Home heating/cooling companies.

**brianhos** · 11-15-2007, 04:42 PM

I posted in the "other" thread about getting some estimates for heating/cooling in DSM. My house is 10 years old, and it is about time to dump the crappy furnace they installed originally and get a new high efficiency furnace/AC.

There were a few others who PM'ed me and asked to create a thread on it because they were in similar situations, so here goes:

**brianhos** · 11-15-2007, 04:43 PM

I have called 72 in Ankeny, the suggested a Lennox 95% efficient and 16 SEER AC unit. Total cost :7800 with some rebates etc, got it down to $6500.

**brianhos** · 11-15-2007, 04:44 PM

Next up CityWide, they suggested some brand I never have heard of. EverRest, it was much cheaper, but I am skeptical because I have never heard of that brand. Total cost $5500.

**CYdTracked** · 11-15-2007, 04:44 PM

Oh wait, never mind...

**Cyclonepride** · 11-15-2007, 04:45 PM

If you are going to invest that much in a furnace, definitely go with a name brand.

**psycln11** · 11-15-2007, 04:46 PM

I always use Jerry's Heating and Cooling out of Ames.

I know the owner so he takes care of me.

Jerry's Heating & Cooling
(515) 292-3113

**TykeClone** · 11-15-2007, 04:48 PM

Originally Posted by brianhos

I have called 72 in Ankeny, the suggested a Lennox 95% efficient and 16 SEER AC unit. Total cost :7800 with some rebates etc, got it down to $6500.

Make sure that you get the 95% efficient furnace and at least 15 SEER AC to qualify for the energy savings tax credit. This is up to a $500 credit that is available when you file your taxes next spring.

Also make sure to get it installed this year so that you can get the tax credit - I think it goes away after 2007.

Treasury and IRS Provide Guidance for energy Credits for Homeowners

BTW - I replaced a fuel oil burner and an old AC this summer with a 95% efficient propane unit and a 15 SEER AC for a hair less than $6k, but my house is likely smaller than yours.

**bos** · 11-15-2007, 04:48 PM

Originally Posted by Cyclonepride

If you are going to invest that much in a furnace, definitely go with a name brand.

Or build your own. =)

**brianhos** · 11-15-2007, 04:48 PM

Originally Posted by Cyclonepride

If you are going to invest that much in a furnace, definitely go with a name brand.

Yeah that is one issue I have, I am going to want to at least buy something I have heard of. It is a pretty big amount of $$ to drop.

**CYVADER** · 11-15-2007, 04:49 PM

its only 1000 bucks more. go with the name brand

**DaddyMac** · 11-15-2007, 04:49 PM

Originally Posted by brianhos

I posted in the "other" thread about getting some estimates for heating/cooling in DSM. My house is 10 years old, and it is about time to dump the crappy furnace they installed originally and get a new high efficiency furnace/AC.

There were a few others who PM'ed me and asked to create a thread on it because they were in similar situations, so here goes:

Sorry I missed that.

I went through Wycoff back in 01. Got quotes from Bell Bros and and a handful of others. The others would dazzle you with numbers, measurements, this that and everything else. I'm sure it has it's place. In the end, the Wycoff guy actaully talked me OUT of a "High Effficiency" for my house. Said I really won't get the bang for the buck, nor really the "efficiency" because I have a smaller sq ft. I guess the savings comes from prolonged run times, that I won't have.

So for a guy to talk you down in cost, that's something. I hadn't done any negotiating or told him anything about other quotes.

As for the brand. Do a little research. I got an Armstrong which I believe is an off brand of Lenox. I guess this isn't uncommon. Consider it their generic line maybe. You hear it all the time in other industries. Amana is owned by Maytag. Ford owns Mercury (or however that goes). Point being, it might be a very reputable brand without the brand name.

As it is, mines worked quite well. (knock on wood). Good luck.

**DaddyMac** · 11-15-2007, 04:55 PM

Apparently this EverRest line is made by a manufacturer known as Goodman. One of the first review sites I came across had this

"Experts generally say that proper sizing, a reputable contractor and a long warranty are more important than the specific brand you choose. However, we found evidence in review literature from experts and homeowners and from interviews with thirteen contractors across the country suggesting that Goodman furnaces may not be the most reliable brand, or may be less reliable in the long run than brands such as Trane, Rheem and Bryant. Goodman also makes Janitrol and Amana brands. In owner surveys and forums, over half of furnace problems for Goodman products involved complete failure rather than a less catastrophic issue.

**brianhos** · 11-15-2007, 05:14 PM

Wow, thanks for the info DaddyMac...

**ahaselhu** · 11-15-2007, 05:19 PM

We just had a new furnace installed (the old one was leaking CO!), and we went with a Goodman. I saw the same thing DaddyMac did the day after we had it installed.

However, it also sounds like there are a lot of contractors out there that recommend Goodman as a reliable mid-range furnace. So it seems like a Goodman may go longer without issues, but most likely will need to be completely replaced if it fails.

I went through Kapaun and Brown in Ames, and I think they said they'd been installing Goodman's for 10 years without any problems.

**ahaselhu** · 11-15-2007, 05:24 PM

I'm not an expert on furnaces, but the other thing I found out when looking at furnaces was to make sure you have a load calculation done, to make sure that you don't get a furnace that is too big for your house. A big part of the inefficiency in furnaces comes from startup up. If you get a furnace that heats the house too quickly, it will be starting up and shutting down more frequently, and will be much less efficient than a lower capacity furnace.