Furnace replacement

[GlennD]

I live in a 980 sq foot town house in Anaheim, CA near Disneyland. This place was built in 1976 and as far as I can tell, the gas furnace is original.

The furnace says Day & Night on the front panel. The Model plate says it was built by BDP Company, a division of Carrier. The model is 500-19A and it is a 50K btu in and 40K btu out with a pilot.

The unit works ok and heats up my place. I am sure that the pilot costs me for the gas it uses. Would it be cost effective to replace considering the mild climate?

[Tiger93rsl]

I would look at upgrading your furnace it would end up paying for itself in the long run. Not to mention it's an investment that will add to the value of your home. Be sure and get at lest three bids before you make a decision.

[keviekev70]

With a high efficiency unit you would pay less to heat your home, for this to happen you have to find a contractor who knows excatly how to do the job right the first time. These contractor don't come cheap but it will be money well spent as far as cost effectiveness in the long run.

[George2]

I live in a 980 sq foot town house in Anaheim, CA near Disneyland. This place was built in 1976 and as far as I can tell, the gas furnace is original.

The furnace says Day & Night on the front panel. The Model plate says it was built by BDP Company, a division of Carrier. The model is 500-19A and it is a 50K btu in and 40K btu out with a pilot.

The unit works ok and heats up my place. I am sure that the pilot costs me for the gas it uses. Would it be cost effective to replace considering the mild climate?

Depending on the rebates and tax credits available I would first look into a furnace with a variable speed or a X13 motor. These come in 80 and 90+% AFUE.
In your area I think the motor eff. will have a bigger impact vs. the higher AFUE.

[hedtedjr]

If the unit is in otherwise good condition, I would contact a local HVAC company and ask them about converting the unit to direct spark ignition. There are several kits available to contractors and the savings is real. I have performed several of these conversions without any issues. Just my :.02:

[GlennD]

Thanks for the suggestion Hedted. I did not realize a conversion kit was possible. I do not think going a 90% unit is worth it. Last month was very cold and my gas bill was $42.

I will look into having my furnace inspected and upgraded.

[George2]

Thanks for the suggestion Hedted. I did not realize a conversion kit was possible. I do not think going a 90% unit is worth it. Last month was very cold and my gas bill was $42.

I will look into having my furnace inspected and upgraded.

Why would anyone put a nickel into a 35 yr. old furnace.

Get a new 80% with a X13 motor or variable speed (if you have A/C) motor and you'll be better off.


Get a 2 stage. It'll be quiet and give you great comfort.

[Diceman]

Do not "upgrade" your old POS furnace.
That heat exchanged is likely cracked somewhere.
So make sure its safe,if it is, run it till it breaks if ya want and then put in a new one.

[ask_eddie]

I would not consider "upgrading to spark ignition" . I havent ever seen a kit and I wouldnt install one on 35 year old furnace. As they tell me everything UL listed when it was produced, I wouldnt take the liablitiy of altering a furnace from its original design.
It's 35 years old, you should be able to see the safety issues and the benefits of installing a new furnace.

[JimmyM]

Why would anyone put a nickel into a 35 yr. old furnace.


Look at his gas bill, $42.00 for what was probably the coldest month of the year and this most likely included water heating and cooking. How long do you think it would take for a new unit to pay for itself in energy savings?

Have the heat exchanger inspected for cracks, keep it cleaned and serviced, and run it till your service tech tells you that it’s time to replace it.

As for the pilot light, I know that it’s annoying to see that little blue flame all the time but seriously it is probably using no more than one or two dollars of gas a month. Is it really worth spending the money to convert it to pilotless?

[GlennD]

Look at his gas bill, $42.00 for what was probably the coldest month of the year and this most likely included water heating and cooking. How long do you think it would take for a new unit to pay for itself in energy savings?

Have the heat exchanger inspected for cracks, keep it cleaned and serviced, and run it till your service tech tells you that it’s time to replace it.

As for the pilot light, I know that it’s annoying to see that little blue flame all the time but seriously it is probably using no more than one or two dollars of gas a month. Is it really worth spending the money to convert it to pilotless?

I think I will take your advise. You are right, The pilot is annoying but I guess I can live with it. Another project to put off!

[JimmyM]

Your going to take my advise?
That's a first!
Nobody has ever done before!

[Diceman]

ummmmmm..........I told him the same thing.:whistle:

[GlennD]

I just had a tune up on the furnace. It checked out fine and the repairman said I could get at least several years service from the unit.

He said I should run it until it breaks but not to put any money in such an old furnace.

Thanks for all of your advise.