Call another furnace guy in the meantime. Also, it would probably be wise to replace it (if second guy agrees with that assessment.)

Exactly what fbk said.

First youngergirl's couch, now this. What's next to get doused?

A new $1700 furnace at $200/year savings will pay for itself in 5.5 years when compared to the $600 repair.
(1700 - 600)/5.5 = 200.

I think of furnaces as having about a 30 year life span.

However, you don't say whether installation will cost more or not. If installation costs more than about $800 (4 years of furnace savings), then it's probably better to fix then old one and drive it into the ground.

I think of furnaces as having about a 30 year life span.

Sigh. I just bought a house with a 60 year old furnace (boiler really) and we're really hoping that it will last a few more years. For the size of the house, it's going to cost a lot more then $1700 to replace.

I'll third what FBK said, get a second opinion. And find out about the full cost, $1700 seems very low.

Thanks all. $1700 was the "I know this guy" price. Ugh. I should have prefaced this with "this is a whining thread." We will definitely get a second opinion.

I'd get the new furnace. Not only are energy prices going to continue spiralling upward but you'll be covered by a new warranty.

Heh. I replaced my furnace 5 years ago. The house is 20 years old. Cheap contractor crap.

(Altough I have to point out this is really an AC system that has a heater coil added for winter heat.... so.... not really a furnace I guess?)

We are now leaning toward doing the repairs, just because we don't have two grand sitting around and don't want to add to our credit card debt. We will put some time and money into improving our basement insulation, which should help conserve a little and save us some money in the long run. We may put a gas insert in our wood stove at some point too, to keep the basement a little warmer. Adulthood is so boring.