Gas and Oil Home Heating Furnaces - forced air heating & air cond
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01-21-01, 08:31 PM
When I purchased this home 30 yrs ago, there was no gas. Ran a line in and had Sears put in the forced heating unit. They told me what I needed. House is 1300 sq ft. Just had unit repaired. Pilot would not stay on. T Coupler was replaced. But furnace repair told me heater was oversized for this house, that it was meant for 3000 sqft home. Also told me that because of that heater has been (ongoing all these yrs) running hot. Something like...causes it to recycle more and
could shorten the life. Well, not worried after 25 yrs on that, BUT...the overheating does scare me. Is this dangerous and am I looking at a potential fire?
Also, with the severe energy problem we are having in Calif, PG&E says close vents in rooms not used. Heater repair say NO you can't do that. PLEASE...which way is right.
Thanks for any help.
Barb
could shorten the life. Well, not worried after 25 yrs on that, BUT...the overheating does scare me. Is this dangerous and am I looking at a potential fire?
Also, with the severe energy problem we are having in Calif, PG&E says close vents in rooms not used. Heater repair say NO you can't do that. PLEASE...which way is right.
Thanks for any help.
Barb
R-12guy
01-21-01, 09:03 PM
Barb, an over sized furnace is not good, but is not bad either.... it was common practice in the "Good old Days". Any thing that over heats can be a fire hazzard.. I feel that any system should never have its Vents closed... any restriction of air flow can also over heat and cause higher static pressures... Besides, how do they figure you closeing off registers is going to save on Fuel..... you'll just create more heating load on walls inside home...
01-22-01, 09:17 PM
Hey Barb,
Sounds like somebody wants to sell you a new furnace. I'd say for an overheating appliance it has lasted pretty well (I would have had to tell the repairman that). I agree with the R12Guy, don't close off any vents, it doesn't make any sense. You know, I wonder how long your furnace would have lasted if it wasn't overheating, it would have probably outlived us both ;-)
Sounds like somebody wants to sell you a new furnace. I'd say for an overheating appliance it has lasted pretty well (I would have had to tell the repairman that). I agree with the R12Guy, don't close off any vents, it doesn't make any sense. You know, I wonder how long your furnace would have lasted if it wasn't overheating, it would have probably outlived us both ;-)
01-23-01, 07:41 PM
Thanks for input. You both are right. I think I had it put in here in 1973. So maybe if I'm lucky it will outlast me. The fire threat really scared me, only because I reacted without thinking. Yes, he did mention a new furnace. I have opened the vents. They know how to get ya when your alone. Thanks for all the help. This was a great help.
Barb
Barb