Replace heater in attic

[cmdmfr]

My heater has just took a break the cost to fix it is $700.00 and it is 13 years old. There are some hot spots on the heat exchanger in which is a sign that the exchanger will be failing shortley which means it will crack. If the exchanger goes the cost to replace is about $2000.00 dollars and if the circuit board goes another $600.00 dollars. My repair man said that he suggest replacing the heater if I replace the broken part there is no gaurantee how much it will last before another repair and no gaurantee that it will not be costly. The house is 2100 sq ft.

The cost to replace it is for a cheap job about $3000.00 and high efficient is $4100.00 installed any suggestions out there from tug that work around this trade .

 

[Talent312]

IME, once one system goes, more will follow. Is buying a new house an option?
<kidding>

Seriously, I'd shop around and get a few estimates.
Last time I replaced a HVAC system, I got four, and went w- one in the middle.

I'd also check w- my local utility to see if they have any incentives for energy-efficient systems.

 

[WinniWoman]

Buy a new one. We got a system 2000 a few years ago and very happy with it.. We have baseboard hot water heat (oil), but it works with hot air and propane as well.

 

[vacationhopeful]

Replace it.

You are throwing good money into an old system.

I see you are in SC. How many days do you run the heater all day? Is your central air tied into this heater? I would be MORE worried about YOUR AC efficiency than your 30 days of heater usage each year.

Might want to look into geo-thermal heating.

 

[Tank]

My heater has just took a break the cost to fix it is $700.00 and it is 13 years old. There are some hot spots on the heat exchanger in which is a sign that the exchanger will be failing shortley which means it will crack. If the exchanger goes the cost to replace is about $2000.00 dollars and if the circuit board goes another $600.00 dollars. My repair man said that he suggest replacing the heater if I replace the broken part there is no gaurantee how much it will last before another repair and no gaurantee that it will not be costly. The house is 2100 sq ft.

The cost to replace it is for a cheap job about $3000.00 and high efficient is $4100.00 installed any suggestions out there from tug that work around this trade .

The furnace is out of warranty , repairs cost money and your right, you can't guarantee something else wont break.

you didn't say what the initial break was that cost $700, my guess would be the blower.

The repair part should have a one year warrantee if you opt to fix.

Heat exchanger has hot spots, no cracks now, its in the heat, it's going to get hot. Most heat exchangers have a 20 year warrantee.
all you should have to pay is labor if it goes bad. At most a 8 hour day, & that includes a nap. I don't see how the $2000 fee to replace a heat exchanger is justified.
Whats your hourly rate X how many hours including picking up parts and taking it back for warrantee.If it is out of warrantee , it would cost $2000 > Replace furnace !

All other stuff could go bad at any given time, like driving a used car.
$600 here, $700 there can be easier to cough up.

 

[SmithOp]

I had a packaged unit (heat/AC) go out, called the manufacturer help line for an authorized repair. They got me a new unit free, only paid for labor. Check to see if there is any warranty left.

I replaced a basement furnace at another home, it was ancient, rusted out. I picked the high efficiency model (97%) and its paid for itself in lower gas bills for many years now. Its a Lennox, cost $2500 total with labor. The exhaust is pvc pipe, air coming out is barely warm, very efficient unit. I'd get a second quote.


Sent from my iPad Mini 4 using Tapatalk

 

[Passepartout]

I will join the chorus of getting more quotes.

We have (had?) an ongoing program of spring and fall furnace, a/c checkups. Last fall, they showed up with fancy TV monitor and fiber optic probe and 'discovered' on the verge of failure fissures on the heat exchanger. They shut off the gas (citing safety issues) and kindly offered to replace the 90% efficient furnace (15 y.o.) with a 95% efficient new one for $4200. We called another hvac outfit that DW had dealings with at her office. They checked the carbon monoxide level of the air coming into the house. Found none. We know that the furnace is beyond repair, so got some bids for replacement. I installed a C. O. Detector in the bedroom at a warm air register. Panic over, we will replace the furnace in the spring at just over half the price of the original bid.

Jim