Furnaces are one of those things that are usually cheaper to repair than replace. I’ve got one that’s older than my parents - you need to trust me on this.
Rob, not sure. It might just be the pilot light. It cycles on and off a lot. Like “fwoomp” over and over again. Steeb-the-roommate tried cleaning and resettling the thing, but it hasn’t done any good.
Someone’s supposed to come out and look at it Thursday.
Gas furnaces have an ignition detector for the burner. IE: the gas valve turns on via the thermostat, and if the burner doesn’t ignite immediately, the sensor shuts off the gas so you don’t flood the place with NG.
You may have a bad sensor that’s cutting the burner improperly, or you may have a clogged gas manifold that’s not allowing things to ignite fast enough for the safety sensor.
Likely, a furnace tech will be able to repair what needs doing. Rarely, unless something catches fire (improperly), bursts, or fails in a seriously catastrophic way, does an entire furnace need to be replaced. You’re probably looking at a couple of C-notes for the parts and labor, depending on what’s gone wonky.
If memory serves, you have a boiler, not forced air. Small boiler units that can double as hot water heaters are in the 3K range and are much more efficient than the unit you have now. So if you opt to replace, it will be a benefit vs. repair cost issue.
If it’s an electric starter, I’d lay odds on a bad thermocouple. If it’s a pilot light, then something is causing it to shut down. Probably a sensor similar to the thermocouple, but in a different location or a different type of unit.
16 Responses to “So.”
uh oh
By mim on Dec 5, 2006
One million dollars?
By Malnurtured Snay on Dec 5, 2006
More than a wide-screen TV, less than a car.
Furnaces are one of those things that are usually cheaper to repair than replace. I’ve got one that’s older than my parents - you need to trust me on this.
What’s broken?
By RobAtSGH on Dec 6, 2006
NOT FUNNY, SNAY!
Rob, not sure. It might just be the pilot light. It cycles on and off a lot. Like “fwoomp” over and over again. Steeb-the-roommate tried cleaning and resettling the thing, but it hasn’t done any good.
Someone’s supposed to come out and look at it Thursday.
By Agent Nine on Dec 6, 2006
Gas furnaces have an ignition detector for the burner. IE: the gas valve turns on via the thermostat, and if the burner doesn’t ignite immediately, the sensor shuts off the gas so you don’t flood the place with NG.
You may have a bad sensor that’s cutting the burner improperly, or you may have a clogged gas manifold that’s not allowing things to ignite fast enough for the safety sensor.
Likely, a furnace tech will be able to repair what needs doing. Rarely, unless something catches fire (improperly), bursts, or fails in a seriously catastrophic way, does an entire furnace need to be replaced. You’re probably looking at a couple of C-notes for the parts and labor, depending on what’s gone wonky.
By RobAtSGH on Dec 6, 2006
If memory serves, you have a boiler, not forced air. Small boiler units that can double as hot water heaters are in the 3K range and are much more efficient than the unit you have now. So if you opt to replace, it will be a benefit vs. repair cost issue.
Is this the unit you’ve had since you moved in?
E-mail me at work if you want to discuss.
Daffyd
By daffyd on Dec 6, 2006
3K.
As in 3,000?!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
By Agent Nine on Dec 6, 2006
Sorry.
If it’s an electric starter, I’d lay odds on a bad thermocouple. If it’s a pilot light, then something is causing it to shut down. Probably a sensor similar to the thermocouple, but in a different location or a different type of unit.
Have you cleaned out the chimney recently?
Repair may not be too expensive.
By daffyd on Dec 6, 2006
.. we have a chimney?
By Agent Nine on Dec 6, 2006
The furnace exhausts somewhere. From the age of your place I’d bet on a brick chimney.
If it got blocked by debris, it could cause some problems.
By daffyd on Dec 6, 2006
One BILLION Dollars!
By Malnurtured Snay on Dec 6, 2006
…. you just want to make me cry, don’t you, Snay.
By Agent Nine on Dec 6, 2006
“3K.
As in 3,000?!”
As in fewer neato electronics, in preference to heat. Sorry.
Hopefully, the furnace guy will have encouraging news on Thursday.
By RobAtSGH on Dec 6, 2006
I don’t actually spend much on electronics. My phone was free. It actually costs less per month than my old phone because the data package is cheaper.
I don’t spend much on anything at all, really. I also don’t have credit.
By Agent Nine on Dec 7, 2006
I’ll give you credit. You make or used to make a wicked coffee cake.
By daffyd on Dec 7, 2006
*rimshot*
Thank you! He’s here all week, folks! CDs are available in the lobby. Why not buy a tee-shirt? Makes a great holiday gift!
By Agent Nine on Dec 7, 2006