# NEED HELP DECIDING what heating and air to buy for home **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 9, 2016, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-deciding-what-heating-and-air-to-buy-for-home/765454 "2016-09-09T19:42:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![over\_under](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a698b9/32.png) [@over\_under](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/over_under)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2016, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-deciding-what-heating-and-air-to-buy-for-home/765454/1 "2016-09-09T19:42:03Z")
I am in need of help deciding what heating and air unit to buy for our home. Tight budget & want to get something that won’t brake down often has good reviews isnt made from CHINA where I can get parts easy if there is an issue. I just got 2 quotes one for a frasier johnson york not sure what size…or what it does but it is for natural gas. cost $4500.00 not including electrical he can not do that. Second quote was for goodman gsx13 13 seer high efficientcy air and for heat high efficiency variable gas furnace up to 96% AFUE performance with like a humidifier included in that to keep the air moist in the winter so not to dry out all the wood. cost $6800.00 not including electric. elctric will most likely cost close to another 300- 400 but we can save again for that this winter until we need to hook that up in the spring. Thanks for all the responces I am going to get we need to make this decision VERY SOON we can not use this heater at all. We live in MICHIGAN!! ---
**Author:** ![usedtobe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ec9cab/32.png) [@usedtobe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usedtobe)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2016, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-deciding-what-heating-and-air-to-buy-for-home/765454/2 "2016-09-10T00:10:39Z")
After you google to your heart’s content, you may find this site useful: > **[HVAC-Talk: Heating, Air & Refrigeration Discussion](https://hvac-talk.com/vbb/forum.php)** > > The #1 HVACR Community You will need to register and note that these are professional HVAC people: they do expect to make money, so absolutely NO HINT of DIY intent. They will also not discuss prices. The Goodman products are red meat to these folks - some hate with passion, others defend. Be on your best behavior. The " electric" for just a furnace is a common 120 VAC outlet. The A/C compressor requires heavy-duty electrical service. My conclusion after going through this a couple of times: The name on the box is not what is important: it is the name on the “Call for Service” card - a good install of a cheap box beats a poor install of a name-brand. This there a furnace and/or (central) A/C in there now? Given the numbers you quoted, there probably is at least some duct work. Duct work makes or breaks an install. ---
**Author:** ![usedtobe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ec9cab/32.png) [@usedtobe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usedtobe)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2016, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-deciding-what-heating-and-air-to-buy-for-home/765454/3 "2016-09-10T00:15:13Z")
p.s. - specifying “No China” is going to severely limit you. All the “Manufacturer” does is form the coils and make the cabinet - all else is off-the-shelf. Is a Ford assembled in Mexico of parts from Korea, US, China and Philippines an “American” car? ---
**Author:** ![RainPops](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9dc877/32.png) [@RainPops](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RainPops)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2016, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-deciding-what-heating-and-air-to-buy-for-home/765454/4 "2016-09-10T00:18:38Z")
hi Ill tell you clearly that the heating is very important! the air can be put aside; in fact I would ignore it; Im not alone here! ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2016, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-deciding-what-heating-and-air-to-buy-for-home/765454/5 "2016-09-10T20:05:20Z")
> [@usedtobe](#): > > The " electric" for just a furnace is a common 120 VAC outlet. Not an outlet – in most locations, it has to be a hard-wired 120V service, on it’s own circuit. And my experience is that any of the good quality brands are acceptable, and the quality of the installation (& subsequent maintenance) provided by your local installer are what makes the difference. So go by your feelings about the local company, and recommendations from others in your location.