<p>We have a Lennox system. Our previous system was Amana and it was underconfigured but also required a lot of service calls. The furnace is in the basement and there is a CO detector here. This thread is starting to remind me of some of the other appliance threads - my experience is that these thing should not fail for a long, long time.</p>
<p>It’s not old for a heater. You shouldn’t shop for a replacement unless you have money to burn (so to speak). If it’s ‘acting up’ (which means what, exactly?), see what the technician says the problem is and have it fixed - especially since repairs are taken care of at no additional cost. These aren’t complicated systems.</p>
<p>It was making a funny noise when starting up. They came and replaced the motor. It’s the second motor to be replaced. Good thing I heard it before it went dead. It’s good for now but it occurred to me it could have gone dead in the middle of snowstorm.</p>
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<p>I am guilty of starting a couple of those.</p>
<p>Keep those appliance threads coming - I really need to do some replacements.</p>
<p>We replaced our furnace last winter with an efficient unit. The house is noticeably more comfy, and the tax credit made the upgrade to high efficiency worthwhile.</p>
<p>A gas furnace with hot air. Hmm. That means you have a gas burner (keep the igniter clean) and a system to distribute the hot air created by burning the gas. The efficiency would come in with the distribution system, because you can’t burn gas more efficiently, you can just use the heat generated more efficiently.</p>
<p>You’re stuck with your ducts (unless you want to do a major remodel) but you can make sure they’re clean. You can make sure your furnace heat exchanger is working properly. </p>
<p>I don’t know why your furnace motor would be more likely to die in a snowstorm (unless you’re just worried it could take days to get someone there to fix it), but if that worries you, perhaps you should figure out a backup system for heat. When we lived in Massachusetts, we had a wood stove in one of the fireplaces precisely so we could be sure we had one warm room even in an extended power failure. (Of course, the only major power failure we’ve ever dealt with was in Washington, when our backup-free house reached 50 degrees before power was restored.)</p>
<p>When we replaced the gas furnace (leaking heat exchanger) we went with a lower end unit. All the same parts, but not necessarily the same quality. </p>
<p>Our local appliance dealer said to always buy the best motor. The motors the manufacturers put into the inexpensive units are less expensive to build-fewer motor windings, non lubricated bearings, poor steel bearings, - put together the cost savings for a motor is really just a couple of dollars but those dollars have a multiplier affect by the time the appliance becomes a retail item.</p>
<p>I understand the desire to not have problems midwinter. I had our furnace /air conditioner replaced sooner than later in its mid teens when it had funny blower problem sounds the second time around so we wouldn’t have problems and for selling the house. Those with very old furnaces- consider the technology and fuel efficiency. A two stage burner, quiet furnace with good ductwork/balancing means a lot. Furnaces/air conditioners are where newer technology is worth the upgrade (and getting a top brand with good features).</p>
<p>I’m guilty of using a large top freezer refrigerator bought just before the 1993 standards when I know energy costs would be cheaper with new. But I will let the new owner choose their style. But this is an appliance I like compared to the furnace I merely set the temperature on and ignore.</p>