Noobie question about new HVAC system?

Hey guys/gals, fyi I have no experience with this, so bear with me! Also, not 100% sure where I should post this... BUT:

My old central air unit just died on me and I am having it replaced with a 16-seer Goodman 2-ton unit by a friend's brother-in-law. That being said, I still have my old 1986 Lennox Pulse furnace.

When I moved into my house the home inspector told me that the Lennox Pulse was waay ahead of its time and the "Cadillac" of furnaces in the 80s, but now that I'm getting a new high efficiency AC unit, should I replace the 25+ year old furnace with a HE unit??

If so, any recommendations?

 

No one can say for certain when your furnace will "die", however if it's over 25 years old, you're likely running on borrowed time. I replaced my 30 year old furnace a few years ago with a 95% efficiency modulating furnace for two reasons. First, I was afraid that the old furnace might die on me during the dead of winter, and secondly, the 95% efficiency would save me a significant amount of money on my heating bill (old furnace was ~70% efficiency). While it's impossible to say with certainty (winter months are different from year to year), I estimate that my heating bill is now ~75% of what it used to be.

You might ask the installer what the cost difference would be between installing both a new furnace & A/C at the same time versus replacing the furnace later. It is more "efficient" (labor wise) to replace both at the same time rather than one or the other), but I don't know in $$ what the difference would be.

 

FYI, your new High Efficiency a/c is 2 stage and will not operate properly with your old furnace (single stage). The a/c should only be installed with a MATCHED furnace or equivalent.

Your old furnace uses a positive pressure heat exchanger and is very dangerous if it leaks. The heat exchanger should be pressure checked EVERY year by a certified Lennox tech who has the proper pressure test kit. Your current furnace is roughly 90% efficient.

 

Thanks for the info, I decided to get the furnace replaced then. I'm going with a Goodman as well, since this guy swears by them. Kind of want a Lennox since the last one lasted 27 years and is still going strong.

 

Goodman yea id keep shopping

 

It does seem that the opinions of goodman are split down the middle. That's what my guy recommended as being the best for the price, and they DO have a 10 year warranty... we shall see!

I am getting the 16-seer 2 ton ac unit installed with the condenser, slab, lineset, and coil fully installed, with a 2 stage furnace (96% efficient) with a variable speed motor.

All installed with old stuff hauled away for 4800$ I am in the Chicago area. Is this a good price? Like I said I'm new to this, but its a co-workers brother-in-law's company.

 

While prices vary depending upon where you live, that sounds like a decent price for high efficiency furnace and A/C units installed.

 

Sounds like a very good price for your area....I'd be scared that it sounds too good to be true. Good luck to you. Make sure that you have a warranty.

 

Most all equipment has a 10 year warranty.

 

MY two cents and only my two cents. Most company's that sell this low end equipment do bad installs. A bad install on any equipment will spell trouble. Thats why I tell people to pick a good quality brand. It will take out at least some of the hacks. Saying that your friends brother in law might do great work.

 

Goodman furnaces are good & when installed properly on a good duct system the A/C are okay.

Everything needs to be done RIGHT on an A/C install.

 

Well its all installed now. New furnace is SUPER quiet compared to the old pulse. Seems to be working great. I do notice that the ac seems to be cooling much slower than my old one. The house can't get below 72 when before Iccould get it in the 60s. Plus it take much longer to get cool as well.

I turned on the heat and got my hair blown back. The house heated up 5 degrees in about 2 minutes (yes it's still warm out) but with the ac it takes about an hour for every degree.