Home Repair forum - Furnace motor

Author

Furnace motor - Too much to pay??

tomkanpa

2005-08-20, 1:21 pm

My neighbor called me over, said that the AC/Furnace and basement
lights were off but the breakers weren't tripped. So I looked, found
one labled basement lights which seemed to be tripped but very little.
I turned it off, then on and the lights came on but the furnace didn't.
I told her to turn the fan on at the thermostat. She did, the lights
went off. She wanted to call an electrician, I suggested a furnace man.
Saw her a little later and she thanked me for the suggestion. The
repair guy came, run a few tests, said that it looks like a job for an
electrician. Then he tried one more thing and determined that it was
the furnace blower motor. He replaced it and everything was working.
It's a 13 year old Carrier High-efficiency furnace. The motor and labor
was $310.
This seemed like a lot to me. I didn't say so.
What do you think, was she over charged??

Jeff Wisnia

2005-08-20, 1:21 pm

tomkanpa wrote:

> My neighbor called me over, said that the AC/Furnace and basement
> lights were off but the breakers weren't tripped. So I looked, found
> one labled basement lights which seemed to be tripped but very little.
> I turned it off, then on and the lights came on but the furnace didn't.
> I told her to turn the fan on at the thermostat. She did, the lights
> went off. She wanted to call an electrician, I suggested a furnace man.
> Saw her a little later and she thanked me for the suggestion. The
> repair guy came, run a few tests, said that it looks like a job for an
> electrician. Then he tried one more thing and determined that it was
> the furnace blower motor. He replaced it and everything was working.
> It's a 13 year old Carrier High-efficiency furnace. The motor and labor
> was $310.
> This seemed like a lot to me. I didn't say so.
> What do you think, was she over charged??
>

You didn't say where you live. That price could be very fair in
Manhattan and a bit high in McCook, Nebraska.

There's a tremendoues difference in cost of living between different
parts of the country and people in the repair business have to live too.

The repairman had the diagnostic skills to find out what was wrong and
you didn't.

Sure, you could shop around and buy a new blower motor for maybe $50 and
put it in yourself, like I did last year. But that turned out to be a
bigger PIA that I'd expected because the sods who'd originally installed
the air handler routed the refrigeration lines right over the access
panel for the blower. So, instead of being able to just slide the
motor/fan wheel out in one piece I had to disassemble it while it was
inside the air handler squeeze it out past the refrigerant lines and
then put the new one in the same way. It felt like doing dentistry by
acessing the teeth through the patient's rectum.

HTH,

Jeff

--
Jeffry Wisnia

(W1BSV + Brass Rat '57 EE)

"Truth exists; only falsehood has to be invented."

Greg O

2005-08-20, 1:21 pm

"tomkanpa" <tomkanpa@aol.com> wrote in message
news:1124551160.339567.191150@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> was $310.
> This seemed like a lot to me. I didn't say so.
> What do you think, was she over charged??
>

Maybe, maybe not.
We just replaced a furnace for a customer because the blower motor went out.
Our cost for the motor was $800!!
Greg

Dr. Hardcrab

2005-08-20, 1:21 pm

"tomkanpa" <tomkanpa@aol.com> wrote in message
news:1124551160.339567.191150@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> My neighbor called me over, said that the AC/Furnace and basement
> lights were off but the breakers weren't tripped. So I looked, found
> one labled basement lights which seemed to be tripped but very little.
> I turned it off, then on and the lights came on but the furnace didn't.
> I told her to turn the fan on at the thermostat. She did, the lights
> went off. She wanted to call an electrician, I suggested a furnace man.
> Saw her a little later and she thanked me for the suggestion. The
> repair guy came, run a few tests, said that it looks like a job for an
> electrician. Then he tried one more thing and determined that it was
> the furnace blower motor. He replaced it and everything was working.
> It's a 13 year old Carrier High-efficiency furnace. The motor and labor
> was $310.
> This seemed like a lot to me. I didn't say so.
> What do you think, was she over charged??

