On 29 Sep 2004 15:33:06 -0700, (Rotation
Slim) wrote:

My furnace and AC are both about 15 years old, I think they are on
their last legs, so I am thinking about replacing them. AC struggles
mightilly to keep up in warm weather, leaks the water that it takes
out of the air. Furnace is just old, although no major problems.
I wouldn't call 15 years "old". Of course that's just me. If you
were talking 20-25 that'd be old.

I live in a 4 bedroom, 2 story colonial, I think 2000 square feet.
Have 7 kids so doors are never shut. Live in Michigan, cold winters,
humid summers. Don't want the kids growing up soft.. so I don't feel
the need to run AC all the time, just a few weeks a summer when it is
really hot and humid. Forced air/Natural gas.

Have a few questions:

* Is it wise to replace because it it old, or should I wait until a
breakdown? (I happen to have cash on hand now, may or may not have
cash in future when it breaks down)

I'd fix the ac and hang on a bit longer.
\
* Is it likely that a new unit would be more effient and start saving
me significant money? (that is part of my thinking on replacing it
now, instead of waiting, any validity in that avenue of thought)

Depends. The old one may be 80%, some of the new ones can hit 95%;
look at your gas bill and see what the difference would be. Air
conditioners may be better also, but if you don't run it much you
won't save much.

* I get from a few general conversations that I should avoid the super
efficient models for some reason, what is the thinking there?

I've heard that too. Some think they fail more. I've had one for
seven years, it has never had a problem.

* Any general recomendations on considerations when looking at AC?
* Is there any advantage in replacing both AC and Heater together?


I'd do the whole thing at once, the old ac may not fit in a new
furnace.