I have received 2 quotes on a new furnace for my 2 story wood frame colonial with 22 windows. Cold air returns on 1st floor only.
total sq.ft. - 1780
exixting furnace - 115,000 BTU Carrier Comfortmaker 80% single stage burner / blower. Date of installation 1987.
reason for new furnace - high fuel bill, cold spots and generally cold house.
contractor #1 - measured entire house, duct work, cold air returns and windows, then spent 3 hours going over calculations and units avail. And came up with the following information.
old unit is sized to big for my house and recommends 90,000 2 stage burner, variable speed blower with humidifer - Goodman make installed with standard mfg. warranty. Cost was $6,888.00
contractor 2 - looked at existing unit said it was sized wrong and in 20 minutes had a quote and recommendation of what we could use.
60,000 to 80,000 BTU with the same features recommended by # 1. Went with the 80,000 unit because he said that the 60,0000 would work to hard but could be used if I choose.
Goodman $3,500 - installed
Trane $4,500 - installed
why would there be so much difference between the two contractors and the size of units recommended?
