developments going on at the moment but hot water heating is still very competitive.
Louis,
I agree with you about hot water heating. I got rid of my electric baseboard heat in 2009 and replaced it with hot water radiant baseboards. It works great - silent, efficient, clean and keeps the house more than comfortable on both levels even when the temperature is -35 C outside. I have the house divided into 5 zones whereby I can control the temperature of each zone indiviually. I have programmable thermostats so the temperature is raised & lowered automatically. Yes the air becomes a little dry but that is easily overcome by using a separate humidifier. New built homes require air recovery ventilation systems which eliminates the dry air issue. The only issue with hot air heating is that a separate system is required in order to have central air.
Gary
I agree with you about hot water heating. I got rid of my electric baseboard heat in 2009 and replaced it with hot water radiant baseboards. It works great - silent, efficient, clean and keeps the house more than comfortable on both levels even when the temperature is -35 C outside. I have the house divided into 5 zones whereby I can control the temperature of each zone indiviually. I have programmable thermostats so the temperature is raised & lowered automatically. Yes the air becomes a little dry but that is easily overcome by using a separate humidifier. New built homes require air recovery ventilation systems which eliminates the dry air issue. The only issue with hot air heating is that a separate system is required in order to have central air.
Gary
My biggest gripe with forced air is the temperature change. It gets cold, the heat kicks on, it gets stuffy and it kicks off. Repeat. I wish it were more even like hydronic would be. If I ever build a house it will have the hydronic tubes in the floor.
Heat pumps have a lower output temperature and higher airflow rate so tend to generate less of a perceptible temperature swing.
