Thoughts on the Goodman GMSS96060 furnace

[gusherb]

Sounds like a size down in furnace would be a good idea for next time.

The way mine operates is how they're all supposed to operate, sized properly so second stage actually comes on in extreme cold and not just always only first stage like the majority of two stage furnace installations are due to oversizing. That way the furnace has real long cycle times allowing for consistent heat output, like a hot water heating system operates - always putting out heat. My furnace hasn't shut off since about 4:30 PM.

 

[mattl]

No, only 90k unit, well sized. Replaced a 160k unit, now that was oversized...

I think the continuous air circulation helps greatly, would not ever do a furnace with out it.

 

[gusherb]

The readings from today were just posted online. The usage for January was 286 therms, as compared to last January's 307. Avg. temp this year: 29.7. Last January: 23.9. The usage is a little high compared to other months with a similar average temp, I wanna say it may be because of the gas range that we didn't have last year, and the billing period does cover the christmas season when we were using it a ton.
The paper bill hasn't posted yet so I don't know the itemized cost of gas, but the bill with gas and electric combined is $262.76, and the electric portion should be around $110.

 

[gusherb]

Ok so the gas cost for that 286 therms used was $145.68, that is substantially cheaper then last year when nearly the same usage in February cost $217.85 for 276 therms used.

 

[washman]

I think it is lower

this year for me also, need to check past bills

 

[gusherb]

Ben

Do you still have your Vornado heater? I stumbled across your video from 2009 and saw that model is still built in USA so I ordered one.

 

[washman]

Yes I do

In fact, I have 3 AVh2 and the AVHT

 

[gusherb]

Awesome

I picked up a VH200 which is a new model and really like it so far, doesn't run scorching hot (but still sucks nearly 1500 watts), and is quiet. I stress the quiet part because I don't think a heater should make any noise. (I also didn't want a radiator or quartz because I have a radiator, and the quartz is unsettling to watch glow like they do). Then I saw your AVH2 video and had to have probably the only consumer heater left that's built in the USA. The VH200 is Chinapride but seems like it's built alright.

 

[washman]

One year, at the condo

I pretty much ran both heaters most of the winter in an effort to cut down on the gas bill. Well I did alright. But the light bill was outta sight let me tell you. I still have them but I don't turn them on any more. I use an oil filled radiator style heater in the garage when the temp is below 10.........which we're supposed to have tonight!

Ugh!

 

[gusherb]

So I got my AVH2, wasn't long before I plugged it into my Kill-A-Watt and what I saw was quite a pleasant surprise for a consumer space heater, a variable fan and heating element control! I'm just playing with it right now but it seems it will ramp the element down to as low as 50 watts! And will go anywhere between that and full power. I definitely may be taking the VH200 back now, it's nowhere as sophisticated and has a plastic smell that hasn't gone away yet.

 

[DADoES]

 
I've had an AVH2 for several years.  Run it only in the bedroom at night.  It emits a noticeable burning-dust odor sometimes when the heat output ramps up on a cold snap after it has been operating throttled-back for a while.

 

[gusherb]

Does yours hum? I'm noticing a kind of loud comparative-to-the-fan hum on this one that's starting to get annoying. Sounds like a transformer hum.

 

[DADoES]

 
It sometimes has a noticeable hum for several minutes when first turned on, settles down to normal (whatever is that, LOL).  May be the fan motor in my case.  I need to investigate how to disassemble it to blow out all the dust, maybe lube the fan motor.

 

[gusherb]

I listened closely and it's the fan motor on mine, it's a hum/buzzing sound more noticeable when it's on low. If it keeps up I'm taking it back.

 

[DADoES]

 
I keep the fan set at high.

 

[gusherb]

Went and returned the VH200 and AVH2 in exchange for an AVH10 with the sleek design and digital controls. Very impressed by how quiet it is but I don't care for how quickly it cycles on and off (though hardly audible as it does so) making my lights flicker frequently. It has a multi step or near variable control like the AVH2. Probably just gonna bring it back and stick with manual controls.

 

[washman]

January bill

I don't believe this. But here it is in black and white. And it was a READ reading, not a guesstimate.

Rate RS(T)
Customer Charge - 1 Month $15.06
Price-to-Compare Commodity $2.0000 per MCF 2.00
Delivery Charge
1.0 MCF @ $6.7800 6.78
Demand (Capacity Charge) $0.7100 per MCF .71
State Tax Surcharge Cr .01
Total Current Charges $24.56
Total Account Balance $24.56
Peoples TWP current charges include $0.40 in state taxes

Billing cycle Jan 12 to Feb 11.

 

[gusherb]

Your billing is unfamiliar to me and therefore very confusing. Obviously you're billed in MCF, but which number is your usage? Something is way off on that bill.
I would think they must've overestimated you last time or your meter is broken.

 

[washman]

Beats me gusherb

Meter was newly installed when the house was built. I'm not going to question it with the gas company; I bet a lot of folks would love to have that kind of gas bill.

 

[gusherb]

They'll figure it out at some point.

I got a look at the January bills for my moms business and my dads building (same building separate heat sources).

The building (two apartments on two floors, completely uninsulated, leaky ass windows) was only $352. 544 therms were used. Comparatively last Februarys bill was 568 therms and $556. First time ever seeing a January bill below $500.

The business used 183 therms and was $145. Last February was 181 therms and $206.

Rates have gone down dramatically.