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Apparently not, Richard. What can I say - at least I try my best to be sensitive to others. I don't succeed all the time, but I do try!
Since I do most of my posting from my iPhone, I don't have access to the emoticons to show I was kidding about something, so I try to choose my words as carefully as I can.
But, like I said, sometimes I fail!
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
Explorer, this experience merits a serious visit to the owner of the dealership. I would refuse a bumper repair---needs to be a new one. Once the issues were resolved, I would find another Ford dealer. Good luck.
Richard
Really sorry to hear about your HVAC problems. We have two units that are 23 years old. I'm just holding my breath with this severe winter in North Carolina. I had an estimate for the downstairs unit the other day just in case something happens. That unit will be $7,500 which includes a furnace replacement. The old one won't accommodate these new units that they make today. If I go ahead and do the upstairs as well, we're looking at $15k. There is one positive to this scenario. The new systems would be more efficient and cause my heating/air bills to be lower. Still, it would take a lot of years to recoup $15k in energy savings.
Richard
LOL! Are you kidding? Driver would never take that opportunity.
Richard
Driver doesn't get discouraged by insults....he has been insulted by much better people!
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
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The thing that bothers me is you are going to spend all that dough and no one is going to even see or know about your new furnace. At least with a new car or a Rolex you can impress your friends or your neighbors. No one wants to hear about your amazing new furnace because, well, quite frankly, furnaces are b-o-r-i-n-g.
I'd put the money into a new F-150 and hope the weather improves.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Furnace update. Went ahead with 2nd estimate this am from a local family owned place with a good rep. Even though we signed contract last night I figured if enough difference I could back out. Quite a bit cheaper. Primary difference is more expensive is a Lennox with some bells and whitles and cheaper one is a goodman setup. Similar specs (still dual stage variable speed motor, comparable efficiency).
Discussed with wife and decided to let it ride since we commuted already. Will just convince myself extra cost is worth it for brand differential and not because I made a rash decision and got ripped off.
Either way new system will go in tomorrow
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
we went with the dual stage because we have always had problems with upstairs and downstairs being out of sync. Freezing on first floor, hot on 2nd in the summer. Etc. This set up is supposed to cure that.
Back in August 2008 I had the next to the top of the line Lenox furnace/AC installed. The highest end box had a continuously variable speed blower for both heat and A/C. What we have is a 2 speed blower. Low speed for heat and high speed for A/C, which is the old conventional method.
You say you are getting the 2 stage system and someone thought that was a dual unit, which is one system for the lower level and one for the upper level. We have the 2 stage thingy and that is only the number of burners that initially kick in. The first stage kicks in only 3 of the six burners and the second stage kicks in all 6 after a period of time, which is dependent on when the system senses the return air temp, is still too low for what the thermostat is set to. It is supposed to be a fuel cost savings because you burn less gas with only one stage but to be honest with you I don’t see too much of a savings. I’ll tell you this; even with all burners lit the air temp is only around 115 F at the closest outlet which is in the FR. The old furnace was around 135 F. With the old beast I could not hold my hand on the plenum at the furnace for even a second. Now I can hold it there all day. Mrs. J still can’t get used to how long it takes for the house to get up to temp and when I explain to her it’s because the air is not as warm she says she’d like the old furnace back again but she’ll keep the A/C. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not terrible, just not as warm after 5 minutes or so but eventually it gets there.
I hope by the time you see this post you are well on your way to a new system. This sure ain’t the time of the year to be messin around with no heat.
Good luck,
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
Mike, since you asked.....I've watched that show a couple of times. Maybe it's because these reality shows tend to go from informative (the "Chasing Classic Cars" variety...to absurd (my son's GF was watching something called "honey boo boo" at my home over the holidays.....geesh)!
I've heard all the alleged controversy over the family....and in particular, the Patriarch. Maybe I'm too much of a cynic, but somewhere in the back of my mind I wonder if the controversy wasn't all pre-planned; that the whole thing is contrived.
