Hi Everyone,
I was on here before asking about my broken electric furnace and whether the tech diagnosed the issue correctly. Well the thing broke again and he tells me I need a new furnace and I'll need to pay $3,250 to build a stand for it (it's currently hanging on the wall) reroute the condensation line and vent exhaust, and to add a new subpanel to my circuit breaker since the new furnace needs two breakers and my panel is full. Note that this doesn't even include the cost of the new furnace.

I thought this was fishy so I had two more people give estimates. One says he can put in a new furnace for $2,000 with a new stand, and that I don't need a new circuit breaker panel. The other says I can just replace the air handler for far less money and that I don't need a stand.

Three people, three answers. I know that none of you has seen the furnace so you can't really tell me which guy is right but could you answer these questions?
Do I need a new circuit breaker if I get a new furnace?
If just the air handler is broken, should I just replace the air handler and not the entire furnace? I know that newly installed AC units need to be 13 SEERs, and I was told that 13 SEERs don't work with old furnaces so if the AC unit ever went out I'd need to replace the furnace too.
If I do get a new furnace, what's a good recommendation? Can you just go by the square footage of the building? (My place is 1,000 sq. ft. 500 each on two floors).

Thanks,
KM

Jez -- I know nothing about electric furnaces but that stand must be being built of gold.Also can not see why would need a electric upgrade if installing same size furnace.

Your post is a little confusing. The one thing that is clear is that the first guy is trying to take advantage of your lack of knowledge. Unfortunately for him, you have AMHD. Electric furnaces don't have vents, or is the vent for something else?

Many people can't give a good description of their system. We are here to help. Northern Heat has prepared a sticky. Your next step is to go to the top of the Heating forum and familiarize yourself with furnaces. Once you understand your system a little better, post back with more details.

You may need help from our electrical expert too. In some cases, codes require changes for new equipment. It may be possible to shoehorn in more breakers by using tandem breakers.

All electric furnaces can be repaired. Parts are available. Get a better repair person

I have a Rheem forced-air electric heater which is at least 15 years old but probably more. I know it's not a 90%, but I don't know if it's 80% or natural draft.

What was happening was that when it got somewhat cold at night (40 degrees or so) the heat wouldn't turn on, so I'd wake up to a cold house. By setting the temperature on the thermostat lower than air temp and then higher again I could get the heat to kick back on.

The first time I had it looked at the wires to the limit were burned up, so the guy replaced the limit and trimmed the wires. It didn't get cold for a few months but then one night it got cold and there was no heat again, but this time I couldn't get it to turn back on at all. When the guy looked at it again the wires are in the limit were really badly burned and there was something wrong with the heating element, and he said I needed a new furnace.

That's where I'm at now. The last guy I talked with said the wires burned out because there's something wrong with the heating element and its possibly related to the limit (if it's the wrong sized limit) and possibly due to the breaker (if the breaker is set for the wrong current load). He says he can replace the element and fix whatever else looks bad for less than $400.

This is what I think I'm going to do but I'm just concerned about safety. Is there any possibility that this thing is going to start a fire? Should I just replace the whole thing? I've got another estimate of about $2,300 for a new furnace which will be 13 SEER ready. Is that a better option? My condenser seems to be in pretty good condition and I don't expect it to break soon so a 13 SEER furnace seem unnecessary.

Thanks,
KM

It is niether a 90, 80 or natural draft if it is an electric furnace. All electric furnaces are 100%. Not that you could tell by the electric bill. It doesn't sound like the tech's no what they are doing. Based on age, maybe it is better to replace due to the fact blower motor and other parts will probably go bad soon. It should not cost over 2300 is not a bad price and you should get a 5 year part warranty.

Good luck.