Gas and Oil Home Heating Furnaces - New Furnace: How Much & What Brand?

IN A NUTSHELL, I NEED TO KNOW TWO THINGS:


1. HOW MUCH WILL A NEW FURNACE COST?


2. WHATS THE TOP THREE BEST BRANDS OUT?



THANKS FOR ANY HELP...
*ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE HEATING EXPERIENCE...:)

Cost of a furnace is dependent on what size you need for the space being heated as well as how effecient you want the furnace to be and what type of furnace you plan on using (natural gas, propane, oil, etc.) Furnaces can range from a couple hundred dollars for room size units to a couple thousand for the most efficient units.

As to the three best brands...again, it depends on your needs.
We've installed major known brand equipment that turned out to not work worth a damn, only to reinstall a different model of the same brand that worked better than designed. And we've installed little known brands that have outperformed the major brands.

Consult with a local licensed experienced installation company to help you answer your questions. Be sure to get more than one opinion for the best overall view of the cost and what brand to use. Ask your neighbor and family members what they are using, how well has the equipment performed, etc. Then compare with what the installers advise before buying.

Hope this helps you

Out of Atlanta. If your looking to replace your existing gas furnace: $1,195-1,395 if 50,000btu. $1,395-1,595 if 75,000 btu. $1,495-1,795 if 100kbtu, and $1,695-1,995 for 125kbtu. (these are the ranges for the company I work for (unit,xtra parts,and installation) . The reputation for the company is competively priced and of Quality. Heil is the brand they prefer to use which is ranked at about #3. Trane is the all around best (consumer reports and general consenses), with Ruud/Rheem following in second. The prices above reflect 80% efficiency units, which probably 95% of the population owns. Home Depot charges $1,600-$2,000 for a Trane 50k. they are a highballer, but do offer 6 mos. intrest free financing. To find out how many btu's your furnace outputs, check for labels around or inside unit. If not available, count flame tubes inside (more than likely) if 2 then 50k, if 3-75k, if 4 then 100k. Suggestions -get three estimates, trust your gut, dont buy a carrier or goodman, you can haggle, and, see if the estimator is willing to do work outside his company for cash at a reduced rate.

we are right there within his numbers, also in atlanta. prices will vary from area to area, and more difficult installations are pricier. 25k btu per burner is correct except for trane which rate theirs at 20 k btu, go figure. BTW one of the 3 units in my house is a carrier, other 2 are rheem, carrier is not so bad if installed right, especially the puron systems.

what's wrong with carrier?? Mine seems to be purring like a kitten. <knock on wood>

Alright,Ill back off on carrier a little, its just that almost half the units It seems I change out (prematurely) are in that family. I guess Ill have to run into one of the Purons.

thanks to all for the replys.............this site is very helpful when i need it .....
f/y/i/ i have a 50,000 btu gas/ forced air system

im sure all the reply info will help me when im ready to upgrade......

oops! one more question........
when would you say it the best time to purchase one as far as getting a good deal is? :D

The best time our company has ever found for buying heating equipment is in the spring just when suppliers are trying to empty their inventory to make room for cooling equipment.
Some are even willing to cut a better deal for display units to get them out of the way...just be sure they come with all the parts and paperwork if you buy one. For us, watching the local paper ads for spring stuff has been a good indicator that it's time to go price haggling.

Anyone else know of a time?