I may need a new furnace, what brand / model do you recommend

I had a Goodman furnace installed last summer w/ air conditioning and install with parts - was less than $2000.00. That is before the tax credit...
Whatever you get - make sure it is an energy efficient one so you can get the tax credit:
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?...edits.tx_index

Tempstar is made at the same factory as carrier, kenmore, and a couple others but without the brand name prices. Parts are common if needed, but they are some of the most reliable units out there.

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Originally Posted by MarkCO

you really should get a permit, especially if you ever plan on selling the house.

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Yep. Pull a permit. It will end up biting you in the ass if you don't.

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Originally Posted by MarkCo

As for the tankless water heaters, strongly recomend you pass. They are good for some applications, but their safeties in general are not enough yet and the cost will NEVER be returned even with a rebate. A high efficieny water heater (with a commercial tank) is a much better option financially and from an efficiency standpoint.

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Tankless water heaters are not all they are cracked up to be. Typically they run twice to three times the price of a conventional water heater AND frequently the house, or at least a portion of it, will have to have larger gas pipe installed to handle the larger input BTU requirement of a tankless. This will add considerable expense to a retrofit installation.

Yes, I am a certified installer for both Rinnai and Takagi tankless heaters, but I think for most applications a homeowner is better off with a conventional tank style water heater.