New HVAC

[daddyo]

So, I find out today that my 16-yr old Rheem unit needs $1600-$2000 worth of repairs (new coil), so I'm having someone come out today and quote me a price on a new one.

Woot!!

Edited April 24, 2012 by DaddyO

[Garufa]

Went through the exact same thing a few years ago. Got the whole shebang replaced with new, more energy efficient units. Then energy prices started jumping.

[daddyo]

When I had this one installed, it replaced a heat pump with gas heat, and you know what happened? Natural gas prices started skyrocketing. So this time I've been in a quandry about whether to stay with gas or to go back to a heat pump. Guess it really doesn't matter much as whichever way I go will end up costing me more. Kinda like always getting in the slowest line at the grocery store.

Oh well, my dad told me that when I was born, one of the nurses gave me a shot of bad luck.

[mikegideon]

I'm about due. Mine is over 15 years old. It's been fixed a bunch of times.

[LI0NSFAN]

Just had mine repaired last week. Home warrenty forked out $3000 but it only cost me $60. I will be renewing that warrenty.

When I had this one installed, it replaced a heat pump with gas heat, and you know what happened? Natural gas prices started skyrocketing. So this time I've been in a quandry about whether to stay with gas or to go back to a heat pump. Guess it really doesn't matter much as whichever way I go will end up costing me more. Kinda like always getting in the slowest line at the grocery store.

Oh well, my dad told me that when I was born, one of the nurses gave me a shot of bad luck.

If you have space do propane and fill the tank in August. The prices are significantly cheaper then. My Uncle switched to propane and he has 8 of the 40# tanks and keeps them in the garage and switches them out as needed so he can fill up when gas is cheap.

[Guest 6.8 AR]

Natural gas prices will probably be very competitive against a heat pump because of increasing costs

within TVA. I will stay with natural gas when mine goes. we're in a glut of it nowadays.

[JPR1959]

I went heat pump years ago and did not like it. The heat out of the unit was never really warm enough and the house felt cold because of it. You'd have to use a ground source heat pump when it got really cold, if not when it gets below freezing, it won't be very efficient heatwise.

I also have a home warranty and would recommend it if you have an elderly HVAC system.

[enfield]

I have a heat pump, which has great AC and poor heat, plus gas logs for cold mornings. I like the combination.

[peejman]

Given the option, I'll take gas heat every time. This area is right on the edge of where heat pumps are effective in the winter. You won't find them much further north. The heat pump + gas logs is a good option. A dual-fuel heat pump is also available. It runs as a heat pump until temp drops below a set point, when it switches to gas.

Setting the air handler (fan) to "on" to keep the air moving in the house will make the unit more efficient. The power consumed by running the fan 24/7 is more than offset by the reduced "on time" of the heat/AC. Get a programmable thermostat that automatically adjusts the temp through the day. They can also limit the number of cycles per hour which helps the unit live longer.

Edited April 25, 2012 by peejman

[Parrothead]

Shoot me a message if you have any questions. I'm in the hvac business