HVAC Question

[murfvol]

This has nothing to do with Butch, Jalen, Debord, or anyone involved with UT football.

I'm looking at buying an older house with one major flaw: the gas furnace doesn't vent properly. Since there are issues with the AC, I'm pondering throwing in a new HVAC unit, but doing so would require ductwork to be added.

Does anyone know how to ballpark estimates on such work (by square foot, etc.)? I shall return to complaining about all manner of things in future posts. Thanks for your help.

[Creek Walker]

Put in a window AC unit and a wood-burning stove, and spend the $$ you save on a lifetime subscription to Volquest so you can keep up with how far along our talks are with Bobby Petrino (and get the inside scoop on how we're going to pull a coup by bringing Peyton back as a coach).

[PirateVOL]

Put in a window AC unit and a wood-burning stove, and spend the $$ you save on a lifetime subscription to Volquest so you can keep up with how far along our talks are with Bobby Petrino (and get the inside scoop on how we're going to pull a coup by bringing Peyton back as a coach).

Don't get to keep up with the latest on Hurd's mom ...

[murfvol]

Thanks for pointing out substantial holes in my plan Creek and Pirate. I am now planning to live in a tent, and use the money saved to stay abreast of scuttlebutt pertaining to all actions of past and present UT players, coaches, and their families.

Wait, wouldn't Twitter provide all the accuracy in a more succinct format?

[Jethro]

I put a new HVAC unit in my home a few years back.  My house is fairly small (about 1000 sq feet) and my best estimate was for 3500.  I already had duct work but the guy was still under the house banging away all day.  I could have paid 1500$ more for an Energy Star unit which came with a 1500$ tax discount but I demurred.

[FLVOL]

This has nothing to do with Butch, Jalen, Debord, or anyone involved with UT football.

I'm looking at buying an older house with one major flaw: the gas furnace doesn't vent properly. Since there are issues with the AC, I'm pondering throwing in a new HVAC unit, but doing so would require ductwork to be added.

Does anyone know how to ballpark estimates on such work (by square foot, etc.)? I shall return to complaining about all manner of things in future posts. Thanks for your help.

For what it's worth, I just replaced my system a year ago. I was quoted $10K to have all of the duct work replaced (2,800 sq/ft house), but that included a tear out of the existing ductwork. I told them to pound sand, they were out to gouge. My duct had a few holes in, but the main trunk is metal and it was easily repaired by the company I picked for $150, and they just used some mastic. I had a new system installed, with some high speed infrared light air purifier included, for $8500, so shop around a bit

[73Volgrad]

Under no circumstances buy a Coleman or Goodman unit unless you can afford to replace it within a couple of years. Buy a name brand unit from an established HVAC contractor. If you get a very high efficiency gas unit, you can vent with CPVC pipe and not require double wall vent pipe. Go with a two-speed gas furnace/AC system if possible because it will run mostly at lower speed to save you money. I did not buy the highest efficiency one, but my gas heating bill reduced 60% or more. My cooling bill dropped 50%.

IMO if you have metal main trunk line that is not horribly undersized, you will only need new duct to transition from new unit to trunk line. Buy a good filter unit that does not use monthly throw-away fiberglas filter (a waste of money). IMO do not let anyone talk you into a humidifier unless you can clean the duct for mold yourself.

Without knowing anything about your house or location, look to spend $7,000 to $9,000 installed for a unit.

[murfvol]

Thanks a ton for the info! Y'all have been immensely helpful. I have never had to replace a system before, and Google provided information overload.