Yes, low end 80% eff furnace...should have gotten quotes and a better furnace.

TD

A 15 year old furnace is not that old and likely could have been repaired. Was there a coil for the AC on top of the furnace? If so was the coil replaced? It sounds like this was more than a simple furnace replacement if it took 12 hours.

You should always shop for bids when you don't know much about the product. But since you already had it done, it's water under the bridge and asking us if you paid too much wont' really change anything.

I appreciate all you responses. And yes, I should have known. At the time, all I wanted was to fix my unit. I've been having issues with my furnace for the past two years and finally decided to replace with a new one since the old unit had a crack in the heat exchanger. The unit was about 30 yrs old, not 15 as i previously mentioned.

After the install and payment, I had this feeling that I should have shopped around. It was my fault. As for asking this question, I anticipated your answers. In a way, this is a form of self-flagellation. This will not happen again. Also, I've discussed this with my friends and was told that Bell Brothers usually charges way more than others.

IT WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN!!!

7 large for a new furnace isn't bad. Relax please.

nothing seems to cost leass than 10k these days!

You two are kidding, right? $7k-10k for a low end furnace is highway robbery.

I'm guessing that's what you try to charge, though.

I just had my air conditioner/furnace replaced. I shopped and bought a replacement for 7K.

AC and a furnace for $7K is reasonable. But not for a Rudd 80% efficiency furnace.

It depends on how much and what duct work was done. If new hard metal ducts were installed or sealed and a lot of work was done, maybe not too high. If flex duct and new AC equipment was not included, it could be on the high end.

Some of you need to remember that there are areas where higher efficiency furnaces are not economical to upgrade to, especially if put in place of an 80 percent unit and the vent runs need to be put in and the old exhaust vents sealed.

12 hours and how many workers?

Is this Bell Brothers of Mather, CA?

Some of you need to remember that there are areas where higher efficiency furnaces are not economical to upgrade to, especially if put in place of an 80 percent unit and the vent runs need to be put in and the old exhaust vents sealed.

True, but that should result in an easier (less expensive) replacement job than a HE furnace would be.

12 hours 2 up to 3 workers. Complete duct replacement, new return vent 20x30 to replace old 3 - 6x13(?) floor returns, plug up the old return holes, re-rout AC coil condenser drain pipes. Old ones including the catch pan were leaking and overflowing (causing ceiling water damage, A new extended catwalk in the attick and expanded work platform for the new furnace. New venting on the roof. This is a 6 room duct replace.

I was a bit disappointed when I realized that I got a lower end RUUD furnace. I retained my old AC. Still working and cooling the house. Work was done by Bell Brothers (Sacramento)

Regardless, I've accepted what I've paid. My fault if paid too high. Lesson learned. I even tipped the workers $100.00. They did a great job.

Presuming that the new furnace is a proper match to the AC coil, you probably will be okay. If not, you may lose a bit of efficiency when using AC.

In the last three years, I've put in new furnaces and first time AC in two homes (a total of 3 separate systems) a bit to the south of where you are and both in more coastal locations. Both times, the contractors (different ones because of different areas involved) recommended sticking with 80% furnaces because of the short and relatively mild heating seasons we have. Your winters are a bit cooler in the Sac area but are still pretty mild compared to most of the country. I think it will work out.

Ruud is a brand of Rheem, certainly a mainstream manufacturer. If it turns out you're unhappy with the furnace, that would be a not-too-expensive option to change again down the road when it's time to replace the AC equipment.

Well, it sounds like there was a lot of additional work done on this installation. Depending on the complexity of those additional items, things may not be as bad as they seemed initially.