Murphy’s law says your HVAC system will fail mid-July and there won’t be anyone available until October. If you have a 25 yo system replace it on your terms is our counsel, FFIW.We have a 25 year old home with the original HVAC (1 stage 90% furnace, 1 stage 10 SEER AC) and we're considering replacing it in spite of the fact that, for now at least, it's working just fine. But there's very light dripping from the furnace exchange, which has caused a small amount of rust on the plate below it. The problem isn't severe, but it's there. All the HVAC people who've come over didn't feel that the dripping exchange was an immediate issue, but it's clear that our HVAC's glory days are behind it. But whether we have one year left in it, or four or ten just can't be known.
We've gotten multiple quotes and have decided on a 2 stage 96% furnace and a 2 stage 17 SEER AC, which would also be better at handling basic dehumidification. Buuuut, we're still on the fence about whether or not to pull the trigger since it's a major expense and we've never done this before.
So as I see it, we have two ways of looking at this:
1) Drive the current HVAC into the ground and get a new system only when we absolutely need it. The clock on a new system starts ticking as soon as it's installed, and at least this way we know we've gotten as much out of the old one as we can. And remember that old or new, the current HVAC is regulating the temperature and humidity just fine. It is not malfunctioning in any way (dripping exchange notwithstanding).
Or...
2) Buy a new system now, before hardware prices go up, and reap the benefits of energy savings from getting a more efficient system. However, a common theme we've heard is that newer, smarter and more complex systems don't last as long as older, dumber 1 stage systems, so getting 25 years out of the new one would be completely unrealistic.
How would you think about this? Note: we can do 5 year 0% financing.
I have to go back and look. We've got a lot of different estimates for that and nothing's certain. It's safe to say that after moving up from a 90% to 96% efficient furnace and 10 to 17 SEER AC, there would be energy savings for sure, and probably less electricity since the two stage wouldn't be belting out at full power regardless of whether or not we need it to.What is the expected reduction in power bills versus the cost of the new unit?
I don’t think it should be the decision maker but it’s would factor in.I have to go back and look. We've got a lot of different estimates for that and nothing's certain. It's safe to say that after moving up from a 90% to 96% efficient furnace and 10 to 17 SEER AC, there would be energy savings for sure, and probably less electricity since the two stage wouldn't be belting at full power.
We have a 25 year old home with the original HVAC (1 stage 90% furnace, 1 stage 10 SEER AC) and we're considering replacing it in spite of the fact that, for now at least, it's working just fine. But there's very light dripping from the furnace exchange, which has caused a small amount of rust on the plate below it. The problem isn't severe, but it's there. All the HVAC people who've come over didn't feel that the dripping exchange was an immediate issue, but it's clear that our HVAC's glory days are behind it. But whether we have one year left in it, or four or ten just can't be known.
We've gotten multiple quotes and have decided on a 2 stage 96% furnace and a 2 stage 17 SEER AC, which would also be better at handling basic dehumidification. Buuuut, we're still on the fence about whether or not to pull the trigger since it's a major expense and we've never done this before.
So as I see it, we have two ways of looking at this:
1) Drive the current HVAC into the ground and get a new system only when we absolutely need it. The clock on a new system starts ticking as soon as it's installed, and at least this way we know we've gotten as much out of the old one as we can. And remember that old or new, the current HVAC is regulating the temperature and humidity just fine. It is not malfunctioning in any way (dripping exchange notwithstanding).
Or...
2) Buy a new system now, before hardware prices go up, and reap the benefits of energy savings from getting a more efficient system. However, a common theme we've heard is that newer, smarter and more complex systems don't last as long as older, dumber 1 stage systems, so getting 25 years out of the new one would be completely unrealistic.
How would you think about this? Note: we can do 5 year 0% financing.
That was exactly our case. The previous owners were insanely meticulous and scheduled regular maintenance service. The HVAC people who come over are always impressed by the condition of the furnace.Funny, we did this just about 6 months ago.
22 year old HVAC, original owners and we were on a 6 month maintenance plan where they would come out and service the H and AC. We firmly believe out system lasted so long because of regular maintenance.
So... We opted to replace a unit that sounds very similar to yours with an upgrade that also sounds very similar to yours (17 SEER AC but with an 80% furnace as we just don't run the furnace as much).
One of our main decision factors was timing. Our system was still working, but for how long was the question. It was well past it's normal service life and could have died at any time. Because it wasn't the heat of the summer or freezing winter WE would control the timing and not have the unit fail, be in the middle of our hot and humid summer and need the unit replaced NOW!!! ("NOW!!!" meaning of course at a much steeper cost.) If you have a working system and can time your system change to spring/fall when demand for immediate service is lower, you can have a better experience and choose your provider with more care. If you are in the middle of a heat/freeze event, then you are at the mercy of who is available the fastest - which may not be the best service provider in the long term.
That was our logic.
WW
I agree.Murphy’s law says your HVAC system will fail mid-July and there won’t be anyone available until October. If you have a 25 yo system replace it on your terms is our counsel, FFIW.
