Furnace Question

[tefleming]

The furnace in the house I'm buying is on the fritz. I've gotten an estimate ($700ish) to replace the Inducer Motor.

Furnace is about 15 years old. So, is there any sense in fixing it? With all the tax credits going around for people to buy new, is there anywhere to buy a gently used furnace on the cheap?

I saw one or two furnaces on Craigslist - how does one go about getting a furnace (and AC) picked up, moved, and installed? (would a regular HVAC contractor be willing to do something like this?)

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

You need to do a little research on your specific furnace first. The inducer motors I've replaced have been around the $200 to $250 mark. $500 for labor seems a tad high.

 

[Analog]

You need to be careful on a used furnace. The heat exchanger must not be cracked, or you're looking at carbon monoxide. The BTUs are important, as well as the fan CFM. Do your homework based on your house, its ductwork, insulation etc. New furnaces with high efficiency are a good investment if you plan on staying in your house or resale value. I would be very suspicious about any 2nd hand furnace, regardless of what you save.

 

[seemingly random]

An efficient furnace is very noticeable. Some years ago, I went from a ~70% to 90% gas furnace. The difference was incredible. I didn't have to replace the outside a/c which saved on the total cost. This was in ohio so there was no heat pump.

With my limited experience, I'd say that if the current furnace is not at least 90% efficient, it's a no-brainer. The cost will probably be the deciding factor - and how long you intend to keep the house.

 

[Vette73]

Chances are the old one is only 75%. Law now is 78%+ with some in the mid/upper 90% range.

So if staying 3+ years then I would upgrade.

 

[tefleming]

Originally posted by: Analog
You need to be careful on a used furnace. The heat exchanger must not be cracked, or you're looking at carbon monoxide. The BTUs are important, as well as the fan CFM. Do your homework based on your house, its ductwork, insulation etc. New furnaces with high efficiency are a good investment if you plan on staying in your house or resale value. I would be very suspicious about any 2nd hand furnace, regardless of what you save.

Ductwork is crap - needs to be replaced. Insulation is likely non-existent (house was built in the 50's and was never extensively renovated.)

I don't really want to drop a bunch of cash on a new furnace. I'm either going to have to add on to the house or sell it as a tear-down on about the five year time frame. (No point investing in a 15+ year furnace, if the house might be torn down in 5)

Also seems risky dropping cash on a furnace suitable for a 2000sft house (when it's currently on 1000 - and might be torn down).

 

[SandEagle]

Originally posted by: MagnusTheBrewer
You need to do a little research on your specific furnace first. The inducer motors I've replaced have been around the $200 to $250 mark. $500 for labor seems a tad high.

this. search online for a cheap inducer motor or find another hvac shop. 700 is crazy. i had an inducer motor and circuit board changed on a furnace that was 18-20 years old. cost me about $350 from a local hvac company.

check http://www.servicemagic.com

 

[tefleming]

Originally posted by: SandEagle

Originally posted by: MagnusTheBrewer
You need to do a little research on your specific furnace first. The inducer motors I've replaced have been around the $200 to $250 mark. $500 for labor seems a tad high.

this. search online for a cheap inducer motor or find another hvac shop. 700 is crazy. i had an inducer motor and circuit board changed on a furnace that was 18-20 years old. cost me about $350 from a local hvac company.

check http://www.servicemagic.com

It's a Trane - don't know more right now. I'd ballparked Trane Inducer Motors and they seemed to be more in the 200ish ballpark. Wasn't how much labor goes into that sorta repair.

 

[spidey07]

You're going to have to make a value decision. Trane and Carrier are running 1000 buck rebates, couple that with the tax credits you could be looking at 2500 bucks.

If you don't think you'll recover the money in vs. money out by selling then just repair it. It really all just depends on what you're going to do in the long term.

 

[SandEagle]

by the way, why not consider getting a home warranty (e.g. American Shield)? I pay $40/month and have all my appliances, furnace, plumbing covered. Got a new central AC over the summer at no cost. Definitely worth it and gives you peace of mind...