Any thoughts on new heating and air conditioning systems??
All new systems are Energy Star by law. I bought a Trane system a year ago July and got the tax credits. It hadn't been too hot yet and the local company ran a special since they weren't getting much business. We save a bundle on our AC cost and less so on the heating (but we still save). We were told the system will pay for itself in 7 years. That was of little concern to us because we've been in the house 30 years and hadn't replaced it. We were afraid the old system would die on a cold winter night.
By the way, make sure you get a large enough unit. Apparently they built our house with an undersized unit and we could never get our 3rd bedroom to feel similar to the rest of the house in our rancher. Now everything is fine. Also, there are a lot of electronic controls on the new units. I believe the manufacturer has a 1 year warranty on parts and labor for even minor adjustments at no additional cost. I don't recall the length of the warranty on major parts. My advice is to get a service contract from your local dealer for when the original one runs out. We had to have a lot of adjustments in the first year and I imagine that would be similar in subsequent years. Our local man showed us a long list of clients who were availing themselves of this service. I could find out from my wife what it costs, but I think it's somewhat less than $200 per year ( it may be way less but I just don't know).
By the way, make sure you get a large enough unit. Apparently they built our house with an undersized unit and we could never get our 3rd bedroom to feel similar to the rest of the house in our rancher. Now everything is fine. Also, there are a lot of electronic controls on the new units. I believe the manufacturer has a 1 year warranty on parts and labor for even minor adjustments at no additional cost. I don't recall the length of the warranty on major parts. My advice is to get a service contract from your local dealer for when the original one runs out. We had to have a lot of adjustments in the first year and I imagine that would be similar in subsequent years. Our local man showed us a long list of clients who were availing themselves of this service. I could find out from my wife what it costs, but I think it's somewhat less than $200 per year ( it may be way less but I just don't know).
We have a Ruud two zone forced air gas furnace with AC unit. Energy star, very efficient, and keeps the house nice and toasty in the winter and cool in the summer. I get it serviced in the Fall and pay about $75 a year for that. I also change the filters (get at Costco) every 3 months. I think if you buy it before 12/31, you can get the energy tax credit.
Since we've lost our old "insulation" seems I want it warmer...or is that just a function of getting older? LOL
Since we've lost our old "insulation" seems I want it warmer...or is that just a function of getting older? LOL
Eating junk food and CRAP is not a reward...it's a punishment...
it's a DEATH sentence...Reward yourself with Good Health!
Highest Weight: 287 Lbs-January 2010; Reached Goal 195 Lbs - Dec 2010
Total Lost: 92 Lbs; Completed FULL MARATHON (26.2 Miles) 10-16-2011
it's a DEATH sentence...Reward yourself with Good Health!
Highest Weight: 287 Lbs-January 2010; Reached Goal 195 Lbs - Dec 2010
Total Lost: 92 Lbs; Completed FULL MARATHON (26.2 Miles) 10-16-2011
Hopefully you get a new system cheaper than I did. I didn't like the Heating and AC units in the apt. we lived in so I bought a new House earlier this year. 
I don't think it is age cause I am always cold now, or maybe I am just in denial over my age.
I don't think it is age cause I am always cold now, or maybe I am just in denial over my age.
Paul C.
First 5K 9/27/20 46:32 - 11 weeks post op (PR 28:55 8/15/11)
First 10K 7/04/2011 1:03 First 15K 9/18/2011 1:37
First Half Marathon 10/02/2011 2:27:44 (PR 2:24:35)
First Half Ironman 9/30/12 7:32:04
First 5K 9/27/20 46:32 - 11 weeks post op (PR 28:55 8/15/11)
First 10K 7/04/2011 1:03 First 15K 9/18/2011 1:37
First Half Marathon 10/02/2011 2:27:44 (PR 2:24:35)
First Half Ironman 9/30/12 7:32:04
OneFinger
on 12/13/10 2:57 am
on 12/13/10 2:57 am
I had mine replaced 2 years ago and went with a high effiency Lennox. I love it. But, have also heard good things about Trane.
IMHO, the most important thing is to go with a well-respected brand and a quality installer. I don't always buy from the cheapest guy. I buy from the company that's been around the longest and has a good track record in my community. Dealers don't last long if they don't have a quality product.
As for turning up the thermostat, I've had to do that after surgery. I'm convinced it's weight related and not age related.
IMHO, the most important thing is to go with a well-respected brand and a quality installer. I don't always buy from the cheapest guy. I buy from the company that's been around the longest and has a good track record in my community. Dealers don't last long if they don't have a quality product.
As for turning up the thermostat, I've had to do that after surgery. I'm convinced it's weight related and not age related.
High Weight = 310 Surgery Weight = 300 Dr's Goal = 200 My Goal = 190 
Most people that I know who have had WLS regardless of type tend to feel cold in cooler seasons. If only I felt cooler in the hot humid summers we get in NJ. I chose my hvac man based on who advertises in my church bulletin. There are two who do so and they are both popular and good. My church has a similar asset in members who are attorneys and advertise in our bulletin.
Hey Brian
i have been in that business for the last 30 yrs, best thing to do is find a reputable HVAC contractor that has been around , next have them do a load calculation to determine what size you need , then purchase the most efficient system you can ,, as far as brands i would go with American Standard which is the spin off of Trane very good equipment also look into a good filter system IE air effects by trane is good and have your duct system clean prior to the new system going in
Keith
any more Questions ask away
i have been in that business for the last 30 yrs, best thing to do is find a reputable HVAC contractor that has been around , next have them do a load calculation to determine what size you need , then purchase the most efficient system you can ,, as far as brands i would go with American Standard which is the spin off of Trane very good equipment also look into a good filter system IE air effects by trane is good and have your duct system clean prior to the new system going in
Keith
any more Questions ask away
Couldn't agree more with the recommendation to get your ducts cleaned before starting up the new system. We did it at one house we moved into - you would not believe how much dust and crud was in those ducts. I almost wanted to replace them with new.
In hindsight, I kind of wish we had, since they were the old non-insulated metal type. The cooling loss was phenomenal. Our new house is the same square footage, and our AC system is about 2/3 the size, because we've got insulated ducts and aren't trying to A/C the attic. (This was in Houston, where we used the A/C about 85% of the year...)
In hindsight, I kind of wish we had, since they were the old non-insulated metal type. The cooling loss was phenomenal. Our new house is the same square footage, and our AC system is about 2/3 the size, because we've got insulated ducts and aren't trying to A/C the attic. (This was in Houston, where we used the A/C about 85% of the year...)
American Standard was a good reccomendation, but any of the HVAC companies that use generic OEM parts are a good choice. They will be less expensive to purchase and less expensive to service. Stay away from the brands that parts can only bought from the selling tech IE Lennox, Carrier. If you use a lennox or carrier sales office get a quote on their second brand, it should be one with generic parts.
Robert
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