The Patriarch was part of the same college football team as Terry Bradshaw, and I've heard stories that he was actually better than Bradshaw. The CEO son has a college degree, and obviously expanded the family business more than just duck calls based on the success of their business. He's not some backwater hick, either. His wife is more Vanity Fair than she is Field and Stream. So, the whole "We're just backwoods simple folk" routine does make me raise at least one eyebrow concerning all the "reality" claim and all the surrounding publicity.
That said, I know a lot of people who are entertained by it. I'm just not a reality show fan. Seems most of them start out being at least somewhat interesting, Then, they quickly devolve into some sort of contrived controversy to keep attention on them.
But, as you say, if you look at it as a situation comedy, or as a series of sketches, and not as a look at their real life/business, maybe that's the way to enjoy it.
Do you mean preplanned like the Bachelor's comments? I recall the saying that any publicity is good publicity as long as they spell my name right.
The reality shows are just too transparent. I am amazed at the folks who sit and watch some of this horse that passes as unscripted television. Of course, I'm appalled by the news shows people accept as well. In honor of Driver100, I always enjoy the Canada Free Press site.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Remember that your old furnace only had one stage and it ran on high all the time. Also with your old furnace, about 35% of your fuel was going out the chimney - today it's probably about 5%.
Don't feel too bad. I had something similar happen last winter when the septic line under the house decided to reverse direction requiring excavation and installation of a grinder pump. Took ALL of my ready cash just as taxes were due. Not a good time.
Fortunately by fall I was able to go on a buying spree once more. I assume that you have two jobs like me so you can make up that lost ground in no time.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Using the lower temperature should give a higher efficiency heating your home as well as feeling more even. With the hot output of air, which many like as the "warm" heat from gas, when the thermostat is satisfied, and the hot air is at the ceiling and around cold windows and doors the air is still cool. But by having a lower temperature for the circulating air, the air is moved longer and more evenly. This makes the room just as warm but has evened out the heat around the cool areas.
It's the same as the oversized AC syndrome: the AC quickly cools the air in home without being on long enough to thoroughly cool around hot areas. Also the humidity removal doesn't occur because the AC isn't on long enough and doesn't circulate long enough over cold coils to thoroughly remove the humidity.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
I just had to have some work done on our furnace. A couple of weeks ago, we noticed that cold air was blowing out of the vents. Had my step-son take a quick look - our house doesn't have a basement, so the furnace is in the attic. Instead of a pilot light, our furnace has a ceramic heating element. This is the part that failed. And, it turns out you can't buy them over the counter.
$275 later, I had heat in the house (and an extra element should the new one fail). The furnace and A/C were installed when the house was built almost 14 years ago, so I wonder how much longer I'll have before they need to be replaced.
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
I know the theory but in reality, in our house, it does not work like that. I guess you could say we're due for a full house window replacement, but that is never going to happen. I doubt that I could live long enough to have that pay for itself but if I was a window salesman I'd try like hell to convince me otherwise. Mrs. j has already drank the Kool Aid about all this energy savings with new windows but like I said, it's not going to happen in our house. My next door neighbor drank that stuff and the main differnce to him was the looks. Our windows still look pretty good, all things considered.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
Turns out they could start today so job is underway. Will have heat later today but ac will go I. Tomorrow. I think we can live without that.
We are getting a single unit with dual stage heating and the continuously variable motor. So supposed to be max efficient and much more even up and down stairs. But we shall see. Our old set up was running like a vw bug with bad valves so anything will be vastly cheaper to run. We were probably at about 60% on the old one at this point from what tech said. New one is 96%.
