just need advice on where to go
hlechat
| Posted in Energy, Heating & Insulation on
Turned on the furnace, and the darned thing isn’t working. (Wouldn’t you know it!)
I know this forum isn’t the place to talk about fixin’ that blasted thing, but I was wondering if you had any favorite sites that might have some info or a message board/forum I could turn to for some advice.
Thanks, as always!
Doug
Northeast Indiana
Replies
First I posted this in another fourm to a similar problem;
It might be a blow out pilot light. It might be a pilot that is out because of a bad thermocouple. It might be a bad hot surface ignitor. It might be a bad flame senser. It might be a clogged air intake or exhaust. It might be a bad draft inducer. It might have safetyed out on a flame roll out.
If the furance manual is not with the furance or he can't download one to get some basic knowledge then the best thing is to get a service tech out and BE THERE when he is and to learn the basics of the unit.
Many of the new ones have safety reset switches and diagnositc lights that a HO should know what they mean.
Even if you don't want to touch the furnace even to the change the filter a call for service say "I have an ABC furnace, model 1234 and the light is flashing 6 indicating that the inducer fan is not working" will likely get faster and cheaper service than some one that say I have a furnace and it does not run.
And here are two HVAC forums.
http://hvacmechanic.com/
http://www.hvac-talk.com/
Wow, can't hardly add anything to the great advise Bill gave you. Only thing is that I log into HVAC-talk occasionally and a lot of those guys will tell you to hire a pro right off 'cause it is all so complex, so really take Bill's watch and learn to heart.
PS: If you go to HVAC-talk, tell'em something like your dad was in HVAC but you've been in Iraq, the peace corp, etc, for awhile and they should cut you some slack (don't tell'em youve been in law school).
Ya, LIE about it. that should do it
Also,
http://www.heatinghelp.com
Though they do tend towards being hydronics snobs...
It wouldn't hurt to post here some more info:
Natural gas/propane/oil/whatever?
Forced air/gravity/hot water?
Standing pilot or electronic ignition?
Standard or high-efficiency?
Age of unit?
Symptoms -- no clicks at all when the thermostat is turned up? Furnace starts but then shuts down?
Post that info and I'm sure someone will be able to tell you where to go!
Edited 10/7/2004 1:17 pm ET by DanH
If it has a diagnostic light on the cover, turn off power, pop the cover, and there will likely be a sheet which tells you what the blinks mean. Also, the installation manual should be close by.
If gas, go outside and make sure some prankster hasn't turned it off.
pay the gas bill