Anonymous
Post 01/23/2025 10:28     Subject: I think we need a new furnace
I have a furnace and had duct banging as well with the old unit that got progressively worse until the blower crapped out and I replaced the whole unit. Now no more banging with the new unit
Anonymous
Post 01/23/2025 10:24     Subject: I think we need a new furnace
If pipes are banging it's probably a boiler, not a furnace. A boiler is used with radiators, furnaces are used to heat hot air that is blown around through ducts.

Boilers last a long, long time. I have one that is 49 years old. They do require regular maintenance. Banging could be caused by air getting in the pipes, which can be a simple fix.
Anonymous
Post 01/23/2025 08:27     Subject: I think we need a new furnace
Anonymous wrote:Why do you think you need a new furnace?

It is over 20 years old.
It was not keeping up yesterday.

Something kicked - and it is going again. But we know this will be something we need to explore in the next year.

We also get really bad pipes banging - typically at 2 AM as the temperature drops. Anyone know how to fix this?
Anonymous
Post 01/22/2025 22:02     Subject: I think we need a new furnace
We use Nugent, they're okay. They're not bad, but I'm not sure I would recommend them.
Anonymous
Post 01/22/2025 21:23     Subject: I think we need a new furnace
Anonymous wrote:Unconventional advice maybe, but I first would get 3 bids all from smaller firms which were local to my house.

If they are big enough to advertise on radio, they probably are too big for me.


This is the best advice. Or close, even better is to get recommendations from people you know.

The general rule in construction and home improvement is that any level of marketing beyond having a minimal web presence and maybe a sign on the truck is a total red flag. Good contractors don't have to advertise, they get all the work they can do from referrals.
Anonymous
Post 01/22/2025 19:45     Subject: I think we need a new furnace
Unconventional advice maybe, but I first would get 3 bids all from smaller firms which were local to my house.

If they are big enough to advertise on radio, they probably are too big for me.
Anonymous
Post 01/22/2025 19:15     Subject: I think we need a new furnace
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Who still uses a furnace?


Tens of millions of people?


We have a heater!
Anonymous
Post 01/22/2025 17:33     Subject: Re:I think we need a new furnace
We used Cold Comfort. We got a number of estimates and between price and customer service, I choose them. I’ve been happy. Interesting to me that every single company that I Got quotes from serendipitously quoted for the exact same system.
Anonymous
Post 01/22/2025 17:31     Subject: I think we need a new furnace
You picked a bad time of year to figure that out.
Anonymous
Post 01/22/2025 17:03     Subject: I think we need a new furnace
Anonymous wrote:Who still uses a furnace?


Tens of millions of people?
Anonymous
Post 01/22/2025 16:47     Subject: I think we need a new furnace
Who still uses a furnace?
Anonymous
Post 01/22/2025 16:39     Subject: I think we need a new furnace
Anonymous wrote:Why do you think you need a new furnace?


This.

Did it stop working?

Or is your heat set to 75 and is it struggling to keep up? Because that is very normal given the cold.
Anonymous
Post 01/22/2025 15:13     Subject: I think we need a new furnace
Stay away from FH Furr and Croppe Metcalfe.
Anonymous
Post 01/22/2025 14:55     Subject: I think we need a new furnace
Why do you think you need a new furnace?
Anonymous
Post 01/22/2025 13:21     Subject: I think we need a new furnace
What HVAC company do you recommend for installation OR who should I stay away from (in DC)