Thinking about Rheem or...

[qaz]

Well I once had an AMANA ATM then it died. So I next installed a Lennox Complete Heat (still working knock wood) but, Lennox stopped supporting them a few years ago so there is no Lennox product in my future. I'm thinking about eventually replacing it with a Rheem gas furnace and an on demand gas hot water heater for my 1950's split level 2,000 square foot ranch house in the northeast. What do the pro's here think about Rheem products? Any model preferences? Their website has so many it's a little over whelming trying to compare them. Also open for suggestions on other makes but, really looking at Rheem products at this point.

[catmanacman]

the best one is the one that is properly sized and properly installed I would want a ECM motor and at least 2stages of heat and depending on the price of gas at least 90 % efficient.

[BaldLoonie]

If you want comfort, you want the Modulating furnace. RGFE which is under 95% or the new RGFG which is 95% and qualifies for the tax credit. Both can be used with the communicating thermostat for most control or the blue touchscreen 412 which also modulates the level of heat based on the HOUSE NEEDS, not what a board thinks you need.

With me, the jury is still out on demand water heaters. Annual maintenance costs and potentially large repair bills would likely offset any gas savings.

[Mr Bill]

Rheen/Ruud may not be considered the best by some, but trust me you can't go wrong buying any of there equipment, been selling it since the late 80's with minimal callbacks.

[flanders]

:ditto:

Haven't been selling them since the 80s but I like them as well.

[qaz]

If you want comfort, you want the Modulating furnace. RGFE which is under 95% or the new RGFG which is 95% and qualifies for the tax credit. Both can be used with the communicating thermostat for most control or the blue touchscreen 412 which also modulates the level of heat based on the HOUSE NEEDS, not what a board thinks you need.

With me, the jury is still out on demand water heaters. Annual maintenance costs and potentially large repair bills would likely offset any gas savings.

Thanks for the replies. After my experience with the Amana and Lennox Complete Heat systems I'm not sure I want to try anything "new" without a good track record. Though the Lennox CH system was installed in 1998 and after a board failure and a small tank leak has been working well for the past few years.:whistle: The reason I'm leaning tor a tankless is because I have a 4 x 3 foot jaccuzzi tub that I occassionally use and I've gotten use to the unlimited hot water from the CH to fill it. Also this is a single household and at other times my hot water needs are minimal as I spend a lot of time away. So the tankless seems to a better fit than a large water heater tank.

[wahoo]

Looks like you've been bit twice, once by the Amana HTM unit and again by the Lennox Completeheat. Both units were unique, and didn't prove out well IMO, but you have stuck out yourself trying something "new". Sadly new is not always "proven", just new. Get the best equipment, with the longest warranty, from the best dealer. Can't go wrong then. The Amana company that made that HTM unit is no longer the same company, but then again, Rheem makes some good stuff.:.02:

[BaldLoonie]

The RGFE is about the same machine as Rheem has been selling for 10+ years, just a different board. The RGFG has changed so haven't heard if all the bugs are out of it or not. Our supplier is just getting it. Rheem is pretty good at putting out a finished product. I think they learned their lesson with the RGEC drum in 1990 :gah:

[wahoo]

Looking back it seems a LOT of furnace companies "rushed" into the high efficiency market without a lot of long life testing. They felt the need to offer a product much more than testing the life of the product. A lot of expensive lessons were learned however not entirely at the manufacturer's expense. We (the contractors) paid part of this expense, and sadly the customers paid the majority of it. And even more sad is the fact that some are still paying for it today!!