New furnace and A/C (how much, furnaces, AC, installed)

[sgresident]

anyone other there recently replace a furnace and a/c in an existing home? we have been in our home for over 20 years and were just discussing that we should probably replace these major things before they quit! I was reading in a magazine that anything over 15 years is on borrowed time. I was wondering about how much something like this might cost? We live in illinois, just about 50 miles west of chicago.

[Cosmic]

How old something is might not be the best criterion to use.

First I would completely understand the old system that is installed. How energy efficient is it, how reliable, quality, how well does it function, problems, etc, etc? How much service life is probably still left in the beast? Are you happy with it at present, what is the expected fuel bill with the new equipment? Some of that older stuff was pretty well made, again depends on exactly what you have.

Then I would completely understand the new proposed equipment to replace it, it's pro's / con's, expected working life, etc, etc.

In general today, you should be able to get pretty energy efficient equipment, the rub being in what it will cost, what is the pay back time between it and the old equipment, what additional benefits are now available. But you must be pretty well atuned to the quality. The standard hype is replacement is always good but the devil is in the details.

The variable speed, direct vent technology is pretty nice stuff. Wring every BTU on of the fuel. Get the reset based on outside temperature / weather. But again what technology is in the old equipment? Just remember, experts are good at selling fridges to Eskimoes. Would keep my hands in the pockets and talk a bit. Maybe see some of the new stuff being proposed in action. If you are replacing an ancient fuel hog with a new fuel sipper usually it is a no brainer.

All that computerized stuff with lil blinking lights is fun to watch, can make you happy on payday. Watch out for the snake oil boys.

Always get the good boy price. One of those things easy to over pay for if you aren't careful.

[cb at sea]

We are going to have to replace our electric AC this year--around $4000.00 is the quote! Had to do the heatpump in our upstairs last year--that was a bit less...but not by much! Our furnace (hopefully) will last another year! (We have dual zone: heatpump upstairs, gas furnace and elec. AC downstairs)

[BigJon3475]

MFG's only give most A/C/Heatpump systems 15 years at most.

Furnaces when installed correctly are 20 years.

If it is the off season and you can get a deal on some equipment like some of the mfg's are offering rebates right now.....this would be the time to get it if you are questioning the systems integrity.

I wouldn't go for fancy smancy unless you like comfort more than price.

A simple 14 SEER will get you quiet a bit over the efficiency of a 20+ years system.

At best the A/C is 9 SEER and with an increase to 14 SEER that's "close" to a 55% increase in efficiency.

the furnace is probably 60/70% effcient at most being that old.......the minimum today is 80% and you can get as high as 96/97% efficient with fresh intake/exhaust setup.