Living in a 2400 sq. ft. house built in 1972. Want to replace the original Payne (Carrier) gas furnace with a new, more efficient model. Current unit is Mod. #100U-19A1, S/N 2376C15816, Series #121, rated at 100k BTU (don't know the efficiency). Can't justify A/C here in San Diego, so just looking for a 2 stage burner to keep rising costs at bay. Involuntarily retired so all costs are critical. Will install myself (did a half dozen HVAC installs earlier in NJ-say 1980-82). Considering Goodman (for initial price), Bryant (for the quality) and Rheem (a little more affordable). Comments, models, other choices, caveats, etc. (don't hesitate to be very frank)? :)

I have a Lenox G23Q3/4-125-2 forced air furnace. Last winter I had a problem where the combustion air blower would start, it would spark a couple times without lighting the burner. I read several message threads about this furnace having a poor ignition control. I replaced it with a new Honeywell ignition control and the furnace worked well without any more problems the remainder of the winter. The central air conditioning worked fine all summer. Now this fall we went to start the furnace and when the thermostat sends a signal for heat the combustion air blower does not start and there is no spark. The blower motor starts up immediately and runs instead. The thermostat is set at heat/auto. Any suggestions? thanks