replace the blower for now.
furnace next time it dies...
furnace next time it dies...
Blower replacement question
I am in Slate and Ceramic tile roofing------ so for all practical purposes I know nothing about furnaces.........
Situation--------- at the end of heating season----- like the last day or so----- the blower began making some noise- sounded like something needed lubed or a bearing going bad---- I don't know what all---- but it was the end of heating season so I shut the system off and figured I would deal with it later.....
6-8 weeks later I would like to get the AC up and running---- and I need the blower.
HVAC guy comes ( after a week) to inspect.
says there is a wheel which turns---and welds etc. on the wheel work loose in time. wheel needs replaced. says really should replace the blower since it will all be apart anyhow.
Says he is just the technician---- doesn't really handle sales---- says in his experience it's around $600 to replace the blower----and maybe $2500 if we just go ahead and replace the furnace
furnace is approaching 20 years old I think ( I have only owned the house 8 years.)
I have been waiting a week now- and have yet to receive a firm price on anything---- so of course I will be using another contractor--- however..............
would it be dumb of me to just have someone replace the blower and NOT replace the whole Furnace.- not that it effects the condition of the furnace- but I have a wedding to pay for this year and I would prefer to push replacing the furnace off for another year or so , LOL
What say you ?
stephen
Situation--------- at the end of heating season----- like the last day or so----- the blower began making some noise- sounded like something needed lubed or a bearing going bad---- I don't know what all---- but it was the end of heating season so I shut the system off and figured I would deal with it later.....
6-8 weeks later I would like to get the AC up and running---- and I need the blower.
HVAC guy comes ( after a week) to inspect.
says there is a wheel which turns---and welds etc. on the wheel work loose in time. wheel needs replaced. says really should replace the blower since it will all be apart anyhow.
Says he is just the technician---- doesn't really handle sales---- says in his experience it's around $600 to replace the blower----and maybe $2500 if we just go ahead and replace the furnace
furnace is approaching 20 years old I think ( I have only owned the house 8 years.)
I have been waiting a week now- and have yet to receive a firm price on anything---- so of course I will be using another contractor--- however..............
would it be dumb of me to just have someone replace the blower and NOT replace the whole Furnace.- not that it effects the condition of the furnace- but I have a wedding to pay for this year and I would prefer to push replacing the furnace off for another year or so , LOL
What say you ?
stephen
1 - 14 of 14 Posts
thanks- that's my inclination------ but I am interested in seeing if there are flaws in my logic.replace the blower for now.
furnace next time it dies...
I don't know anything really about the relative costs involved-and I don't know if furnaces are one of those things that you can just continue to fix indefinitely-- or if they have seriously finite lifespans----and comes a time where you are just flushing money down a toilet....
I am aware that we all sometimes make decisions based on what we WANT to be true---- rather than what is objectively the facts of the matter
thanks again,
stephen
The only "flaw" is that you will shell out X dollars and still have an older furnace. That is my sales talk.
6 bills does seem like a lot for a blower motor, and there likely are hvac outfits out there that will charge less, and still make money. Call around, and ask how much to replace the blower. You will find the right person, based on the phone conversation.
6 bills does seem like a lot for a blower motor, and there likely are hvac outfits out there that will charge less, and still make money. Call around, and ask how much to replace the blower. You will find the right person, based on the phone conversation.
I replaced a blower motor for my fishing buddy last week. Originally it was a 4 speed, 1/3 hp. Bearings got tight..
I replaced it with a 4 speed 1/2 hp because the 1/3 hp was no longer available.
I used a sharpie to mark the PCB with the wire colors.
The new motor had different color wires so I had to follow he schematic
and use a process of elimination.
Parts including a new run cap to match was $150 minus some change.
In and out in 2 hours. I could have done it quicker but this was a
horizontal unit in the attic.
Never seen or heard of welds coming loose on the squirrel cage. Sounds like he was out to score on you.
I replaced it with a 4 speed 1/2 hp because the 1/3 hp was no longer available.
I used a sharpie to mark the PCB with the wire colors.
The new motor had different color wires so I had to follow he schematic
and use a process of elimination.
Parts including a new run cap to match was $150 minus some change.
In and out in 2 hours. I could have done it quicker but this was a
horizontal unit in the attic.
Never seen or heard of welds coming loose on the squirrel cage. Sounds like he was out to score on you.
here is the update.
first guy came. took nothing apart---said welds probably loose on wheel---- but might as well replace the motor since" it would all be apart anyway" He wouldn't give me a firm price on anything---said " he isn't the one who prices things.......... Mumbled a rough idea of what a new furnace would cost-no specifics and left after collecting $70 from m y wife.- promised to email back price for wheel replacement, blower replacement,new furnace---------- haven't heard back in over a week
Meanwhile---- I am doing some slate and copper work for a customer---- HVAC guy comes to put in 2 airconditioners on the customers house-- I make an appointment for that guy to look at my furnace.....
so the 2nd guy comes
He came exactly when scheduled and his invoice reads" pulled blower motor----checked wheel,tight
checked shaft wheel on,not slipping
shaft has some play
checked amp draw,good
possible bearing going bad.
no noise on inspection-if noise comes back motor will need replaced
charged $80
verbally he told my wife to just run the thing until/if it fails- then replace the motor. says maybe $300 total including service call/parts etc.
stephen
first guy came. took nothing apart---said welds probably loose on wheel---- but might as well replace the motor since" it would all be apart anyway" He wouldn't give me a firm price on anything---said " he isn't the one who prices things.......... Mumbled a rough idea of what a new furnace would cost-no specifics and left after collecting $70 from m y wife.- promised to email back price for wheel replacement, blower replacement,new furnace---------- haven't heard back in over a week
Meanwhile---- I am doing some slate and copper work for a customer---- HVAC guy comes to put in 2 airconditioners on the customers house-- I make an appointment for that guy to look at my furnace.....
so the 2nd guy comes
He came exactly when scheduled and his invoice reads" pulled blower motor----checked wheel,tight
checked shaft wheel on,not slipping
shaft has some play
checked amp draw,good
possible bearing going bad.
no noise on inspection-if noise comes back motor will need replaced
charged $80
verbally he told my wife to just run the thing until/if it fails- then replace the motor. says maybe $300 total including service call/parts etc.
stephen
first guy or second guy?How much for a new whole unit from that guy?
stephen
Surprisingly, the old furnaces were about 80% efficient, which is the standard rating for today's furnaces. They also are tanks, and quite simple to work on, should something go amiss. They don't make em like they used to.Well,
the new ones will be more efficient for sure.
But, you have a wedding & open bar to pay for this year.
You mentioned the wedding on here and now you have to invite all of us.
SO, save your money for next year.
I don't have a full replacement cost from him---- because his indication was not to worry---- the furnace wasn't anywhere near ready to be replaced and if the problem re-occurs it can easily and quickly be solved for little money.The last guy. The one you liked.
It seems like the first companies plan was to shock us with how expensive a repair would be----so we would just go ahead and replace the whole thing.
stephen
1 - 14 of 14 Posts
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