Depends on your are, but if it was today (Saturday) that sounds about
right.......

tomkanpa

2005-08-20, 3:21 pm

It was Friday, 8/19 in Western PA about 12 miles north of the next
Super Bowl Champs and Stanley Cup Champs!!

tomkanpa

2005-08-20, 3:21 pm

Maybe, maybe not.
We just replaced a furnace for a customer because the blower motor went
out.
Our cost for the motor was $800!!

____Reply Separator_____

Why did you have to replace the furnace? Why not just the motor?

Greg O

2005-08-20, 3:21 pm

"tomkanpa" <tomkanpa@aol.com> wrote in message
news:1124559180.398530.70550@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> Maybe, maybe not.
> We just replaced a furnace for a customer because the blower motor went
> out.
> Our cost for the motor was $800!!
>
> ____Reply Separator_____
>
> Why did you have to replace the furnace? Why not just the motor?
>

$800 dollar motor in a 13 year old furnace, plus the fact that he is a GOOD
friend of the owner of the company I work for = new furnace at cost!

Even so I would be reluctant to put $800 in 13 year old furnace.
Greg

Scott McDaniel

2005-08-20, 4:21 pm

Sounds fair to me, considering where you live (maybe even a little low,
depending on how difficult the job). The motor probably cost anywhere from
50 - 150 bucks ... plus the cost to get it there, an hour or so of time to
install it, plus overhead, insurance, advertising, profit, etc etc.

"tomkanpa" <tomkanpa@aol.com> wrote in message
news:1124551160.339567.191150@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> My neighbor called me over, said that the AC/Furnace and basement
> lights were off but the breakers weren't tripped. So I looked, found
> one labled basement lights which seemed to be tripped but very little.
> I turned it off, then on and the lights came on but the furnace didn't.
> I told her to turn the fan on at the thermostat. She did, the lights
> went off. She wanted to call an electrician, I suggested a furnace man.
> Saw her a little later and she thanked me for the suggestion. The
> repair guy came, run a few tests, said that it looks like a job for an
> electrician. Then he tried one more thing and determined that it was
> the furnace blower motor. He replaced it and everything was working.
> It's a 13 year old Carrier High-efficiency furnace. The motor and labor
> was $310.
> This seemed like a lot to me. I didn't say so.
> What do you think, was she over charged??
>

Anthony Berlin

2005-08-20, 4:21 pm

About 1 Franklin less expensive than our company does universal blower
change-outs for and 2 Franklins cheaper than OEM c/o's.

"tomkanpa" <tomkanpa@aol.com> wrote in message
news:1124551160.339567.191150@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> My neighbor called me over, said that the AC/Furnace and basement
> lights were off but the breakers weren't tripped. So I looked, found
> one labled basement lights which seemed to be tripped but very little.
> I turned it off, then on and the lights came on but the furnace didn't.
> I told her to turn the fan on at the thermostat. She did, the lights
> went off. She wanted to call an electrician, I suggested a furnace man.
> Saw her a little later and she thanked me for the suggestion. The
> repair guy came, run a few tests, said that it looks like a job for an
> electrician. Then he tried one more thing and determined that it was
> the furnace blower motor. He replaced it and everything was working.
> It's a 13 year old Carrier High-efficiency furnace. The motor and labor
> was $310.
> This seemed like a lot to me. I didn't say so.
> What do you think, was she over charged??
>

tomkanpa

2005-08-20, 5:21 pm

Anthony, what section of the country would you be in.

Carolina Breeze HVAC

2005-08-20, 5:21 pm

"tomkanpa" <tomkanpa@aol.com> wrote in message
news:1124551160.339567.191150@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> My neighbor called me over, said that the AC/Furnace and basement
> lights were off but the breakers weren't tripped. So I looked, found
> one labled basement lights which seemed to be tripped but very little.
> I turned it off, then on and the lights came on but the furnace didn't.
> I told her to turn the fan on at the thermostat. She did, the lights
> went off. She wanted to call an electrician, I suggested a furnace man.
> Saw her a little later and she thanked me for the suggestion. The
> repair guy came, run a few tests, said that it looks like a job for an
> electrician. Then he tried one more thing and determined that it was
> the furnace blower motor. He replaced it and everything was working.
> It's a 13 year old Carrier High-efficiency furnace. The motor and labor
> was $310.
> This seemed like a lot to me. I didn't say so.
> What do you think, was she over charged??
>

Well, since there is no telling what brand motor he put in, what their labor
rates are, if they are T+M or Flat Rate..
Personally, its high...but hey, shes got air now right?

