I’m in the process of buying a house, and I have tentatively decided to replace the furnace. The current furnace is a natural gas boiler, original, manufactured around 1950.
I believe that it works reasonably well, but I had decided to replace it for several reasons:
First, the inspector detected an exhaust leak, which he said could lead to a carbon monoxide problem. (I imagine that it could be fixed, however)
Second, the furnace will have to be removed anyway to allow the replacement of a couple joists. (Although it could be put back in place)
Third, my parents say that a new boiler will save money in the long run since it’s more efficient. (but is that worth the $2500 it will cost for a new one?)
Fourth, the thing is 50 years old - instinctively, it seems like it’s about time to replace it.
On the other hand, my father-in-law says “they don’t make 'em like they used to.” And I wouldn’t mind having an extra $2500.
Definitely go with the new one. I had a natural gas furnace in my house that was 30 years old. It got to be too expensive to keep up. Besides, the newer ones will be much more energy efficient.
I had one of the old ones that ws replaced. With all the work you have to do get a new one. Also it sounds like you have forced hot air and it would be a good time to get central a/c (another $3k) if you are considering it.
you furnace is probally 60% eff - a new one will probabally be 80% (any higher and the chimey will have to be redesigned so you can figure your savings on heat based on that.
As for they don’t make them like they use to - well they don’t. The old ones are dependable becauce they are very simple, crude and inefficent but parts are old and will need periodic replacement. YOu should go a long time w/o any repair on a new one (hopefully) just because it’s new.
By the way, the house is heated with forced hot water (baseboard). It already has central a/c.
Another question: How can I tell for sure if the chimney needs to be modified? What are the consequences if this is neglected?
Yet another question: The basement is heated by electrical baseboard heating. Since we won’t be using it much, and since it is surrounded by earth, my inclination is to leave it that way. Should I consider converting it? Also, should I consider getting a furnace/boiler with enough capacity so that I can convert the basement in the future?
OK possaible a little confusion on terms here. A furnace is a ‘air’ heater while a boiler heats water (doesn’t need to boil it). So it looks like you are replaceing a boiler. - no biggie though.
The older chimneys will develope condensation if too high an eff. unit is used and rust out (your’s is most likely 50 yrs old and is the old type). By using 80% eff enough heat escapes to prevent the water vapor from condensing. The chimney itself has to be replaces w/ another diameter pipe of diffrent material to be used. BUT high eff. furnases are problematic (according to 2 dif. contractors that I got an est for the furnace w/ one doing the work) - and might cost you more $ on maintance + the higher initial cost + the chimeny modification then you will ever see in energy savings - I expect boilers to be the same. OTHO I expect boilers to naturally have higher eff. then furnances.
Also here on LI you can get a rebate of a couple hunderd dollars by choosing certain higher eff. units - that may be available where you are.
I don’t know much about brands of boilers - I got a lenox furnace and a/c the other choice would be a ruud - both are good units.
as for your basement - how much do you plan to use it? Ask the former owner how warm it stays if that’s an option. If your handy you might be able to run some baseboard yourself if it’s an easy run. as for getting an oversized unit just incase - you may be wasting more energy using a bigger unit then the cost of the electric heat if you plan to not use it that much.
A lot depends on how long you plan to live in the house. Let’s say your gas bill is $200 per month and you can save 30% for the six months that you need heat. That’s $360 per year that you’d be saving. It will take you almost seven years to get your money back. Allowing that a “new furnace” will give you a higher resale value on the home is worth something, too. All things considered, why don’t you see if you can get the leak fixed for a few hundred bucks and then wait till next year and see how things are. My first house had an oil furnace made by Moncreif and it was built like a tank. Only needed a new nozzle and a cleaning every year and it was 35 years old. New furnaces are all electronic and can’t be repaired easily by the average homeowner. Save your money.
I’d say that the most important thing would be to replace the chimney, that is where your exhaust leak is most likely coming from. Also, if your duct work is that old, there is a slight fire hazard. As for whether or not to replace the actual furnace/boiler, I agree with doctordec