Our 14 year old Byrant Plus 90 furnace has been diagnosed with a
failing blower motor. The cost to have a new motor installed is $800.
The tech suggested that rather than replacing the motor, we consider
purchasing a new furnace, because it has been his experience that the
replacement blower motors have some sort of conflict with the circuit
boards in the furnace. He added that 12 to 15 years of life was typical
for this type of furnace, so a replacement furnace at this time was not
unusual.

If we were to replace the furnace, is there another brand that might
have a longer average lifespan than 12 to 15 years? Or is 12 to 15
years of use typical for all forced air, high efficiency gas furnaces,
regardless of maker?

Is everything else working o.k.? Get another opinion. And another.

Lena

wrote:
Our 14 year old Byrant Plus 90 furnace has been diagnosed with a
failing blower motor. The cost to have a new motor installed is $800.
The tech suggested that rather than replacing the motor, we consider
purchasing a new furnace, because it has been his experience that the
replacement blower motors have some sort of conflict with the circuit
boards in the furnace. He added that 12 to 15 years of life was
typical for this type of furnace, so a replacement furnace at this
time was not unusual.

If we were to replace the furnace, is there another brand that might
have a longer average lifespan than 12 to 15 years? Or is 12 to 15
years of use typical for all forced air, high efficiency gas furnaces,
regardless of maker?

I would tend to be reluctant to put $800 in a 14 year old furnace. I
know nothing about the possible conflict with the circuit board, but it
sounds fishy to me. I would (and will when my time comes) take advantage of
the situation to upgrade several ways.

I suggest getting estimates for a replacement before you make up your
mind. Note: I did say estimates - more than one. Make sure anyone making
an estimate take a look on site and that they consider your whole system and
what upgrades or changes might be a good idea now.

--
Joseph Meehan

Dia duit

800.00 for a motor...what next? contact Byrant, ask for
customer service,get some info, ask questions..you could
probably a new a new motor from Grainger for 150.00 bucks
at the most..I don't know if Im old fashioned or what ,but I cant
believe some stuff that goes on. My Trane furnace is 12 years old,
looks and runs like brand new, last year, a lighting storm took
out the blower motor..replaced it at Grainger for 85.00.
You can do it!






wrote in message
oups.com...
Our 14 year old Byrant Plus 90 furnace has been diagnosed with a
failing blower motor. The cost to have a new motor installed is $800.
The tech suggested that rather than replacing the motor, we consider
purchasing a new furnace, because it has been his experience that the
replacement blower motors have some sort of conflict with the circuit
boards in the furnace. He added that 12 to 15 years of life was typical
for this type of furnace, so a replacement furnace at this time was not
unusual.

If we were to replace the furnace, is there another brand that might
have a longer average lifespan than 12 to 15 years? Or is 12 to 15
years of use typical for all forced air, high efficiency gas furnaces,
regardless of maker?

wrote:
Our 14 year old Byrant Plus 90 furnace has been diagnosed with a
failing blower motor. The cost to have a new motor installed is $800.
The tech suggested that rather than replacing the motor, we consider
purchasing a new furnace, because it has been his experience that the
replacement blower motors have some sort of conflict with the circuit
boards in the furnace. He added that 12 to 15 years of life was typical
for this type of furnace, so a replacement furnace at this time was not
unusual.

If we were to replace the furnace, is there another brand that might
have a longer average lifespan than 12 to 15 years? Or is 12 to 15
years of use typical for all forced air, high efficiency gas furnaces,
regardless of maker?

Hi,
Conflict with control board? That sounds like BS. And what could go
wrong with a motor? Usuallt bearing/bushing which is not hard to
replace. If I were you, I'd take the motor to repair shop and let them
rebuild it. If there i no other obvious problem, it'll last another few
years. My last two furnaces last little over 20 years. Current
one(Carrier) is ~11 years old and I had two problems. Control logic
board which I managed to fix, and burned out HSI which I replaced.

Unless the heat exchanger is cracked your unit is fine just needing
repairs, call Bryant about the board issue but im sure you can get the
motor for less. Your repair guy wants to sell you a new unit, what did
you expect.

"Bubba " ReMoVe wrote in message
...
On 9 Mar 2006 15:03:55 -0800, wrote:
(snip)
Quite honestly, the board conflict sounds like hogwash.
On the other hand, 14 yrs is getting near the upper end of a furnace
life. Some last less, others last maybe 20ish. Just depends on the
care its had. Get other quotes and see what falls outta the woodwork

Well, this 1960 house, as far as I can tell, has the original furnace. I'm
sure the motor has been replaced by now, though. My grandmothers 1961 house,
which I sold to a family friend a few years back, also has the original pink
furnace, but I know that motor has been swapped at least once, because I did
it.

Yes, I'm planning on new furnace this year for my place, but only due to the
cost of gas going so high.

aem sends....

Thanks for the replies. Sounds I need a few more techs to take a look
and give me their assessment. I've also realized my assumption was that
furnaces last 40 - 50 years is way off.

The inducer motor was intermittently making an awful racket last
heating season and earlier this year. You could get it to quiet itself
by lightly tapping on it. It hasn't made that noise in a while, so in
that respect I suppose I've "lucked out" on one potential repair bill.

wrote in message
oups.com...
Our 14 year old Byrant Plus 90 furnace
==== My Bryant was taken out of service after 26 years. And
then, 2 years later, returned to service as a "helper" furnace
for the garage shop and upstairs areas. As long as the heat
exchanger isn't cracked and it works, there's no danger from it.
It's been in that position for 11 years now. It has to work a
lot less hard there, but it's still going strong.
You -might- be at the nickel-dime point, but then again maybe
not. I just don't buy an $800 fan motor unless there's a darned
good reason for it to cost that much. I installed it myself, but
my last fan motor cost me $125 five or six years ago.

has been diagnosed with a
failing blower motor.
==== Failing how? There's failing and there's "failing";
different. I think he wants to install/sell a furnace.

