Heating unit capacity question..??

[epcmart]

Hi,
I live in N. CA and am having my furnace replaced by Home Warranty company. My original Furnace was ~36yrs old Payne 80K BTU.
the Home Warranty company is going to install a 70K BTU furnace with 80% efficiency which will give a total output of 56K BTUs. They are saying that older 80K BTU was probably not even 60% efficient so newer one will have same output and be more energy efficient. what would you guys say..??
the house is 1500sq ft. and has 7 heat outlets/vents.

Also, the local HVAC company that came out gave me a quote of ~$800 in non-covered charges which include building a new plenum, return, flue, new gas and electrical line hookups etc..!!
Are thses charges normal and if i am getting ripped off..??

thanks in advance..!!

[Jultzya]

To answer the first question, I would choose the furnace that was picked on the facts of a proper Load Calculation.

To answer your second question, nope... can't do it... did you read the RULES (http://www.hvac-talk.com/vbb/showthread.php?threadid=1241)!?!?

[Wild Leg]

re: Capacity?

Yes, he's probably on the right track.

A heat loss calculation should be a routine part of sizing the furnace, though, instead of basing the size on whatever was already there.

re: "extras"?

I would make a call to the home warranty company.
If they are paying AND you are paying, then somebody got overpaid.

The items, even if not covered, should still be replaced.

A gas furnace is not a good place to cut corners.