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I'm looking to replace my furnance for my walkout basement, which is about 900 square feet. The house is in Charlotte, NC, so the winters get cold, but not freezing. The basement it surrounded by dirt on three sides, and all windows are double panes. Upstairs there are two additional fairly new HVAC systems for the main and upper floor. The AC unit for the basement is also fairly new. This furnance is only for the basement.
Possible buyers of the house believe the furnace for the basement needs replacing. It's pretty old, and my inspection when I bought the house 4 years ago said the same thing, so despite it working fine right now, I believe it probably does need replacing. Their furnance guy quoted a replacement for that furnance at $4500. Is that a reasonable amount?
I can't think of too many things people don't replace until they fail, except light bulbs.
Systems in a house have a life expectancy. A gas furnace typically has an expected life of 16 years. While they may still be "working", the heat exchanger (for instance) is likely about done. No one wants to replace a furnace, or water heater after it has failed, or after they just moved into their new house.
You did not mention the actual age of the unit. However, if it was considered old 4 years ago, its probably ready to go. If you priced your house lower to account for the age of the furnace, then I would say the buyer is on their own. If you got top dollar, then maybe it might be in your court to replace the old unit, or maybe split the difference with the new buyer.
If a HVAC contractor can give it a thumbs up (after a tune up service), then maybe buy them a one year warranty.
Just offhand, the price seems high to me. We just replaced a 43 year old natural gas furnace here in September (heats 1500 sf upstairs and 1400 sf downstairs) with a new standard efficiency gas unit for $3600. I suspect I could have done that cheaper, but have used the company before and know they'll stand behind the furnace and the work.
I'd get another quote or two. Check company ratings in your area, too. When we quoted a furnace + A/C for my daughter's place a few years ago, the quotes ran from $6500 - $10,000+. Quite a variance and the $6500 place worked out great.
I live in CT in a 900 sq ft ranch,well insulated with excellent window's.I have hot air heat.
When I moved in I saw that bay window wall register was disconnected and diverted to heat basement.I reconnected it and installed a blue flame 18,000 BTU heater to natural gas line to heat basement,has fan and thermostat,never had it above #2 setting to maintain 70 degree's,We have laundry in basement.
My gas bill with gas water heater was $860 for last year.
Possible buyers of the house believe the furnace for the basement needs replacing.
It's pretty old, and my inspection when I bought the house 4 years ago said the same thing...
Let them adjust their offer to reflect what they believe the value is...
the same as YOU did when you bought and learned to live with things as they are.
Price the house right and there should be no squabble- Charlotte right now is a seller's market; and should be in the 95-97% of asking price.
Don't get wrangled into something you don't want to get involved in...
...there's another buyer waiting.
I would roll with this philosophy
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