Selecting a Furnace Brand....

[hcstraub]

Like many that come through here I am in search of information on furnaces. I was told today that my furnace has a cracked heat exchanger and faulty main valve. So I am in the market for a new furnace for my home, and since it is nice out I have time to make an informed decision.
I have read through the forum and read the articles on selecting an HVAC Company and how pros design systems. Very helpful and informative and plan on using that info for my purchase.
My issue is that I don't want to choose a brand just because the local guy sells American Standard. I am sure like any products, there are brands with better reputations and lots of options. I am looking for some guidance on selecting a brand once I have my system requirements identified.
Today, I looked at Amana, American Standard, Rheem, Lennox(current unit), and Goodman.
A little about my needs, 2200sf home in Minnesota (cold), 4 level split, I am more interested in comfort and less on cost/energy cost. I am looking at two stage systems. We are looking for a higher end unit.
Any guidance on resources would be appreciated.

[Mr Bill]

Ruud modulating furnace, this is absolutely the best furnace on the market.

[Mustang894me]

few thing to look for ... the name on the equipment dont mean squat if is installed inproperly. need to look at the company.. are they doing j manuals to make sure is it the right BTU are the looking at duct work making sure it can handle CFM ask for info from them look at the BBB see if there are complants about botched jobs.. ask friends and family what company they have used ask if there satisified with the install ... do research on the company

[Mustang894me]

Ruud modulating furnace, this is absolutely the best furnace on the market.

thay are nice .. they are more for comfort they will run longer at lower pressures and speeds depending on budget. but all in all make sure they size it for your house and not just putting a 80k btu in cuz that what they think you need

[seatonheating]

Ruud modulating furnace, this is absolutely the best furnace on the market.


Not sure I fully agree with that...but.


Bill is dead on with using modulating technology. Being that you have a 4 level home, you definitely want to look at a means of heating your home efficiently at varying heat loads.

My solution to that would be zoning coupled with the aforementioned modulating technology. Make sure the person you select is an expert on zoning and how modulating furnaces work in conjunction with zoned ductwork.

[hcstraub]

Not sure I fully agree with that...but.


Bill is dead on with using modulating technology. Being that you have a 4 level home, you definitely want to look at a means of heating your home efficiently at varying heat loads.

My solution to that would be zoning coupled with the aforementioned modulating technology. Make sure the person you select is an expert on zoning and how modulating furnaces work in conjunction with zoned ductwork.
Interesting....even in a house this small you would zone? I never even considered it zoning. I am reading up on the modulating technology now.

Mustang, thanks for the advice. I think I am going to choose 3 companies to get bids from and get references and check them. The company that put my AC unit in 17 years ago is still around and I was pleased with their work, they will be one.
Keep the options coming.

[Mustang894me]

My solution to that would be zoning coupled with the aforementioned modulating technology. Make sure the person you select is an expert on zoning and how modulating furnaces work in conjunction with zoned ductwork.

zoning isent a bad idea 2200 sf isent that small of a house and a zone control is a great idea ... no need to heat a whole house if your only in parts of it .. example.. bed rooms most people in them only to sleep no need to have it 68 deg all day ... but family room 68 all day and drop to 64 at nite when not in use is a great idea... zoning is nice if it is done right ...

[skippedover]

Heat rises and over 4-levels a modulating furnace might face some challenges on lower speeds. Having said that, I'd agree that zoning would be a plus, particularly if you or a future owner adds AC to the puzzle. Heat still rises in summer but the science of having the cool air source in the basement changes everything. So...I'd also recommend modulating. Whether this brand or that I think is irrelevant. Having said that however, I'd not consider any furnace with zones unless you are purchasing a complete package system from the manufacturer of the furnace. I've lost track of Trane but Carrier and Bryant both have excellent furnaces and zone control systems. Some manufacturers have the furnace but lack the sophisticated zone systems that really make them purr. So that's my $.02 worth.

[ibis1]

Ruud modulating furnace, this is absolutely the best furnace on the market.

Not according to Twilli! Twilli says Coleman! ibis1:eek2:

[Mr Bill]

Not according to Twilli! Twilli says Coleman! ibis1:eek2:

Twilli's opinion don't count, because he get all his info from:http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l286/mrbillpro/mr_know-it-all.jpg

[dash]

Not sure I fully agree with that...but.


Bill is dead on with using modulating technology. Being that you have a 4 level home, you definitely want to look at a means of heating your home efficiently at varying heat loads.

My solution to that would be zoning coupled with the aforementioned modulating technology. Make sure the person you select is an expert on zoning and how modulating furnaces work in conjunction with zoned ductwork.



Is there any VS furnace that is truly designed to work with zoning ,other then Carrier's Infinity,or Bryant's Evolution?

