furnace - keep old or buy new

[jjtohio]

I have a 20 year old Rheem 80% furnace which had some recent repairs -- a new electronic control box, a new draft inducer and some shields that were installed on the front part of the heat exchanger where the burner flames are the most intense.

I'm not sure how much longer I'll be in this house -- maybe four more years. If I knew that I would be staying here for a long time then I'd go ahead and replace my aging Rheem with a nice dual stage variable speed +90% unit.

If I'm not going to stay here much longer, and decide to get a new furnace, then I'd rather pay extra for a furnace that is quieter than for one that is more efficient. Is there such a thing as an 80% furnace that is as quiet as a +90% multi-stage variable speed ? If there is and it costs halfway between a single stage 80% and a top end +90% than that is something I'd be very interested in.

I'm also wondering about the odds of my present furnace lasting another four years. Does my habit of keeping the thermostat pretty low increase the odds of it having a longer life ? Will the new parts help it last longer ?

Any thoughts / comments would sure be appreciated !

[phinncraft]

i would change it out because it will pay for it salef in 4 to 7 years also when you sell the house you can say you hav e a good furnace. lots of times i have changed out a furnace for a home owner after they go to sell there house
and the home inspector tells the realtor to change it out.so why not enjoy the furnace and the gas saveing now?
more then likely you will have to any way.you will really enjoy the comfort of a two stage type a lot more even temp in the house

[Chill]

Sure you can get a vs 80% even multi-stage if you want. Price would be less than a 90 and more than a 80.

As far as your 20 year old furnace, no one can tell how long it will last. especially not being there and seeing it. I would be sure to check the heat exchanger every year to make sure it is safe.

[2hot2coolme]

Originally posted by Chill
Sure you can get a vs 80% even multi-stage if you want. Price would be less than a 90 and more than a 80.

As far as your 20 year old furnace, no one can tell how long it will last. especially not being there and seeing it. I would be sure to check the heat exchanger every year to make sure it is safe.


Works for me. I have nothing else to say....

[devnull]

Originally posted by phinncraft
i would change it out because it will pay for it salef in 4 to 7 years...

Is a multi-stage furnace really that much cheaper to run that it would pay for itself within 7 years? I've been considering a new furnace, but didn't realize the savings could be that significant.

[BaldLoonie]

2 stage doesn't save you gas, just gives you more comfort. I'd probably go basic 90 as well. Most of them are very quiet and would save you some good bucks on gas plus be a good selling point when you do move.

[docholiday]

in your case,given your plans I'd replace it with the Rheem super quiet 80. You can go two stage variable speed if you want. Otherwise if the old one is still working and the HX is solid, take your wife on vacation instead.

[jjtohio]

It sounds like there is such a thing as a 80% with either variable speed blower and/or multi-stages. It's overwhelming trying to go through the product lines for the different manufacturers to figure out what is what so I was not sure if these even existed.

I read the Rheen 'Super Quiet 80' RGPN series specification sheet and tried to pick out the design features which made it quieter. It looks like it's a one stage and with a regular A/C blower motor. From what I can tell the features that make it quieter are having a 'unique solid door design which leads to quiet operation', a 'slow-open gas valve and a specially designed draft inducer motor to make it one of the quietest furnaces on the market'.

You can download a specification sheet from this link: Super Quiet 80 RGPN Series (http://www.rheemac.com/products/ProductInfo.aspx?XSL_File=rheemac_product_profile. xsl&Market=Residential&SectionVar=Heating&Category=Gas%20Furnaces&SpecificModel=RGPN)

Rheem also has a 'Quiet 80' RGPP series and this specification sheet does not say anything about a 'unique solid door design' or a 'slow open gas valve'. Quiet 80 RGPP Series (http://www.rheemac.com/products/ProductInfo.aspx?XSL_File=rheemac_product_profile. xsl&Market=Residential&SectionVar=Heating&Category=Gas%20Furnaces&SpecificModel=RGPP)

So my question at this point is are these Rheem 'quiet' 80s going to be much quieter than my current 20 year old Rheem 80 ?

[tmi116]

if installed properly balanced properly any new furnace will be quieter than your 20 yr old furnace. if you just have somebody slap in a new furnace and they dont take the time to seal the duct make sure it has enough return adjust the velocity dampers than no it wont be quietr