Need some help ASAP on a Furnace Quote

Tim

Tim

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The furnace died last week. I have a quote in hand with several options. Anybody 'in the know' able to take a quick look and tell me if the different product/service levels are worth the incremental cost? I'm not looking for a long drawn out assessment, just a quick "yeah, you should do the Premium because...".

2,800 sq ft ranch style house. For simplicity call it 1,400 main floor and 1,400 basement.

Screen Shot 2023-01-18 at 2.29.19 PM.png
 
I'm not the guy you're looking for, but it seems like if you want to know "tell me if the different product/service levels are worth the incremental cost?", the pricing section you omitted in your screenshot will be pertinent info.

Unless I'm blind and it's right there and I just can't see it.
 
Cape Fear said:
I'm not the guy you're looking for, but it seems like if you want to know "tell me if the different product/service levels are worth the incremental cost?", the pricing section you omitted in your screenshot will be pertinent info.

Unless I'm blind and it's right there and I just can't see it.
Click to expand...

Premium is ~$14K
Plus ~$14.5K
Ultimate $16.5K <--- has Zone control that the others don't
 
I just had my HVAC guy come out today at lunch and take measurements for my shop and he told me At 1200 Square ft 2.5 ton was borderline so he recommended going 3 ton. How can 3 ton be enuff for 2800 Square ft. ?

As far as Sear numbers go I was always told the higher the number the greater the efficiency and therefore the cheaper to operate it is.
 
Schattenreiter said:
I just had my HVAC guy come out today at lunch and take measurements for my shop and he told me At 1200 Square ft 2.5 ton was borderline so he recommended going 3 ton. How can 3 ton be enuff for 2800 Square ft. ?

As far as Sear numbers go I was always told the higher the number the greater the efficiency and therefore the cheaper to operate it is.
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Because 2 ton is enough for 1200 sq. If he told you that. I'd be looking another guy.
 
Tim said:
The furnace died last week. I have a quote in hand with several options. Anybody 'in the know' able to take a quick look and tell me if the different product/service levels are worth the incremental cost? I'm not looking for a long drawn out assessment, just a quick "yeah, you should do the Premium because...".

2,800 sq ft ranch style house. For simplicity call it 1,400 main floor and 1,400 basement.

View attachment 573767
Click to expand...
If you can find an installer I can get you the same equipment ALOT cheaper than they are going to charge you.
 
16 seer is the new code minimum. Did you house already have a zone system installed? If not and you do go with zone control, they'd have to install dampers and controls for that.
 
LeeMajors said:
If you can find an installer I can get you the same equipment ALOT cheaper than they are going to charge you.
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those numbers include installation, removal, taxes, permits, plus a couple years of 2x per year service.
 
Tim said:
those numbers include installation, removal, taxes, permits, plus a couple years of 2x per year service.
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From my perspective that's stupid high. I'd bet they are at least 8-9k on equipment. I bet they are at least 40% mark up
 
concepthomes2 said:
16 seer is the new code minimum. Did you house already have a zone system installed? If not and you do go with zone control, they'd have to install dampers and controls for that.
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Actually the new code is SEER2 and you can still use 14 SEER heat pumps until they are gone. I don't recommend installing zoning on an existing duct system without a lot of duct modifications. There are minimum amount of air flow that the equipment (Furnace) needs to have to operate properly. The price difference doesn't seem to reflect enough to account for those modifications.
LeeMajors said:
From my perspective that's stupid high. I'd bet they are at least 8-9k on equipment. I bet they are at least 40% mark up
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I'm in the business and my company won't install customer supplied equipment. 40% is a fairly common mark up in the HVAC industry unless your dealing with a one man show. The prices look normal for a reputable company. I'm just leery of adding a zone to an existing duct system.
Tim said:
Premium is ~$14K
Plus ~$14.5K
Ultimate $16.5K <--- has Zone control that the others don't
Click to expand...
Looking at the bid - It may not be a zone control - I used to use Trane and the 1050 is the thermostat that controls the variable speed communicating systems. If you can swing the top one, it's a very comfortable system because the unit speeds up and slows down only making what is required to heat and cool the home so you end up with excellent humidity control (in summer) and nice even temperatures. The unit runs longer so not as much stopping and starting so your not "city driving" your unit - kinda like being on cruise control.
 
