Building with Shane Homes - Furnace Recommendations?

[juwantme]

Shane Homes standard furnace is the Carrier 59sc2 and I was asked if we wanted to upgrade. Not knowing too much about this brand and model, those that do have the standard furnace how do you find it, does it heat your home well, quiet, etc? The upgrade is the Carrier 59TN6. The biggest differences between the two is the upgrade is 96% efficiency and has 2 stages for heat delivery whereas the standard is 92% efficiency and has only 1 stage for heat delivery. I am not sure if the upgrade is worth the $2700 upgrade so I am curious if I can get away with the standard. Thanks

[avishal26]

What is the sq ft you will be heating? and how many levels?

I think the extra 4% efficiency is the only real benefit - not sure if its worth $2,700.

Found this on google:

http://homerenovations.about.com/od/...f-Furnaces.htm

I don't believe everything in that article because for a single stage furnace in my 1930sqft house, I've never seen my temperature fluctuate more than 1 deg C. from target. And it never drops below target, even on really cold -30 days.

[killramos]

Lets just do the marth?

Lets call heating 150 a month average.

Your 4% will save you 6 dollars a month on average(actually an overestimate due to fees etc). Putting 0% IRR payback at 37.5 years. The average furnace needs to be replaced at ~15-20 years.

Knowing you saved 4% of greenhouse gas emissions. Priceless.

If you disagree with my heating cost number just multiply it, it wont change anything. Unless you are a fan of open windows 365 days a year this isn't going to save you money. And a more advanced furnace will cost more to repair.

Just make sure the base furnace is rated appropriately for the square footage. If it isn't i would be making your builder upgrade it for free lol.

Of course you can also be betting on gas to go to 50 dollars /MMBTU. In which case i can find you some better investments for your 2,700 dollars.

[G]

Builders are getting pretty creative at finding ways to upsell.

[benyl]

I upgraded for the variable motor and burner.

I never hear my furnace kick in.

It gradually heats and increases the fan as required.

I only got a single stage air-conditioner. Fuck. When it is on, you know it if fucking on because it runs the fan at full. Pay back on a 2-stage AC was 20+ years. I said fuck it as we spend more time heating our houses than cooling them.