Replace Furnace heat exchangers or replace Furnace?

gudnoyez

Hey sorry about the non audio related question. I have a 92% effiecinecy Tempstar was told today that the heat exchangers need to be replaced. The unit is 15 years old the exchangers are under warranty, but the labor is $500. The tech said that the blower motors, burner and igniter, all seem to be in working order. I guess my choices are pay the labor and have the warranty replacements installed, and risk having something else fail down the road, or fork out $2500 for a new model. the furnace is a high effiiencey already if it was an 80% efficent or less I would replace it but it is already a high effieciney one. Suggestions anyone? Thanks

pdxfj

I'd say just fix it. It's money in your pocket the longer it keeps running. Might get another 10 years out of it for $500 as opposed to spending $2500.

Would be nice if my furnace was anywhere near 80%.. it's a late 60's or early 70's vintage beast.. still going strong since the heat box is all stainless steel.. I am thinking of getting a new one.. had a 90% in my last house.. this house I'd likely just go with a 80%..

trav0810

If all other components seem to be in good shape, then a new heat exchanger might get you another 10 years down the road. If it's something you planned on replacing in the next 5 years anyway, then I'd replace it now. Also, you might want to check into energy rebates and tax credits for replacing it. Sometimes there enough in incentives to cover most of the cost.

chumlie

I have to go with the repair it .

gdb

That labor quote is hiway robbery !! Did they happen to mention the time this fix would require ? Seems like 2 or 3 hours would be plenty of time to complete it. (I did my own heat exchanger swap on a Lennox oil furnace in approx. 2 hrs.)

gudnoyez

gdb wrote: »

That labor quote is hiway robbery !! Did they happen to mention the time this fix would require ? Seems like 2 or 3 hours would be plenty of time to complete it. (I did my own heat exchanger swap on a Lennox oil furnace in approx. 2 hrs.)

Tech said about 4-5 hours not the easiest ones to get at. perhaps I could convience the wife to let me get a couple of Tube amps and we could hover around them absorb the heat they put out while wearing long jhons and wrapped in blankets drinking shots of schnapps and listening to tunes, that would only get us by till mid november in these here parts, winters can be pretty cold:eek:The only good news I got my Donald Fagen Cd in the Mail today.

rpf65

Happen to be a/c guy, that means heating in slow season. Live in Central Texas, so it's about 2 days of winter.

Anyway, there is a lot of confusion between 80% and 90% efficiency furnaces. The 90% furnace produce water, and if the maintanance isn't done regularly on the drain line, the leak into the heat exchanger. Basically they're a pain to have.

The money savings in a given month would probably be about the same as running your oven for a couple of hours. Grew up in Pa, so I know a little about cold.

If it were me, I would ask the myself the following question. Am I planning on living here for 5 years or longer. If yes, replace the furnace, with an 80%, and it will last 20 yearss or longer. If no, then replace the heat exchanger. That's a fair price in my opinion. The tech has to pick up the heat exchanger, replace it, test it, and do quite a bit of paper work for warrenty purposes, as well as getting it back to the parts dealer. I think we charge closer to $800.

hewlew1

I would say to fix it . How much more efficient would a new one be when the one you already have is 92%?

obieone

Do you have a repair history on this system? If all the other components have beel changed out, let's say with in the past 5 years, then this should be good to go. BUT, if all the other parts are older than 5 years, you might start seeing cascading repairs: Draft motor, limit switches, ignitor assembly, blower motor, etc.
If this is the 1st component that's failed, then you definitely got your $$$ worth.

Also, the efficiency of a system, whether it's heat or a/c is directly proportional to how well your air distributing(ductwork) system is done. That 92% is only based on a system that has the ductwork installed/ sized correctly.

polk500

I would fix it. Like others said you may get 10 years plus.

Cheers
Roger

gudnoyez

I would like to thank you all for your advice, I guess I'am leaning towards having the warranty replacements installed, called several places, and the 500 seems to be the average, which includes a tune up after everthing is installed and checked out. I figure if I get a few more years out of this one it will be less time used on a new one had I purchased one. I can start putting money aside for another one down the road, which will enable me to take advantage of all the incinitives. Once again eveyone thanks for your advice, awesome folks on this forum.

jimsvm

Kick the furnas curb side. I have started all different makes and models of furnases, All combustion eff are 88 to 89 percent.. The listed eff is called a seasonal eff which consists of blower eff,cabinet insulation, and overall construction. Its a bad idea to replace the heat exchanger in a 15 year old furnas. Carrier produces only..

jimsvm

Ps. I am a G-1 and have been do this trade for 25 years