Decision on a heater

[mrramsey]

Ok I have two bids for garage heaters.

1:Modine Hot Dawg sealed combustion side vent. $2800
2: Lennox 45k sealed, side vent, Costco 'deal' $3500 - 10% Costco cash blah blah.

The only real difference on paper is the warranty. Modine is 10-1-1 and Lennox is 10-5-1. Is the Lennox worth some $300 more??

 

[mrramsey]

May have answered my own question now that I look at it. The only real kickback from costco is the 2% ($70) annual cash back. The 10% cash card is really no discount either since it is only valid at costco to begin with.
So for the additional $700 I get 5 years on parts.... I could buy an entire unit for that. I am going with the Modine HotDawg 45.

 

[Showkey]

My 15 year old Lennox was made by someone else and relabeled. ( don’t remember the manufacturer) When went to by parts it became obvious that some of the heaters use all the same or very similar parts. The control board fried and that board fit dozens of heaters and furnaces.

 

[Rc_Guy]

Wow, I’m glad I was able to put mine in my last shop, I didn’t realize it was that expensive to have it installed.

 

[mrramsey]

Wow, I’m glad I was able to put mine in my last shop, I didn’t realize it was that expensive to have it installed.

Well this also included running a gas line. The sealed combustion and concentric vent also add additional costs. As easy as gas is to work with I suppose I could install it but I just don't like messing with that stuff. I will put mu hands into a hot electric panel all day long LOL. When there are flames involved I err on the side of caution.

 

[bobbyjean]

you can do it-... then you have more bucks for the mancave
you could always buy it,and hang it yourself...then get price for gas/flue...may be a savings that way

 

[Rc_Guy]

Well this also included running a gas line. The sealed combustion and concentric vent also add additional costs. As easy as gas is to work with I suppose I could install it but I just don't like messing with that stuff. I will put mu hands into a hot electric panel all day long LOL. When there are flames involved I err on the side of caution.

I just hate to pay for something I could do. Our last house we had a 30'X40' heated shop, my wife and I hand dug the 100' trench and buried gas line and I hung the furnace and piped the vent.

 

[Global Express]

Thats expensive. I just hung a 75K Hot Dawg last month in my shop....ran gas line and vent /wall thimble kit. Total cost was $1400

 

[mrramsey]

Can do and Want to do are different LOL. Essentially paying someone $1200ish is small. I am saving a much larger amount on the custom cabinetry that I just received a $13,900 quote on. They will cost me about $2k to build.

 

[D45]

Thats expensive. I just hung a 75K Hot Dawg last month in my shop....ran gas line and vent /wall thimble kit. Total cost was $1400

Mine was under $1,200.......

75K Heater: $575.00
B Vent Kit: $63.75
New B-Vent Elbow: $23.80
Thermostat: $20.05
Tstat Wire: $8.00
Black Roof Caulk: $6.00
Clear Silicon: $10.00 (2 tubes, one for each install)
Wiring & Flexible Conduit: $15.00
Plug: $12.00 (1 for each heater)
Black Pipe/Flex Line/Fittings/Dope/Valves/Hangers: $405

Total: $1,130.60

Then, take off the $450 that I sold my old HD 45K for, and the new grand total for the install will be:

$680.60

 

[bobbyjean]

mrramsey- you must be a great carpenter to tackle that job....i had kitchen cabinets done last year...was really wild to watch these guys do there stuff...dado's and backcut's...
i called them the woodbender's.
i would barter with you if i was in your area...they 2800 quote seems abit high but i dont know how tough the gas line would be-is the contractor going to run black iron pipe or the flexable stuff?

 

[mrramsey]

mrramsey- you must be a great carpenter to tackle that job....i had kitchen cabinets done last year...was really wild to watch these guys do there stuff...dado's and backcut's...
i called them the woodbender's.
i would barter with you if i was in your area...they 2800 quote seems abit high but i dont know how tough the gas line would be-is the contractor going to run black iron pipe or the flexable stuff?

Yep 20+ years as a journeyman finish carpenter. I believe code in my area is black iron if it will be exposed. HVAC and Gas are the two things i just shy away from due to my lack of experience. I just spent the day yesterday installing my sub panel and today I am running the branch circuit to the heater.

 

[jjscott]

Well this also included running a gas line. The sealed combustion and concentric vent also add additional costs. As easy as gas is to work with I suppose I could install it but I just don't like messing with that stuff. I will put mu hands into a hot electric panel all day long LOL. When there are flames involved I err on the side of caution.

MrRamsey: I also live in North East Ohio and I'm getting ready to put a 60k gas heater in my garage. I'm looking at a Reznor and see they require a UL 1738 certified vent pipe. I "believe" code here is to have a double wall pipe when routing through the ceiling of my garage. This would make the piping cost EXTREMELY expensive. It would be about twice the cost of the heater when adding in the thimble, storm collar, rain cap, etc. Did your contractor quote double wall UL 1738 certified pipe or standard B-Vent piping?

Thanks

 

[mrramsey]

MrRamsey: I also live in North East Ohio and I'm getting ready to put a 60k gas heater in my garage. I'm looking at a Reznor and see they require a UL 1738 certified vent pipe. I "believe" code here is to have a double wall pipe when routing through the ceiling of my garage. This would make the piping cost EXTREMELY expensive. It would be about twice the cost of the heater when adding in the thimble, storm collar, rain cap, etc. Did your contractor quote double wall UL 1738 certified pipe or standard B-Vent piping?

Thanks

Yeah they have the correct venting. Mine is going through the side wall and required special pipe. This just highlights the reason I chose a reputable contractor for the HVAC portion of my renovation. Do I pay more, yep, but I do get some piece of mind.

 

[jjscott]

Thanks. I just sent you a PM for some additional info.

 

[yeldogt]

Yeah they have the correct venting. Mine is going through the side wall and required special pipe. This just highlights the reason I chose a reputable contractor for the HVAC portion of my renovation. Do I pay more, yep, but I do get some piece of mind.

For some jobs -- it's just easier to pay. Being handy and liking to work around the house can be stressful -- too may projects. Some jobs require two people -- and doing this for the first time can take forever.

I have done my share of black pipe installs -- but I'm slow and you need a bunch of pipe lengths or a threader ... something always needs an extra inch.