<p>It’s time to think about replacing our 18 year old furnaces. We have put enough money into smaller repairs. If anyone has any recommendations they would be most welcome. I don’t know if it matters but we live in Ohio.</p>
<p>Take advantage of the Federal Tax Credit and install a pellet stove. [Federal</a> Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency : ENERGY STAR](<a href=“http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=tax_credits.tx_index]Federal”>Federal Income Tax Credits and Incentives for Energy Efficiency | ENERGY STAR)</p>
<p>I have heard excellent things about this option if you buy a quality stove and quality pellets.
[Harman</a> Stoves: Pellet Stoves > HARMAN XXV](<a href=“http://www.harmanstoves.com/products/details.asp?cat=stoves&prd=pellet-stoves&f=XXVPSTV]Harman”>http://www.harmanstoves.com/products/details.asp?cat=stoves&prd=pellet-stoves&f=XXVPSTV)</p>
<p>Propane or Natural Gas? We’ve had lots of furnace issues starting after only a few years with a home with Propane and a Bryant furnace that is wearing out faster than it should…hearing that it’s the propane, but I’m not yet convinced. There is a class action lawsuit for premature failure that our furnace is part of so the idea that it’s the propane seems like an evasive response.</p>
<p>We put in a two stage (Rheem) in our home (natural gas) three winters ago and we’re both very happy with it. It’s quiet, efficient and has given us zero problems.</p>
<p>Thank you for the info. We have two furnaces that use natural gas.</p>
<p>OK, lots of issues to think of. To get the tax credit the furnace has to be installed by the end of the year also above a determined efficiency level. Furnace sales folks will talk all day about this because it has increased demand for their services.</p>
<p>All Carrier furnaces (Carrier, Bryant, and Day Night) had issues with the heat exchangers. The heat exchanger was redesigned several years ago so the new design is fine. Issue is changing from a regular flue to a PVC flue and the higher efficiency. Secondly, extra quite furnaces are on the market and I think they are worth the money.</p>
<p>We went from a Carrier furnace and A/C that were 19 years old to a Rheem high efficiency and low sound furnace and A/C and are very pleased. I got several bids and went with the Rheem because of the contractor and reputation. Key is to get a good contactor and a major name in equipment and you should be good for another 20 years or so.</p>
<p>We replaced our 25 year old gas furnace last week. The cost to replace what we had (85% efficiency) with the same efficiency, with the same roof venting, was $1500 less than going with the newer 96.7% efficiency furnace with PVC venting through the wall. Assuming we actually get the $1500 tax credit, the end cost is the same, so we went ahead and went with the higher efficiency furnace. It’s very quiet - I can’t really tell when it’s running. We haven’t had it long enough to see the effect on the gas bill, but we’ve splurged on setting the thermostat up to 70 (+ 2 degrees) and this week we had to replace the 14 year old water heater (at essentially the same efficiency), so it may be hard to tease apart the effect of the new furnace. They installed a Trane. We also got a new AC with the hopes that it will be much, much quieter, but it will be many months before we run that :)</p>