HVAC Denver Area - any rec's on installers and systems?

[Ramsker]

30 years is a miracle! Consider yourself blessed. Time to replace. Figure 8-12K $ for both furnace and AC installed by reputable company

Beware the upsale of “upgrading” to a 2 stage system for both furnace or AC. All the two stage system does is run at a slower fan and compressor speeds for about 20 minutes then switches to hi speed to finally cool off or heat up the house. Waste of $$$ and added complexity that isn’t justified, wish I had just gotten a single stage. Get a super high efficiency single stage system for both AC and furnace.

3 years ago Got quotes from Applewood and ARS (home depot reference) for 16K and 18k (minus Home depot “discount” 10% for 16.2 k) for cheap low end 80% furnace and low end 14seer AC. Very disappointing, high end quote for crap hardware. Quote guys came in company vehicles to house with semi-hi pressure sales.

Wound up getting a 96% efficient furnace and 16 SEER 3.5 ton compressor and install kit from Goodman for 5k delivered and had local guy install for 2.5K. AC compressor did lose a start capacitor within 6 months, but that was a $30 repair. System has run good with no issues outside of the start capacitor. Keep in mind that converting to a high efficiency condensing furnace will require running new intake/exhaust ABS/PVC piping of at least 3 inches diameter.

Winter natural gas consumption went down by about 40% with the 96percent furnace, very welcome for the pocketbook with all the price increases in gas recently. Electrical bill in summer was equal to previous years bills, but house was kept cooler.

Again, focus on getting a 96-98 percent efficient single stage furnace and at least a 16 seer or higher AC condenser unit. I also got Colorado State rebates on my taxes, check to see if they still have those for extra savings.

Yeah, I'm kinda thinking the smart thing to do would be replace before something else goes wrong and my odds of that happening are almost certainly increasing with each added month. But I've also managed to outsmart myself before. lol. I do want to know if it's repairable and what cost would be, but guessing it's at least $1k (if lucky) and that $1k is probably better spent towards new rather than patch old and roll the dice.

Guy that came out today did mention that the high efficiency units would require different exhaust setup. Fortunately, the utility room is in a corner of the basement and has what should be pretty easy access to the exterior. So that part shouldn't be a huge issue for an install. Appreciate the advice on the single stage vs dual stage.