Furnace Preference - 2 Choices

[daytonknight]

I've visited this site several time trying to get a better handle on updating my hvac. I've got two bids from different companies about installing a new furnace. (my blower motor locked up, and it's a 20+ year old furnace so I'm going to bite the bullet and get a new one rather than nursing an old one.) The central air is still working fine and only about 9-10 years old, so I am not replacing it right now.

Both companies are quite reputable. But they are offering different units so it's a tough call for me. I live in central Ohio, the house is about 900 sq ft on slab with ducting through the attic. In case that helps determine the better system.

My primary concerns are reliability, ease of maintenance and performance of the units. The prices quoted are close enough that it is a non-issue. I really just need opinions from those who know the business.

The 2 units are:
Trane
TUD2A060A
60k btu's

and

Lennox
ML180VH070P
70k btu's

Thank you for your time, thoughts and opinions on this.

[Danimal535]

Did any of them do a load calc?

[skidoox800]

both high efficiency? single stage? Variable speed motors? Look at your cost difference to. You cant list price here with rules as im sure you know.

[daytonknight]

Did any of them do a load calc?
No, but I live in a neighborhood of cookie cutter houses. I would presume they provided the size based on past experience.

both high efficiency? single stage? Variable speed motors? Look at your cost difference to. You cant list price here with rules as im sure you know.
They are mid-efficiency, from what I've read here and researched elsewhere there would not be a benefit to high efficiency based on the size of the house. Not sure about the variable speed motor. Not wanting to list the prices as I stated they are close enough to each other the price is irrelevant.

[hvacvegas]

Not wanting to list the prices as I stated they are close enough to each other the price is irrelevant.

If your pricing is the same, and it sounds like the features are the same, then you need to look at the contractors (which is usually looked at first, instead of second, but it's ok).

Do some research on both companies.
Your gonna hate to hear me say this, but don't trust the BBB. In my opinion, their a lying shakedown operation, that gave HAMAS a A+ (true story).

Call up your friends.

I would ask for a heat load to be preformed on the houses. Alot of times, companies look at the existing sizing.

What if the sizing was done wrong to begin with?
What if you don't have the correct sized ductwork?
What if I told you, that through using the correct sized equitment, I could make your Furnace whisper quiet, lower your energy bills, and even out the temperatures throughout your house?

[Danimal535]

60,000 may be larger than you need

[stonewallred]

Eh, ask about upgrading the old AC to the new units later on.
Ask about repairs out of warranty.
Ask each company what it would cost to replace the heat exchanger, the blower motor the control board and every other piece you can think of.
I don't like one brand you listed and dislike the other, but as a homeowner you need to be concerned with not only price to install, but repair costs also, both labor and parts.
All equipment fails.
You have a "x" + "y" thing here.
Installation and repair/maintenance down the road.
I'd rather have a "less prestigious" brand installed into a well designed duct system, backed by a quality company (contractor, not brand) than a "prestigious" brand installed by jacklegs.
Physics don't lie.
Equipment doesn't really matter.
Trust, quality, repair costs and good design do.

[johnbeck1000]

60,000 may be larger than you need

I'm new to this site and I'm ten years in the trade but I don't have the slightest on load calcs but would like to learn. What is the best way to learn? Are there classes or should I just get a book and read? I remember in trade school going over it but that was 12 years ago and I haven't done it since.

The reason I ask this is because I have a 2200 sq ft house and I have a 60k btuh furnace and it heats just fine but I live in a very mild climate and I'm sure central Ohio is much colder.

[daytonknight]

If your pricing is the same, and it sounds like the features are the same, then you need to look at the contractors (which is usually looked at first, instead of second, but it's ok).

Do some research on both companies.
Your gonna hate to hear me say this, but don't trust the BBB. In my opinion, their a lying shakedown operation, that gave HAMAS a A+ (true story).

Call up your friends.

I would ask for a heat load to be preformed on the houses. Alot of times, companies look at the existing sizing.

What if the sizing was done wrong to begin with?
What if you don't have the correct sized ductwork?
What if I told you, that through using the correct sized equitment, I could make your Furnace whisper quiet, lower your energy bills, and even out the temperatures throughout your house?
Hey hvacvegas, you're right down 75 from me so you know the climate. From some online calcs, I've found the size should be about 45k btu, but with the house being on a slab with ducts in the ceiling I presumed it needed to be a little more powerful thus the 60 and 70k btu units. The house was built in the early to mid 50's and originally had a 'gravity' furnace. I actually grew up in a house just like it. There were no ducts just a couple vents around the furnace to heat the rooms. I think this house was probably retro fitted in the mid 80's to 90's with a forced air unit. I'm sure the ducts are probably not right, but looking at them as a non-pro I couldn't tell you.

Both companies have good reputations and I've either worked with them or know people that have in the past. One is a 'franchise' and one an independent. The warranty on the Trane is 10 yr parts, 1 yr labor and lifetime on the heat exchanger. The Lennox is 1 yr parts and labor and 10 years on the heat exchanger.

[HVACTechNC]

I'm new to this site and I'm ten years in the trade but I don't have the slightest on load calcs but would like to learn. What is the best way to learn? Are there classes or should I just get a book and read? I remember in trade school going over it but that was 12 years ago and I haven't done it since.

The reason I ask this is because I have a 2200 sq ft house and I have a 60k btuh furnace and it heats just fine but I live in a very mild climate and I'm sure central Ohio is much colder.

I dont know if it is the same in other states, but in NC you can pick up a copy of the Manual J from the local building code and inspections department. Doing manual load calcs is a long, challenging process to say the least. The best option is to look at some of the computer programs out there that can be a big help. There is a link up top to one that is a sponsor here, as well as a few others that you can find online pretty easily...

[johnbeck1000]

I dont know if it is the same in other states, but in NC you can pick up a copy of the Manual J from the local building code and inspections department. Doing manual load calcs is a long, challenging process to say the least. The best option is to look at some of the computer programs out there that can be a big help. There is a link up top to one that is a sponsor here, as well as a few others that you can find online pretty easily...

thanks, I'll have a look in my area for some information