What furnace to buy?

November 29, 2008 9:06 AM

My best friend buys her first furnace. She is in Canada. Are there any ways, beside of online consumer reviews, to find out what furnace is the best value-for-money for her house? And if you ever used Armstrong Gas Furnace (it was recommended by one of the contractors) what is your personal experience? Will Armstong really last for 10 years? Thanks!

The furnace she uses now was installed when she bought her house 6 years ago, and she never wandered about brand or quality. She invited a couple of HVAC contractors to estimate price, and they gave her different value-by-price recommendations. Money factor is important for her, but she also wants a good quality appliance. One of the contractors recommended Armstrong Gas Furnace, as the best combination of quality and price. My friend reviewed consumer reviews and found them not to be very helpful, and, in fact, quite contradictory. So, she asked me to post this question. Are there any ways, beside of online consumer reviews, to find out what furnace is the best value-for-money for her house? And if you ever used Armstrong Gas Furnace what is your personal experience? Is it worth buying? Thanks!

posted by ivanka to home & garden (10 comments total)

Why replace a 6 year old furnace? I replaced my previous one when it was about 40 years old. Many furnaces come with 25-year guarantees. A 6 year-old furnace is practically new.

When we got a new one we got several quotes and went with the most reputable-seeming contractor. I wanted to get a high-end furnace, but the woman who won the quote told me it was overkill for my house. I don't even remember what brand it was - I think if it's a quality contractor, it will be a quality furnace for the most part.
posted by GuyZero at 9:16 AM on November 29, 2008

When I moved into my house, the gas heater was a converted steam heater from some time in the 1930s. Is there something wrong with her current heater that she needs to replace it so soon? It seems odd to me that she is replacing a six year old heater, is it horribly inefficient or something?
posted by kellyblah at 9:19 AM on November 29, 2008

I don't think she's saying that the furnace is 6 years old -- I thinkshe's saying the current owner has had the house for 6 years, and the furnace was there when she bought it. 'Already installed when she' rather than 'installed at the time she'. The OP can correct me if I'm wrong, but that's my read on the question, and the reason why she might be replacing it now -- the furnace could be many more than 6 years old.
posted by jacquilynne at 9:23 AM on November 29, 2008

Nearly any furnace should last well beyond 10 years.

Her best course is to choose a quality HVAC contractor based on recommendations from others, and let them recommend the furnace. They've already done the homework, there's no reason for her to attempt to learn their business.
posted by HuronBob at 9:30 AM on November 29, 2008

thanks a lot for all your answers! We don't know how old the furnace is, but, apparently, it's in the exteremly bad condition now-- it's all rusty and leaking. Since she does not know much about when/why a furnace should be replaced, she called contractors and all contractors who saw it said it should be relpaced as soon as possible.
posted by ivanka at 9:56 AM on November 29, 2008

Has she read this tipsheet from the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (a government-owned agency)?
posted by joannemerriam at 10:04 AM on November 29, 2008

Agree with HuronBob; find a good HVAC company (or 3), tell them you want an Energy Star rated furnace that qualifies for any applicable tax credits and isn't overkill for your heating needs. They'll suggest several models from different manufacturers, but further investigation on your part probably isn't necessary as long as you did your homework when selecting the HVAC company; I'd pick the one with the best warranty and efficiency rating.
posted by bizwank at 11:11 AM on November 29, 2008

Just so you know: major household appliances, like a refrigerator, range, oven, washing machine, dryer, furnace or hot water heater should all last significantly beyond a decade without any special pampering, or any spectacular outlay of cash. These things ought to last a long, long time; failing within the first decade is the problematic exception, not the rule.
posted by paisley henosis at 1:14 PM on November 29, 2008

Instead of online consumer reviews (which I have seen both positive and negative reviews faked by companies and competition) check out non-biased Consumer Reports (available at TPL, or if you mefi-mail me I will email you some pdf's). I replaced my over 40 year old oil furnace last year and I am very happy with the GTA company I choose and would recommend them (again, mefi-mail for details). I actually over-spent to get the best efficiency and have saved in heating costs almost half the price of the new furnace in 12 months (YMMV). She should also book a home energy audit.
posted by saucysault at 2:39 AM on November 30, 2008

thanks to everyone! it was very helpful
posted by ivanka at 7:21 AM on December 1, 2008