Anthony Berlin

2005-08-20, 5:21 pm

Indiana, and even though the section of the country may be a determining
factor to a degree, our clients pay us what they pay us because they can
rely on our diagnostics, the service we provide is right...the first time,
we have relatively no call backs in comparison to volume and they can call
us at ANY time of the day or night and we are there, we don't have to order
the part, we don't have to come back tomorrow we aren't there to sell them
something they don't need and they know all these things. Sort of like a
reverse security. We have been in business for 50+ years, we are nationally
franchised and we are by no means the cheapest way out....we are however one
of the best ways. Quality and reliability cost money, like it or not. It's
just the way it is.

"tomkanpa" <tomkanpa@aol.com> wrote in message
news:1124566271.173043.256760@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> Anthony, what section of the country would you be in.
>

George E. Cawthon

2005-08-20, 7:21 pm

Greg O wrote:
> "tomkanpa" <tomkanpa@aol.com> wrote in message
> news:1124551160.339567.191150@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>
>
>
> Maybe, maybe not.
> We just replaced a furnace for a customer because the blower motor went out.
> Our cost for the motor was $800!!
> Greg
>
>
Obviously not an average house.

Anthony Berlin

2005-08-20, 8:21 pm

Really george? You know anything about variable speed/frequency drives? Have
a clue about what they cost? Didn't think so.....and yes they are in average
homes we even have them in apt.buildings. It's ok to offer your opinion
george just try not to imply that it is fact or for that matter that you
have a clue about what you are attempting to discuss.......fair?

"George E. Cawthon" <GeorgeC-Boise@worldnet.att.net> wrote in message
news:RRNNe.642931$cg1.195164@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...
> Greg O wrote:
out.[color=darkred]
> Obviously not an average house.

josh

2005-08-20, 9:21 pm

"tomkanpa" wrote in message
> My neighbor called me over, said that the AC/Furnace and basement
> lights were off but the breakers weren't tripped. So I looked, found
> one labled basement lights which seemed to be tripped but very little.
> I turned it off, then on and the lights came on but the furnace didn't.
> I told her to turn the fan on at the thermostat. She did, the lights
> went off. She wanted to call an electrician, I suggested a furnace man.
> Saw her a little later and she thanked me for the suggestion. The
> repair guy came, run a few tests, said that it looks like a job for an
> electrician. Then he tried one more thing and determined that it was
> the furnace blower motor. He replaced it and everything was working.
> It's a 13 year old Carrier High-efficiency furnace. The motor and labor
> was $310.
> This seemed like a lot to me. I didn't say so.
> What do you think, was she over charged??

For my area, diagnostics probably would have ran at least $100. I think I
would've been happy to pay $310 for the total.

Greg O

2005-08-20, 9:21 pm

"George E. Cawthon" <GeorgeC-Boise@worldnet.att.net> wrote in message
news:RRNNe.642931$cg1.195164@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...
> Greg O wrote:
> Obviously not an average house.

I donno abut the house not being average, probably 3000 square feet, but the
furnace was a 100,000 BTU Trane.
Greg

Dr. Hardcrab

2005-08-20, 9:21 pm

"Anthony Berlin" <tberlin@bluemarble.net> wrote in message
news:4307b5e6$0$22209$39cecf19@news.twtelecom.net...
> Really george? You know anything about variable speed/frequency drives?
> Have
> a clue about what they cost? Didn't think so.....and yes they are in
> average
> homes we even have them in apt.buildings. It's ok to offer your opinion
> george just try not to imply that it is fact or for that matter that you
> have a clue about what you are attempting to discuss.......fair?

Haven't followed the thread too well, but did the original poster say it was
a variable speed motor?

If so, I see why the cost was so high!

Those damn things aren't cheap. Even the module itself costs more than most
motors do......

