Alburnett council authorizes up to $5,200 to replace cracked furnace heat exchanger at city hall

The Alburnett City Council on Oct. 29 authorized replacement of a furnace in the north bay of the city hall building after public works staff reported the unit’s heat exchanger was cracked and the furnace recently failed to fire during basic maintenance.

Public works employee Mac told the council he discovered the cracked heat exchanger while changing filters and that the existing furnace is about 35 years old. Mac said the council received two quotes from the same company, Global Heating, Air Conditioning and Plumbing of Todville.

Council discussed two options: replacing the unit with a traditional furnace or installing a ceiling-mounted garage-style unit (referred to in the packet as a “reser” unit). The traditional furnace is more efficient, Mac said, but the ceiling-mounted unit is less intrusive to floor space, better suited to a dusty maintenance bay and easier to keep out of the way of stored equipment.

The council read and approved Resolution 2024-40, which finds the heat exchanger is cracked, authorizes the replacement with a ceiling-mounted unit and authorizes public works to proceed with the work and expenditures not to exceed $5,200.

Councilor Trum moved to approve the resolution, Councilor Bosenberg seconded, and the motion carried. No dissenting votes were recorded.

Mac said the quotes include necessary modifications such as moving the gas connection and installing new vents, and that the ceiling-mounted option may have lower future replacement costs for the unit itself. Council members said they wanted the work completed before temperatures drop further and that staff should pursue the lowest responsible bid.

Next steps: public works will proceed with procurement and installation within the authorized $5,200 cap.