I hopefully the Lennox is worth the premium since that is what going in. And at least we aren't freezing tonight again. House stayed in50s so far but going down close to 0 tonight.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
They keep saying 20 on a furnace and 15-20 on AC unit. We were at 21 on both now. Furnaces can go longer usually but ours had some problems.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
When I was getting quotes back in 2008, one guy wanted more for the Goodman than the guy I went with that installed the Lenox. Goodman seemed to be the off major brand that everyone one quoted compared to their name brand. The Lenox guy said he only sold Lenox and if I wanted a different brand I had to go elsewhere.
The best one was when a guy my cousin recommended showed up who dealt with American Standard. His price was way out of line compared to three other quotes I had gotten and when I asked if he was serious he said, “yeah, I only install the best”. I’m not saying American Standard is not good but when I questioned his price again, he wanted to know who gave me a better price. I usually don’t do this but since I knew I wasn’t going to go with him I told him who it was. His reply was, “I wish you had told me that before I showed up because I don’t like wasting my time. I can never beat that guy’s prices but I’ll install it better than he does”. I didn’t bite on that. Like I said, I got the Lenox. I’m pretty picky about this kind of stuff and I don’t know how much better it could have been installed.
I still can’t believe a guy would say he can’t compete with another guy’s price. If this was a car dealer he’d have said his service department is way better, and that I might have believed, if I was a first time car buyer.
Good to hear you will be warm pretty soon. Unless you get a bad out of the box Lenox you should have a reliable system for years to come.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
Trucks in driveway now so heat soon. Fairly warm right now so not bad with all the in and out of the house. Tomorrow will be 20degrees colder but sunny for the guys coming to install the AC UNIT. all the prep work will be run for that so just have to put in place and make connections outside.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
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Don't forget to tuck a copy of the receipt into your 2014 tax folder. With any luck, the energy efficiency tax laws will be approved for 2014.
I don't know how true this is, but the guy that installed my new HVAC a few years ago is an independent. He said Goodman made most of the components for Lennox, American Standard, etc. He also said the main differences in all the brands are the covers, the fans and the thermostats that control the variable speed blower(s).
Mine is a Goodman. I've had zero issues. And, given that my old HVAC was 18 years old at the time I replaced it, the new one cut my energy bill by about 35%-40%. To me, that's pretty significant.
I've talked to a few HVAC installers. They all agree. It's not the unit you have installed, as they're more or less the same. it's the quality of the installation and all the custom on-site fabrication that's required. In my case, the newer furnace is smaller, with in-line humidifier and air cleaner. Plus, I had baffles installed in my duct work so I can control different parts of the house with different temps.
I know Goodman doesn't advertise like Lennox and some of the others. Don't know if that matters or not.
Thanks GG. I wish I had had more time to research, etc. I probably would have decided to save the money with goodman but water under bridge now
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Dealership and service issues are the main reason my wife and I both drive Lexus cars. I don't know if they are all as good as our dealer, but I suspect all Lexus dealers are pretty good. They just do the work and do it right with a good attitude. Life is too short to have to put up with incompetent or crooked dealers.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
@jmonroe
Maybe you'll get "lucky" and have a hailstorm or other weather event that damages your windows. That's how my parents got new windows. A few got broken in a storm, and their house is old enough that the original windows are no longer available, so insurance (minus the deductible) paid to have all the windows replaced.
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2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
Review your vehicle
I got a new roofing and siding that way. All free. Quite the savings .
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
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Just curious, how did they arrange for that to happen?
I used to drive my 62 Comet around hoping someone would hit it.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
For those following my saga I now have heat pouring out the vents. Don't realize how much you appreciate that until you lose it. Nice and quiet. Thermostat is like an iPad and is wifi connected so I can run it via an app on my phone. Why I don't know. But I can.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Unfortunately I am not that lucky yet. We have Anderson double hung windows that were top of the line when the house was built in the mid 70's. We are the third owners and so far I have needed the lower sash unit 3 times (due to Mrs. j's aim being off about a foot). Seriously, they just cracked for no apparant reason and Anderson still had them in stock.
