New Furncce or replace control module?

BartP

Our Carrier Weathermaker 9200 gas furnace developed a problem today. The main control module failed. This is estimated to be about a $600.00 repair. The repair man suggested that I might want to install a new furnace rather than invest the money in a new board.

We installed the Weathermaker 9200 in January 1995. It's a single stage model and is a condensing unit with a 92 AFUE rating. Looking on-line I see that the latest model furnaces are not carrying an AFUE rating much higher than the 92 AFUE rating that we have on our current model.

So the question is repair this older (but still pretty efficient unit) for $600 or so or replace it and spend $4000.00 or more for a new unit that seems not to be too much more efficient.

Thanks in advance for any advise you can offer.

BartP

Mark Hunt_3

If it was me


I would repair it.

I installed those furnaces back in my install days. They are a pretty good piece of equipment.

You are correct, a newer furnace isn't going to buy you much more in the way of efficiency.

Mark H

tim smith

Repair or replace

We work on these all the time, good units. Definately not worth replacing unit. One important item, the heat exchangers tend to fail on these units around this age. They should check it thoroughly, secondary radiator style radiator tends to corrode through at this age and primary clam shell heat exchanger cells will either crack or have corroded holes in dimples of heat ex. The heat exchangers that have failed will still be under warranty (part only). So good time to identify and repair. Ask repair co. if they have done throrough check of heat ex. We have to normally dismantle furnace to do thorough check. Just FYI.

Unknown

I agree with Mark

I would replace the board. It is more than likely with that unit another 5 to 8 years of service will be available.

BartP

Thanks for the replies guys.

Fortunately we just installed a good quality gas fireplace over the summer. The fireplace (a Heat & Glow Cernona) is really cranking out the heat. Good thing. We live in upstate NY and are expecting a pretty big storm tonight and tommorrow. Looks like we'll be OK for a few days without the furnace thanks to the fireplace.

I just spoke with the HVAC salesman and they're coming out on Monday morning. We'll make a decision by then. The company rep agreed with you all that the furnace is of decent quality. He spent a while going over the advantages of the newer furnaces though. Specifically the multi-stage burners and variable speed fans. If I understand him correctly the AFUE rating is an important part of the equation, but the other new features also improve efficiency and comfort over and above what the AFUE numbers indicate.

I'll do some homework between trips out to clear the driveway tommorrow.

Thanks again for your advise,

Bart Poran

Mitch_4

Take a look at the board

Older Weathermaker 9200's had the control module in the upper vesibule area. CArrier made a kit to relocate them to the blower compartment.

It was part of a program at one time, and the kit was no charge. Not sure if it is still a free kit.

Did about 100 myself. Takes about an hour.

Mitch