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| Hi! Do I have questions! Have been in my house for 5 years now, and the furnace is on the fritz! I'm planning to replace my 24-year old system with a Trane 95% Gas Furnace with Variable speed blower, & Trane 4 ton air conditioner 48000 BTU, 15 SEER.
My house is a two-story that has 2600 sq. ft. The above items, installation, coil, thermostat, media filter, 10 yr. warranty and 2 yr. maintenance contract will run $9,419.00. If I want to add an automatic zoning system so that I have a thermostat both up and downstairs, that costs an additional $2,850.00. Is this extra expense worth it? Is there really a significant improvement with the zoning system? Does this price sound right? I was told I could also do something called a manual zoning system, that needs to be re-balanced twice a year, for $300.00. I think if I do anything extra, I'll go for the auto-zoning, but really wonder about the additional,significant expense. Also, I have a sunroom that is around 400-500 square feet. It is an oven in the summer, and a freezer in the winter. Got an estimate for a mini-split that ran $4,310.00. That sounds really high. Is there a cheaper alternative? I live in Southeastern Virgninia. Thanks for any feedback or suggestions! |
Follow-Up Postings:
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- Posted by baldloonie (My Page) on Wed, Jun 1, 11 at 23:07
| IF DONE RIGHT (and usually isn't) zoning is great for comfort. Lots harder to do right with existing ducts than designing a duct system from scratch. Mini split heat pumps are rather pricey but sure are nice. Whisper quiet and extremely efficient. |
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- Posted by david_cary (My Page) on Thu, Jun 2, 11 at 5:04
| The zoning is worth it if you have a real problem with temperature stratification (and you probably do) and if it is done right. You probably should back up and question the system you are planning on getting. I would first say that you would probably have lower utility bills by backing down the furnace efficiency and go with a heat pump (that would depend on your gas and electric rates). The install cost could be a wash. I'd really ask what they are planning to do with the ducts for that zoning price. You see, your ducts are probably set up to flow enough for 4 tons. If you are trying to cool just the upstairs, then you are ramming 4 tons worth of air flow into about half of the ductwork. I think your overall cost is a little high but that is region dependent. |
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- Posted by stinky-gardener (My Page) on Thu, Jun 2, 11 at 6:59
| Thanks for your reply, Baldloonie! Good to know. David, I feel a little lost when reading your reply, but I know for sure that *you* know what you are talking about! Okay, so I should ask what they are planning to do with the ducts. Lost me after that. Also, is the furnace too high a SEER, is that what you mean? Would you try to negotiate the price on the zoning? What if I could get it for $2,000? What do you think my overall price should be? Do you live in Cary, NC? Nice area. I think your cost of living is a little lower than ours, but not hugely so. I live in Virginia Beach. Thanks so much for your feedback! |
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- Posted by stinky-gardener (My Page) on Thu, Jun 2, 11 at 7:05
| Also, when you say, "zoning is worth it if you have a real problem with temperature stratification..." How do I know there's a real problem w/stratification, or if the issue is just how old my current system is? I do have a very large master bed/bath on the 2nd floor. Then there is a smaller bath, a very small room, a tiny laundry area and another fairly large room on the 2nd floor. Thanks!!! |
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