"Harry Muscle" wrote in message
oups.com...
I'm in the process of deciding which furnace to get to
replace my
existing furnace which is ready to die. I've been told that
high
efficiency furnaces are not really worth it since they cost
more up
front and they cost more in repair costs in the long run so
in the end
high efficiency vs normal efficiency will have cost about
the same, but
the high efficiency will have broken down more often due to
it's
complexity. This makes sense ... but I have one more quick
question.
Are dual stage furnaces quite complex and prone to break
down also?

I've thinking of maybe getting a 80% dual stage furnance
which would be
a bit more efficient than a single stage 80% furnance. But
I'm
wondering if it's worth it. Would a dual stage 80% furnace
be as
complicated as a 90%+ furnace? Are the parts just as
expensive to
replace/repair as a high efficiency furnace? Or in other
words should
I stay away from dual stage furnaces for the same reason I
would stay
away from a high efficiency furnace (high repair costs,
higher chance
of break down).

Thanks,
Harry


Id go with a single stage 80% furnace myself.

If you really want to save money install two systems...one for
the night time sleeping areas, and for the day time living
areas... install set back thermostats on each system so the
HVAC gets set high in bedrooms during the day, and the living
areas get set low at night (these settings can be easily
overridden when needed)

If you want to save more money, fit matress warmers to your
beds, and you can set the temp to 50F at night no problem.

Be sure to undersize both systems slightly..they operate more
efficiently when maxed out.

Install the furnaces in places where they can be yanked out
with great ease so maintenance is not a problem. Insulate
the ducts well, tape all the seams and flanges well, use duct
seal in a caulking tube.

Rheem makes a pretty good unit these days. but brand is not
as critical with furnaces as with some other items.







Phil Scott
HVAC contractor/ mech engineer since 1911