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Herk said:
Actually the new code is SEER2. I don't recommend installing zoning on an existing duct system without a lot of duct modifications. There are minimum amount of air flow that the equipment (Furnace) needs to have to operate properly. The price difference doesn't seem to reflect enough to account for those modifications.

I'm in the business and my company won't install customer supplied equipment. 40% is a fairly common mark up in the HVAC industry unless your dealing with a one man show. The prices look normal for a reputable company. I'm just leery of adding a zone to an existing duct system.

Looking at the bid - It may not be a zone control - I used to use Trane and the 1050 is the thermostat that controls the variable speed systems. If you can swing the top one, it's a very comfortable system because the unit speeds up and slows down only making what is required to heat and cool the home so you end up with excellent humidity control (in summer) and nice even temperatures. The unit runs longer so not as much stopping and starting so your not "city driving" your unit - kinda like being on cruise control.
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I was licensed for many years. Took over for my dad after he did his 50 years. Of course a big name isn't going to install customer supplied equipment. It cuts their profit considerably.

Personally I just can't stomach seeing people paying that mark up. That 40% has just came around in the last 10 years. 20% was the norm forever. The big guys don't get that not everyone can afford those prices. Like offering financing for 8-10 years just adds more cost in the end.

I'll stop there, if I don't I just get bent out of shape, I understand a business making a profit. But greed takes over at a point.
 
Schattenreiter said:
I just had my HVAC guy come out today at lunch and take measurements for my shop and he told me At 1200 Square ft 2.5 ton was borderline so he recommended going 3 ton. How can 3 ton be enuff for 2800 Square ft. ?

As far as Sear numbers go I was always told the higher the number the greater the efficiency and therefore the cheaper to operate it is.
Click to expand...
What is a shop? Going in and out of garage doors? No insulation? Metal roof? Equipment that puts off heat?
 
I misunderstood the “zoning” language on the quote. So, no, these quotes do not include “zone control” for different areas of the house.
 
A shop doesn’t really need the same standards as a house. 55 when it is 25 outside (a few days a year here) is fine in a shop, to me anyway. I would definitely not size it the same as a house that I want to stay 65.
 
I cool a hyper insulated 5,300 sq ft shop with 2.5 tons. However, there is 36" of insulation in the attic and 16" in the walls.... and the unit runs all the time since I'm in the shop every day.

For a shop that is not occupied all the time and not well insulated, I'd want some extra tonnage to help cool it down quickly.

On the other hand, if you're leaving the system running all the time, then a smaller unit would be better so that it would help to dehumidify the building.
 
Tim said:
The furnace died last week. I have a quote in hand with several options. Anybody 'in the know' able to take a quick look and tell me if the different product/service levels are worth the incremental cost? I'm not looking for a long drawn out assessment, just a quick "yeah, you should do the Premium because...".

2,800 sq ft ranch style house. For simplicity call it 1,400 main floor and 1,400 basement.

View attachment 573767
Click to expand...
Tim, how old is the air conditioner? If it's in good shape why not just replace the furnace instead of the entire system?
 
If the a/c is the same age as the furnace - replace it. We have seen prices go up 100% in the past 2 years and with all of the SEER2 changes and future refrigerant changes - you'll save money doing it now - not later. I spent 24 years on the manufacturing side and 16 years on the dealer side and - just like cars - they never go down once the factory gets their increase.
Scsmith42 said:
Tim, how old is the air conditioner? If it's in good shape why not just replace the furnace instead of the entire system?
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I went ahead with their quote.

Yes, I could likely source the equipment cheaper from @LeeMajors, THANKS! for the offer.

But in my experience, the hassle and potential issues with finding a contractor, having them be there if something goes wrong, etc etc isn’t worth the savings.

This company has a good rep, the sales guy is a neighbor…so if something comes up I’m sure it’ll get addressed.

And they can have it installed in just a few days.
 
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