Mrs. j tried to convince me the third time to just get new windows altogether but I weasled out of that poor excuse to spend that kind of money for windows that are still pretty good. Hopefully, if a hail storm does show up they'll be out of them by then.
FWIW, Son #1 had his roof replaced about 3 years ago when a freakish tornado came through his area (about 10 miles from me). IIRC, he said at least 40% of the homes in that area got new roofs. He moved from that house a little over a mile away this past summer and the new house got a new roof at the same time. Some people have all the luck. Me, I just buy replacement lower sash units.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
That is good news stickguy. A Lennox heat pump and gas furnace came with this house which we bought new in 2006. They have been great so far. You should be good to go now.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
Thank you imid. We also have a very fair national newspaper that has nice conservative views, and some excellent articles. The National Post at www.nationalpost.com
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
But it's cool!
In 2006 my old oil furnace was toast (actually was lucky as when disassembled for removal some rust holes were found in the heat exchanger, so there could have been some flue gases in the house). Since nat gas had been put in the street around that time I went with a hi-efficiency gas furnace. Got quotes on Lennox and Tempstar, went with the Tempstar with no issues. It has the variable speed blower and seems to work well. Until this year the heating cost was absurdly cheaper than oil, but for some reason the price of nat gas here has shot up over the past year so although it is still cheaper it is not the screaming deal it once was.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
Even though we hit 85 degrees here today, I am very concerned about these frigid temperatures in the upper Midwest and eventually hitting the Eastern US.
I spoke with my daughter about 45 minutes ago and she told me they are expecting temperatures to drop to 20 below zero tonight with windchills somewhere near 40 below zero. She lives about 36 miles northwest of Chicago.
I suggested that she take a vacation and come down here, but she said with schools closed, she has had her hands full.
I pray everyone up there stays warm and indoors. I remember how bad those Midwestern winters can get - spent 23 years in the Chicago area - brutal winters.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
I'm finding this conversation about HVAC systems very interesting.
My system is 80% efficiency gas with forced air and I have 2 zones.
I have a finished basement that does not have it's own zone.
After the furnace went out a few weeks ago, I decided to open up the vents in the basement.
It seems to run a little less,or not as long when it kicks on, probably due to less cold pushing up into the first floor.
About the car, the dealer called me today and I'm bringing it in next Monday.
They are going to give me a car with a dealer plate, so I think everything is going to be 'hush hush'.
Lennox heat pump--20 years old. Full system was replaced so the inside coils and box are all balanaced. Last summer the inside coils were cooling then they would quit. Turned out to be a control valve on the inside coils. About $450 to R&R because it was hard to access. But I would have been open to buying a whole new system. However, so much diagnostic work had to be done to test the inside control valve that the cost would have been additional, I assume, and I didn't really have a sales speech given.
We just decided to repair. Two years earlier it was the motor on the outside unit that blows the air on the condenser. Two years earlier it was the inside air blower. The scroll compressor is a fairly efficient unit, but I am sure I could have improved on efficiency with a new one.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
This is becoming abusive! 85 deg..
We're having a fairly middle of the road winter. I suspect it's statistically within the 50% of the 2nd and 3rd quartiles. For snow depth it's been less than usual here.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
stickguy....you got heat. That is a good thing. Plus, it sounds like we will all have some serious thermostat envy.
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My opinion is that if I want reality I would turn off the TV and go outside. Reality shows support my belief that 15 minutes is too much fame for most people to have. But different strokes for different folks, if you like it all that matters is that enough other people like it to keep it on the air.
Personally I look at TV for more escapism and there are only a hand full of shows that I would go out of my way to see.
Now She Who Must Be Obeyed watches a lot of reality shows. I sometimes catch a few minutes of them, some look OK and others I just want to reach through the screen and slap people.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
That wasn't the point of my post. My point was that compentancy is independent of where one works. Dealerships and indy shops both have their fair share of good and bad mechanics.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Snake, I HATE REALITY SHOWS. Nothing is more disgusting than watching these shows, but this one is an exception. Very humorous, a little hokey, but over the top funny.