And zoning is almost a must for 4 levels.

[seatonheating]

Is there any VS furnace that is truly designed to work with zoning ,other then Carrier's Infinity,or Bryant's Evolution?

And zoning is almost a must for 4 levels.



With a static sensing modulating damper on a bypass zone, yes. No other way to do it in my opinion. Of course, I believe this modulating zone should always be as far away from the coil/heat exchanger as possible. In most cases at least 10 feet or more on the return. A close second for me would be a dump zone w/modulating damper in a central area that helps to condition all areas concerned.

[Twilly]

Twilli says the Rheem/Ruud mod works great with zoning.

[stinkmeaner]

Ruud modulating furnace, this is absolutely the best furnace on the market.

If that's true, then you can save more by getting the equivalent Century or ComfortAire furnace. They're the exact same thing as the Ruud/Rheem. They're made in the same factory. Look into it.

[Mr Bill]

My bad, I never saw were the OP said anything about zoning, stupid me,
I should get into a proof reading class. :D

[Twilly]

Twilli use to be proof reader

[Mr Bill]

Twilli use to be proof reader

Was it 90 proof?

[Twilly]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEZxtdesraU

[hvacmd]

We sell both Carrier(FAD)and Trane(TCS)and no,they don't like each other.I give the nod to Carrier Infinity Furnaces,and Trane XLI air conditioners,however since your in Minnesota your AC needs are minimal and well served by 13SEER.

[Mr Bill]

I like the new 95.1 Philco Infinity's with Demand Flow Technology™, it's just none of my customers can afford them up here in the Hill Country.

[BaldLoonie]

If that's true, then you can save more by getting the equivalent Century or ComfortAire furnace. They're the exact same thing as the Ruud/Rheem. They're made in the same factory. Look into it.

At this point, the Mod hasn't made its way into Heat Controller's product line. Maybe the new 97% model will.

[hcstraub]

Thanks guys....
I might be over doing it, but I am getting 4 quotes. All from recommended companies and all of them are measuring and seem to be doing it correctly. Frankly, they all seem very hungry for business right now.
The one company I like best so far has quoted an Amana AMV9 variable speed unit. I like the company, but the reviews I have read on the Amana have me gun shy. There are strong opinions both ways.
Do any of the companies offer labor as part of their warranty?
I do not need an AC unit, mine is fairly new and working great.

[Freezeking2000]

Thanks guys....
I might be over doing it, but I am getting 4 quotes. All from recommended companies and all of them are measuring and seem to be doing it correctly. Frankly, they all seem very hungry for business right now.
The one company I like best so far has quoted an Amana AMV9 variable speed unit. I like the company, but the reviews I have read on the Amana have me gun shy. There are strong opinions both ways.
Do any of the companies offer labor as part of their warranty?
I do not need an AC unit, mine is fairly new and working great.

I recommend you would only purchase a system from a contractor that can offer to you the factory 5 or 10 year parts and LABOR coverage most manufacturers offer. It shows they are a better contractor than one that does not offer any extended coverage.

[hcstraub]

I recommend you would only purchase a system from a contractor that can offer to you the factory 5 or 10 year parts and LABOR coverage most manufacturers offer. It shows they are a better contractor than one that does not offer any extended coverage.

The labor would be an additional extended warranty?

[workhc]

take a look at carriers infinity infinity system with the duel fuel heat pump, very nice system with the infinity controller.

[hivacer]

As far as the zoning, everything else in your house is zoned, when you hit the light switch at the front door do all your lights come on or just that one, and when you turn on your kitchen faucet do all your faucets come on or just that one? Point is if you are blasting your whole house with heat off of one switch (your tstat) you are wasting alot of energy and comfort, you need an hvac control in all areas of your home

[skippedover]

Zones in the HVAC trade, at the residential end of the market are primarily designed to balance the system. If someone wants to try and maintain different temperatures in different thermal zones, well it's their home and they can run it any way they want.

Regarding my earlier comment about zones, the Carrier/Bryant Infinity/Evolution systems do not require exotic ducting and the releif strategy that would normally involve a bypass damper is all programmed into the system. So theoretically, if you're going to feed 2 supply outlets with a furnace blower, even ramped down, will push the static high, then the damper system adjusts to allow some flow to other supply outlets to relieve the high static. That's the beauty of the system. No bypass needed. I have a 3-zone system in my home and it works like a charm. Never a harsh sound from any of the supply outlets, except at 1:00pm daily when the system checks the static pressures for each zone and the leak rate as far as the dampers too!! You can even check the static pressure readings for each zone on the User Interface. It's a great system if you know how to program it. Super quiet, super comfort. Hybrid heat. Good stuff!