>
>
>
>
> "George E. Cawthon" <GeorgeC-Boise@worldnet.att.net> wrote in message
> news:RRNNe.642931$cg1.195164@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...
> out.
>
>

Anthony Berlin

2005-08-20, 11:21 pm

Now.....Josh!!! You stop talking like that, you know that's not the answer
he's waiting for us to give him.....damn it!!!
"josh" <invalid@none.net> wrote in message
news:_8PNe.118597$5N3.2421@bgtnsc05-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...
>
> "tomkanpa" wrote in message
>
>
> For my area, diagnostics probably would have ran at least $100. I think I
> would've been happy to pay $310 for the total.
>

George E. Cawthon

2005-08-21, 1:21 am

Anthony Berlin wrote:
> Really george? You know anything about variable speed/frequency drives? Have
> a clue about what they cost? Didn't think so.....and yes they are in average
> homes we even have them in apt.buildings. It's ok to offer your opinion
> george just try not to imply that it is fact or for that matter that you
> have a clue about what you are attempting to discuss.......fair?
>
>
>
>
> "George E. Cawthon" <GeorgeC-Boise@worldnet.att.net> wrote in message
> news:RRNNe.642931$cg1.195164@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...
>
>
> out.
>
>
>
>
I assumed you were talking about an industrial
sized area, office building.

But you are right, I don't know anything about
$800 fan motors. In fact I don't know anything
about $800 motors. I would expect at least a 5
horse for that amount of money.

An $800 fan motor is crazy in an average house of
1500-2500 square feet. And, any home owner that
bought one must be a real push over, or have more
money than they know what to do with. What does
the furnace and A/c total for installation,
$6000? Did they put a $2000 front door on it.
How about, $50 outlets and $60 light switches?

There is nothing normal or average about an $800
motor for anything in a single family residence!
Somebody is probably just pushing expensive stuff
that will probably operates as well as Denver
Airport baggage system.

George E. Cawthon

2005-08-21, 2:21 am

Dr. Hardcrab wrote:
> "Anthony Berlin" <tberlin@bluemarble.net> wrote in message
> news:4307b5e6$0$22209$39cecf19@news.twtelecom.net...
>
>
>
> Haven't followed the thread too well, but did the original poster say it was
> a variable speed motor?
>
> If so, I see why the cost was so high!
>
> Those damn things aren't cheap. Even the module itself costs more than most
> motors do......
>

Probably in the same category as high efficiency
gas water heaters. Sounds like a good idea, but
is expensive, way more maintenance, noisy, and
saves very little in gas. The damned inductor fan
on my furnace costs more than an electric water
heater, so maybe the inductor on a high efficiency
gas water heater increase the cost by 100 percent?
Now if they could get a thermostat on a gas
water heater to hold the temperature within 2-3
degrees, that might be worth $50 or so.

>
>
>

Carolina Breeze HVAC

2005-08-21, 4:21 am

"George E. Cawthon" <GeorgeC-Boise@worldnet.att.net> wrote in message
news:g4TNe.119185$5N3.101803@bgtnsc05-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...
> Anthony Berlin wrote:
> I assumed you were talking about an industrial sized area, office
> building.
>
> But you are right, I don't know anything about $800 fan motors. In fact I
> don't know anything about $800 motors. I would expect at least a 5 horse
> for that amount of money.
>
> An $800 fan motor is crazy in an average house of 1500-2500 square feet.
> And, any home owner that bought one must be a real push over, or have more
> money than they know what to do with. What does the furnace and A/c total
> for installation, $6000? Did they put a $2000 front door on it. How
> about, $50 outlets and $60 light switches?
>
> There is nothing normal or average about an $800 motor for anything in a
> single family residence!
> Somebody is probably just pushing expensive stuff that will probably
> operates as well as Denver Airport baggage system.

Sure there is.....they come in $1000 air handlers.....really.
Some, the motor costs more wholesale, than the cost of the airhandler
itself.

And to be fair, after using the DIAs baggage system a couple of times, trust
me...the motors work much better than that.

Tekkie®

2005-08-29, 9:21 pm

tomkanpa posted for all of us...
I don't top post - see either inline or at bottom.

> It was Friday, 8/19 in Western PA about 12 miles north of the next
> Super Bowl Champs and Stanley Cup Champs!!
>
>
I thought Philly was on the Eastern end...
--

Tekkie

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