I agree with you - if I want reality I can go into my Dad's room and hear him for a few hours. That's why TV is my escapism as well.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
My sister got new soundproof windows from the airport she lives by. Kind of upsets me since 1.) she choose to live by the airport, its not like she work up one morning to find an airport in her back yard. and 2.) while you could hear the planes in her yard she is far enough away from the flight path that you never heard them inside the house with the old windows shut.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
One thing that I don't like about this new Edmunds system is that it mixes two quotes to look like one. In your shadow box, Mike's quote was mixed with mine to make it appear that I said all of that,
As for you being insulted by better people, I'm sure that's true. I never claim to be better, just consistent.
Mine wasn't really an insult; I was just telling the truth. Also, I used a "smiley" after it. After all of this time, I feel comfortable kidding you.
Richard
Well I am glad you have heat now, not having it for any amount of time can be a big hassel.
Well suppose you program your thermostat to turn up when you get home but you will be getting home early, just use the app and get the house warmed up for you when you get there. Or you are stooping on the way home for dinner then a show, just reset it so it doesn't go on until just before you get home.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
As you said, people may not know that I got a new HVAC system and spent the $15k. Still, when they come to visit, they will be comfortable. I can't promise them that with a new Rolex or a new F150.
Richard
Well I am currently at my tax job and its 5 below out there and getting colder, it's supposed to be 10 below when I head home and tomorrow morning when I go to my real job its supposed to be 15 below. [insert frozen emotorcon here]
I am currently lobbying for them to move our offices to Hawaii.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
So glad that you will be warm and toasty tonight. I know that it doesn't sound like much, but we're expecting 8-12 inches of snow tomorrow and Wednesday. The snow will be accompanied by sleet and ice. It's pretty difficult to deal with that kind of weather in coastal North Carolina. I'm just hoping that we don't lose our power. The city never buried the power lines in the historic district of town. The last time that it happened to us back in the 90's, we didn't have power for a week. If I'm not here for a few days, you'll know what happened. Enjoy the new heat/air system. Hopefully, your energy savings will help cushion the blow to the budget.
Richard
Your sash unit may have cracked due to settlement issues with your house. It's a natural thing to happen. I had that happen in one of our houses. The Pella dealer said that it was a settlement issue. Since they came with a 20 year warranty, they were replaced for free. Most of those double pane sashes don't last but about 12 years, or so I was told.
Richard
Good luck. I hope that doesn't hit with as much damage as you're suggesting it might. I didn't realize a snow storm was going through that didn't involve us here in the upper midwest. I even feel bad now about complaining about our 8 or 10 below tonight when others post their colder temps.
Our local power company is asking people to conserve power. We're all electric, so there's not much I can do other than turn off lights and water heater. "Record-breaking electricity use is possible Tuesday due to the extreme cold weather, said PJM Interconnection, the electricity grid operator for more than 61 million people in [ Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, **North Carolina, Ohio, ** Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia].
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
All electric?? How can you afford to heat your house??
@stickguy
Glad you got heat again. I guess I shouldn't complain that I had to fill my oil tank with $722 worth of #2 on Saturday (200 gallons @ $3.61/gallon)
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
My kid's school in Indiana is closed today and tomorrow. Police are issuing tickets if they find you outside after 6pm.
I know you were kidding and actually Mikes saying was very clever - I just didn't want to give him the satisfaction by acknowledging it!
Sometimes it's better not to say anything - and in this case, you missed your chance!.
Doing quote on here is difficult, but, I find the best way is to hi-lite the part you want to quote and copy it, then paste it right after the person's name you want to reply to. Then delete all the rest of the message. (sometimes the rest shows up and sometimes it doesn't).
Then, leave an arrow > like that on the left side, leave a space or two, and your new message should be separate from the rest of the quote.
Good luck!
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250