The cost to have a new motor installed is $800.
==== I dispute that. Unless there's something very complex or
unique there, it shouldn't be anywhere near that much. I think
he wants to sell a furnace.

The tech suggested that rather than replacing the motor, we
consider
purchasing a new furnace, because it has been his experience
that the
replacement blower motors have some sort of conflict with the
circuit
boards in the furnace.
==== That's crap. As long as the motor is within the
current/power capabilities of the controls, it's going to be OK.
Well, unless HE installs one for you; then I'd bet on it
"breaking" because of that "conflict" he mentioned, and you'lll
be responsible for needing a whole new furnace then, and he'll
say "I told you so".

He added that 12 to 15 years of life was typical
for this type of furnace, so a replacement furnace at this time
was not
unusual.
==== Again, crap! The lifetime of furnaces, if PM Is done at
all, is much longer than that. What usually makes a furnace fall
from favor is the newer ones get more efficient and cost less to
run, have new features, etc etc etc.. The major concern with a
furnace is that the heat exchanger be in good shape; no cracks,
leaks, etc.. As long as the heat exchange lives, the furnace can
live. Now, it might be $800 or more to replace a heat exchanger.
But not a fan motor. IMO, anyhway.

If we were to replace the furnace, is there another brand that
might
have a longer average lifespan than 12 to 15 years? Or is 12 to
15
years of use typical for all forced air, high efficiency gas
furnaces,
regardless of maker?
==== NOt in my opinion. Nozzles and Fan motors would be the
most replaced, especially if not serviced periodically, followed
by pumps, other motors, relays, maybe a transformer, all meant to
be replaced items. Second would probably be the oil pump and
nozzle if it's an oil fired furnace. Gas fired has even fewer
components that need replacing. I"ve probably borked that
descrip, but you get the general idea.


I'd get another estimate or three at least, if you're going to
consider another furnace; I don't think you want this guy to do
it.
I think I'd tell that guy thanks, and try another repair
outfit. See what they say.
Around here, Agway is the worst place to get service or
installs from. So try to find out who's good in your area and
try them.

I'd sure like to know about it if someone else suggests it's $800
for a fan motor - and why, so I hope you post back when you
finally bite the bullet. It's a hard decision sometimes.


Pop

I guess my furnace is living on borrowed time, it's the original Lenox
installed in the house 59 years ago. I had the blower motor re-built a
couple of times & just general checkups but its still working fine.
Probably not very efficient in comparison to the current new furnaces.
Although I'm looking to replace it & get whole house A/C this year.
Al

--On Friday, March 10, 2006 10:03 AM -0500 NickySantoro
wrote:

On 9 Mar 2006 15:03:55 -0800, wrote:

Our 14 year old Byrant Plus 90 furnace has been diagnosed with a
failing blower motor. The cost to have a new motor installed is $800.
The tech suggested that rather than replacing the motor, we consider
purchasing a new furnace, because it has been his experience that the
replacement blower motors have some sort of conflict with the circuit
boards in the furnace. He added that 12 to 15 years of life was typical
for this type of furnace, so a replacement furnace at this time was not
unusual.

If we were to replace the furnace, is there another brand that might
have a longer average lifespan than 12 to 15 years? Or is 12 to 15
years of use typical for all forced air, high efficiency gas furnaces,
regardless of maker?

Sounds like BS to me and that perhaps the so called "tech" might get a
commission on a new unit. Call another independent HVAC guy for
another opinion. I changed the blower motor on our old furnace. Cost
$160+ IIRC and took a couple of hours including the trip to Grainger
to get a new motor. Lasted for years until we changed the furnace when
we converted to gas and got central AC.

Question for those of you who have replaced the motor in your furnaces
yourselves. Did you use a manual? Is one necessary to successfully
remove and replace the motor? If manuals exist, where do you get them?

On 11 Mar 2006 08:07:47 -0800, wrote:

Chainging out a blowe motor is about as easy, if not easier, than doing
an oil change on a car. Remove the old motor and capacitor (if
applicable) and bring them to Grainger and tell them that you need a
new one. They should be abel to help you out. And it won't cost $800
either. I could get one for maybe $65-70

http://www.grainger.com/production/i...ower-motor.htm

I'd get another estimate. The one blower motor I replaced (also on a
Bryant) was a bit less than that. The h.o. had reset the circuit
breaker repeatedly until it stayed on. So, she fried the circuit board
in addition to the blower. I got some markup, and my usual house call
and labor. Came out about $500 if memory serves.

The breaker is telling you something. Reset once, and if it trips off
again, call the repairman.

My guess is your furnace is good for a few more years.

--

Christopher A. Young
You can't shout down a troll.
You have to starve them.
..

wrote in message
oups.com...
Our 14 year old Byrant Plus 90 furnace has been diagnosed with a
failing blower motor. The cost to have a new motor installed is $800.
The tech suggested that rather than replacing the motor, we consider
purchasing a new furnace, because it has been his experience that the
replacement blower motors have some sort of conflict with the circuit
boards in the furnace. He added that 12 to 15 years of life was
typical
for this type of furnace, so a replacement furnace at this time was
not
unusual.

If we were to replace the furnace, is there another brand that might
have a longer average lifespan than 12 to 15 years? Or is 12 to 15
years of use typical for all forced air, high efficiency gas furnaces,
regardless of maker?