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Question:

Should I replace 10 year old furnace?

I have an Comfortmaker m/n GUK075N12C1 90% high efficiency forced air furnace that is approx 10 years old. It has leaked water for 2 years now. I have cleaned out the condensate trap and replaced the tubing hoping that this would remedy the situation. My HVAC contractor spent 2 hours taking apart and resealing the front intake fan assembly. When this did not work he suggested that the lower heat exchanger may be cracked and suggested replacement. I know the unit has had a hard life with the previous owner and is also in a damp basement. Since the unit has been leaking water rust is now present both internally and externally. Should I replace or pay someone else $90+/hr to look at it?

Answer:

I work for a heating company and i would recommend replacement...otherwise you are going to start spending more and more in repairs... if the heat exchanger is cracked, its a MUST to replace it....since you would be letting Carbon Monoxide into your home... plus now, there are more efficient and comfortable furnaces that may even lower your bills :) You don't have to get too fancy, depends on how long you want to stay in your home....but there are models with variable speeds and 2 stages that are pretty cool! 10 years isn't too bad, but its def. close to a furnace's max. life. Good Luck!
I would get on a service plan with your local utility if the still offer the service. I had this on a 20 yr old furnace and paid $10 a month and they came out and fixed anything that went wrong. You should be able to see a cracked heat exchange, and I don't know what that would have to do with leaking water. I'd take the risk of another $90 bucks before getting a new unit. At the very least you'll know if the next company is competent enough to install a new unit if they can at least fix the leak (not to mention give you a for sure answer on the heat exchanger).
Sounds like a nightmare. I wouldn't go on a suggestion of a cracked heat exchanger. If this HVAC contractor was so smart, why didn't he check the heat exchanger and give you an absolute answer? I had a heat exchanger replaced about 9 yrs ago, had a complete system checkout recently and the HVAC contractor said it all looked like new yet. Sounds like maybe you need to find a way to dehumidify that damp basement as well, or a new furnace sounds to be doomed to a rough and rusty life as well. My contractor told me that a lot of new furnaces manufactured now are made a lot cheaper quality than they were a few years ago. So, be careful in your selection of a manufacturer if you choose to replace the old girl. I would be doing some major research on this before purchasing a replacement unit. Service after the sale and parts availability means a lot when you need it and are COLD!
that's authentic that the air filter out is element of the residing house and under no circumstances element of the furnace. maximum new furnaces will contain a rail that matches interior the plenum (the ducting field connecting to the furnace) besides the indisputable fact that that's element of the ducting, for that reason element of the residing house. The installer or residing house layout determines the position the filters will bypass. Filters interior the grill or openings of the go back air ducts save the lint out of that duct besides as filter out the air to the furnace. yet right here, maximum filters are put in on the furnace. favourite filters are there to save the blower and furnace sparkling for good operation. They were not there to develop loved ones air high quality even although that's what many human beings choose them to do. good success.
I think every homeowner goes thru this scenario at some point.You have to do a feasible estimation of cost in repairs verses replacement.I would look at any new government seer ratings that might come about anytime soon before I replace anything,at least that way you get the latest and greatest bang for your buck.Other things to consider is your homes value,do you plan on selling anytime soon,are the conditions unbearable during extreme season changes?

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