I'm having the same debate with myself now but my client that is in the HVAC business suggested that I wait until the new refrigerant comes out. According to him, that change will allow a return to copper coils instead of the rifled aluminum now being used and the new units (after the change back to copper) should last a lot longer than the current ones will.We have a 25 year old home with the original HVAC (1 stage 90% furnace, 1 stage 10 SEER AC) and we're considering replacing it in spite of the fact that, for now at least, it's working just fine. But there's very light dripping from the furnace exchange, which has caused a small amount of rust on the plate below it. The problem isn't severe, but it's there. All the HVAC people who've come over didn't feel that the dripping exchange was an immediate issue, but it's clear that our HVAC's glory days are behind it. But whether we have one year left in it, or four or ten just can't be known.
We've gotten multiple quotes and have decided on a 2 stage 96% furnace and a 2 stage 17 SEER AC, which would also be better at handling basic dehumidification. Buuuut, we're still on the fence about whether or not to pull the trigger since it's a major expense and we've never done this before.
So as I see it, we have two ways of looking at this:
1) Drive the current HVAC into the ground and get a new system only when we absolutely need it. The clock on a new system starts ticking as soon as it's installed, and at least this way we know we've gotten as much out of the old one as we can. And remember that old or new, the current HVAC is regulating the temperature and humidity just fine. It is not malfunctioning in any way (dripping exchange notwithstanding).
Or...
2) Buy a new system now, before hardware prices go up, and reap the benefits of energy savings from getting a more efficient system. However, a common theme we've heard is that newer, smarter and more complex systems don't last as long as older, dumber 1 stage systems, so getting 25 years out of the new one would be completely unrealistic.
How would you think about this? Note: we can do 5 year 0% financing.
I had a similar problem about ten years ago. Have a HVAC guy look at it. Ours was almost 30 years old. We decided to replace - our heating and cooling bill went down about 10% and the house was more comfortable.We have a 25 year old home with the original HVAC (1 stage 90% furnace, 1 stage 10 SEER AC) and we're considering replacing it in spite of the fact that, for now at least, it's working just fine. But there's very light dripping from the furnace exchange, which has caused a small amount of rust on the plate below it. The problem isn't severe, but it's there. All the HVAC people who've come over didn't feel that the dripping exchange was an immediate issue, but it's clear that our HVAC's glory days are behind it. But whether we have one year left in it, or four or ten just can't be known.
We've gotten multiple quotes and have decided on a 2 stage 96% furnace and a 2 stage 17 SEER AC, which would also be better at handling basic dehumidification. Buuuut, we're still on the fence about whether or not to pull the trigger since it's a major expense and we've never done this before.
So as I see it, we have two ways of looking at this:
1) Drive the current HVAC into the ground and get a new system only when we absolutely need it. The clock on a new system starts ticking as soon as it's installed, and at least this way we know we've gotten as much out of the old one as we can. And remember that old or new, the current HVAC is regulating the temperature and humidity just fine. It is not malfunctioning in any way (dripping exchange notwithstanding).
Or...
2) Buy a new system now, before hardware prices go up, and reap the benefits of energy savings from getting a more efficient system. However, a common theme we've heard is that newer, smarter and more complex systems don't last as long as older, dumber 1 stage systems, so getting 25 years out of the new one would be completely unrealistic.
How would you think about this? Note: we can do 5 year 0% financing.
I just checked and, yup, the proposed AC does indeed have aluminum coils. I guess you're in a better position to wait than we are.I'm having the same debate with myself now but my client that is in the HVAC business suggested that I wait until the new refrigerant comes out. According to him, that change will allow a return to copper coils instead of the rifled aluminum now being used and the new units (after the change back to copper) should last a lot longer than the current ones will.
From what efficiency and SEER to what?I had a similar problem about ten years ago. Have a HVAC guy look at it. Ours was almost 30 years old. We decided to replace - our heating and cooling bill went down about 10% and the house was more comfortable.
I made the decision to replace ours (10 yrs ago) when I asked myself how I would feel if the system died on the coldest day in winter or the hottest day in summer and it was a weekend or holiday.How would you think about this? Note: we can do 5 year 0% financing.
What are the brand options?And then the real second-guessing hell: the two companies we've come down to are both rated almost exactly the same.
1) Company 1 has 300 reviews and 4.9, company 2 has 700 reviews with 4.8.
2) Company 1 is more HVAC dedicated and company 2 branches out into plumbing and water heaters as well.
3) Company 1 seems a liiiiittle bit more with it when responding to technical questions. Company 2 got a few details wrong in communication, (for example saying "humidifier" when we were talking about a dehumidifier).
4) Company 1 has shorter warranty on parts by nearly half.
5) Company 1 has fewer employees, but they're all NATE certified, and the owner will be doing the install. Company 2 will have one NATE certified with one assistant (presumably an apprentice).
Really digging into the weeds here, but this is important because a consistent theme we've been running into is that the quality of the installation is more important than the hardware itself.
It's come down to Lennox (company 1) and American Standard (company 2).What are the brand options?
We went from Rheem/Trane to Carrier. That is what our local friend/dealer carries.It's come down to Lennox (company 1) and American Standard (company 2).
I'm not anal, I just irrationally fixate on minutiae that may not even end up mattering in the end.What are the brand options?
Edit; Re reread your post……you are anal, dude, and it takes one to know one!
Trane was offered by somebody who came in at a much higher quote.We went from Rheem/Trane to Carrier. That is what our local friend/dealer carries.
I didn’t get into the weeds with BTU/SEER, but if the price was close, I would get the longer warranty and Lennox is a more familiar name in HVAC than American Standard which brings porcelain conveniences to mind.Trane was offered by somebody who came in at a much higher quote.
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