Furnace Recomendations

[SWM]

Our Oil furnace is chugging along, but we are told its on borrowed time. So we are going to get some pricing to directly replace the oil furnace, but i also wanted to contemplate moving to a natural gas furnace. Can anyone tell me which direction is better to go, assuming cost isnt going to be a huge factor in transitioning. I think the local natural gas company offers discounted gas furnace if you switch to gas fuel...so it might offset any conversion cost and be straight up furnace pricing. Are there any brands to avoid, what brands are solid performers. Im afraid our oil guy will try to overcharge us for a heap of shit furnace and not know any better.

Any input is appreciated.

[Hube]

The many advantages of a natural gas furnace compared to an oil furnace is;

a lot more quieter.(less burner noise)
less maintenance & yearly 'tune-up' cost.
no oil tank needed.
no obnoxious diesel fuel smell.
no access needed for re-filling of oil tank.


As far as choices goes ,Lennox is a good one. Buth then again most brands are equally as good, it's the INSTALLATION that really counts.

[SWM]

thanks Hube. it turns out my heat exchanger has a crack. is this something worth replacing a furnace over?

[Java_Bob]

Originally Posted by SWM

thanks Hube. it turns out my heat exchanger has a crack. is this something worth replacing a furnace over?

yep, that is a very dangerous situation, CO2 poison

[Hube]

Most makes of furnaces carry a 10 year heat exchanger warranty.
But if your furnace is more than 10 years or so old it would be more economical to just get a brand new furnace (hi-eff.90-95 % is best)

[SWM]

is there a co2 concern when with oil fuel? i thought CO2 was only created when using gas, please confirm. and yes, the furnace is definitly more then 10 years old./

[HayZee518]

anything that combusts produces carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide. oil products also produce hydrogen sulphide, acetylene etc.