How efficient was a vintage 1986 Bryant gas furnace? Any votes for Rheem or Ruud?

[shovel99]

Hi Guys, I just bought a two story house that has two systems, downstairs is a museum piece.... the original gas furnace by Bryant installed in 1986, still working but I am guessing it is one reason for high gas bills shared by the sellers.

What efficiency do you suppose it was/is? I plan to do a load calc before replacing (Input, apparently 75,000 for a single floor with unfinished and unconditioned space below and heated cooled space above.... approx 1300 SF on this unit's floor. When we get moved and the rest of the hassle behind us I will replace it with something higher efficiency.

The oversized GMH95 I installed in my current home is pretty noisy, partly because of too much air being forced through old (small) ducts.

After the load calc, I am leaning toward a Rheem Super Quiet 80... or the 95 equivalent. Any of you pros recommend that brand?

THanks

Shovel99

[BaldLoonie]

Between 65 and 90% depending on model.

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[shovel99]

Thanks BL, shovel99

[wahoo]

If you're replacing, simply go with the 95% unit. For no more than it cost extra, you'll not only get better efficiency, you'll usually get a longer/better warranty. Energy costs will keep going up, you can count on it!

[ThankfulLady]

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[beenthere]

ThankfulLady, this is the Ask Our Pro's forum, and only Pro members that have been vetted by the AOPC may post advise, commentary or ask questions of the OP here.

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[allan38]

All brands have their enthusiasts and their detractors. Ford - First On Race Day or Found On Road Dead.

I like Ruud/Rheem equipment. In reality, all equipment breaks eventually. Most modern heating and ac equipment is pretty good, there is always the possibility of a design change that later develops issues.

High energy costs could be the old furnace, something else or a combination of factors.
Many times high utility bills are caused by leaking ductwork. I've read studies that concluded a 15% duct leak rate can increase energy costs by 25%.
A poorly insulated home or one that is poorly sealed can cause contribute to high energy bills.
The two story home will also suffer from the stack effect, heat rises and leaves the building. As the warm air rises it will pull in cooler outside air through the leaky building structure if the warm air leaks out the top.

As a service technician, I've met customers who raved about how low their utility bills were after getting a new system. Most of them also had their ducts sealed, better insulation installed in the attic, new weatherstripping on the doors and solar screens on the windows.

I've also had customers remark they didn't get the expected drop in energy bills they expected with a new system. After checking their home out, I discovered they had inadequate insulation, leaky ducts and no weatherstripping at the doors. Their contractor didn't offer to serve them other than offering them a higher seer ac unit and a more efficient furnace.

Frequently a modest increase in AC and heating efficiency coupled with fixing the issues with the home will halve utility bills.

[motoguy128]

Good to hear you understand the need for proper sizing. It impacts comfort and equipment effciency, and will reduce equipment life. The fastest way to kill a furnace or compressor is low airflow. Keep your filter cahnged and coils clean and install and size it right, and most systems will last a long time.

[skippedover]

This is just a curious question to the poster but given the Bryant furnace is over 30-years old and still working, why the desire to switch manufacturers? As others have said, directly or indirectly, the success of the installation is more dependent on the installing company that the furnace manufacturer but all else being equal, why would you not want another Bryant? Or why did you not ask about Carrier, Trane, Lennox, York? Just curious as to the reasoning, that's all.