Why is Furnace Maintenance Important? | Ask This Old House

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 พ.ย. 2024

ความคิดเห็น • 107

  • @Nick23at63
    @Nick23at63 ปีที่แล้ว +59

    In all my years having my furnace cleaned and serviced, I had never seen them checking combustion levels and such. They cleaned the areas with a vacuum and brush and lit the pilot light and that was it, which is why I stopped calling them and started doing it myself. Now, I don't have the tools to check those other levels, so I'll have to get someone to do that. But obviously, I'll have to ask for that specifically, because none of the companies hired ever did it on their own.

    • @thebluelunarmonkey
      @thebluelunarmonkey ปีที่แล้ว +3

      A lot can be done without test equipment. For instance, a cracked heat exchanger can be found by looking at the flames while the blower fan turns on. A cracked heat exchanger will blow exhaust air thru the cracks and the flames will get wavy like a wind blowing past them. An experienced tech will know by the color and shape of the flames, along with checking for soot between the burners and the exchanger opening the gas/air mix is within spec. The combustion analyzer can help dial in the gas for a couple percent more efficiency. But to your point, you don't know in the first place if your tech is a genius at reading the indicators of a potential issue.

    • @westbccoast
      @westbccoast ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Same here I had a guy show up, I have a fairly new furnace, he tested a few things like temp in duct work, spent all of 10 minutes (no kidding), cleaned a small rod. I felt he didn't do a good job or knew it was a new furnace so the service wasn't really needed. It's natural gas, and charged for $200 for basically looking at the unit, I was not impressed. So probably more needed for an older furnace. Waste of money in my case. I change the filters myself.

    • @rzh3443
      @rzh3443 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Same here. They don’t even own a manometer to set gas pressures or check static pressure. I stopped doing the contracts because I can clean the flame sensor and change the filters myself. I did install hi end CO detectors on all three floors. Too much filtration can create too much static pressure for the newer blower motors that have electronic controls?

    • @westbccoast
      @westbccoast ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@rzh3443 I think that's a good strategy and would agree. What's the point of a fake service. I watched him so I can see what to do next time. If he did a real service, I have no issues hiring a pro but this guy did basically nothing for $200. He did reverse my filter around I had it the wrong way, so there was that, other than that, waste of time. Also depends on the tech I guess, this guy was a little off, maybe not skilled or properly trained. Might be worth hiring a pro in 3 years with a different company to see if my experience is any different. I am just going to use regular filters and change them out often, every 3 months or so, they really inexpensive.

    • @rzh3443
      @rzh3443 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@westbccoast What happens is that they can check some parts, but leave and X time later it fails. I have dealt with three local companies- all the same. I think they do the "tune up" to see if they can gat some parts to replace ( 300 percent plus mark up). I wound up buying OEM parts on line for the most vulnerable parts ( flame sensor, inducer pressure switches and igniter) to have on hand. Ditto for AC ( contractor and start/run capacitor). As an example they quoted me $350 to come replace an inducer pressure switch. The OEM part on-line was $15 ( need only a nut driver to replace it). If you haven';t already watch the Word of Advice series on YT- He goes through the main processes and repair details.

  • @deNNyTheWiseMAN1
    @deNNyTheWiseMAN1 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Always have the tech show you the problem. Earlier today during a tune up, they told me my heat exchanger had a crack in it. They were professional enough to show me the crack.

  • @johnsee7269
    @johnsee7269 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Richard, Tommy and the others have a level of knowledge and expertise that is extraordinary! We're fortunate to have their explanations and demonstrations to help us better understand plumbing, carpentry, electrical, etc.

  • @TheGreatEscape77
    @TheGreatEscape77 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    So thankful for this old house as a new home owner this is alot better then paying $200 just so someone can show up

  • @snailspace3938
    @snailspace3938 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Phew wish i knew this months ago. Just bought the house & wanted the 7 yo furnace checked. Called a furnace company & their guy never went through the furnace like this. He kept saying that it was a fairly new furnace it was running fine. Hmm Thx for your great shows, videos & passing on the info.

    • @missingbitz9831
      @missingbitz9831 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Sounds like something you'd see on Inside Edition, where they catch repair people doing nothing but then charging a lot for it.

  • @toledomemes
    @toledomemes ปีที่แล้ว +19

    Story time! My Mom had a problem where she could NOT keep plants alive inside her home. She, unrelated to the plants called an HVAC guy who after doing some testing on her mid-70s furnace discovered that it was POURING CO into the house. After getting the furnace replaced she has had zero green thumb issues indoors! My man saved my Mom's life ❤❤

    • @landonlandon5533
      @landonlandon5533 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      She should have a duel co/smoke alarm.

    • @rodgraff1782
      @rodgraff1782 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      I think “pouring CO into the house “ is an overstatement. If that was true, she would have gotten very sick or died.

    • @patty109109
      @patty109109 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@rodgraff1782yeah this story sounds, um, exaggerated let’s say.

    • @mountainofdew1196
      @mountainofdew1196 หลายเดือนก่อน

      If only they made CO detectors

  • @Mr-Chris
    @Mr-Chris ปีที่แล้ว +13

    I like how Kevin acts like he hasn't heard all of this before. Kevin knows all of this as Richard has explained this to him multiple times. But he always pretends like he is learning all of this for the first time.

    • @MrRjnr
      @MrRjnr 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      😆

  • @MontysHall
    @MontysHall 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Amen…..same applies to literally every piece of equipment in a standard home.

  • @GeniManningRealEstate
    @GeniManningRealEstate ปีที่แล้ว

    Thank you for the video! Sharing with my real estate clients.

  • @krisdphillips
    @krisdphillips ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Important to note that this only applies to gas fired furnaces. Mini splits, heat pumps, and electric heat does not have this problem as long as you use the right filters, change your filters often, and clean your units regularly. There is no CO or NOx gas in a furnace that doesn't burn propane or natural gas.

    • @BobbieJeanM
      @BobbieJeanM ปีที่แล้ว

      Is that also true for oil furnaces which is what I have?

    • @davidm7971
      @davidm7971 ปีที่แล้ว

      @BobbieJeanM No, Oil Furnaces should be serviced annually as well. The jets (sprays the oil into the burner, causing it to for tiny droplets that burn easier), filters, etc all need to be cleaned/replaced.

    • @zack9912000
      @zack9912000 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      You still have to have the delicate inverter boards checked and inspected. They are very expensive to repair if the high voltage board goes and damage the other control boards and variable speed motors

    • @karlhungus545
      @karlhungus545 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Yes, better off going all-electric and then you can avoid plumbers altogether. Our last house had an electric furnace (cost, $700 vs $5,000 for a gas furnace), and an electric water heater ($275 vs $1,200). These prices are all CAD as I live in central Canada. The monthly bill was not much more, electric appliances last a lot longer than gas, and you can repair/replace any of it yourself for very cheap. Add some solar panels with your savings and knock your cost down even more.

    • @davidm7971
      @davidm7971 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @karlhungus545 No thank you! Electricity is ridiculous expensive here. I plan to go to a Tankless system eventually for Heat and Hot Water. Will save a ton on Gas and such, but also requires annual maintenance.

  • @SpookyTooth1974
    @SpookyTooth1974 ปีที่แล้ว

    beginning of winter would be a better time to share this advise

  • @rovert94
    @rovert94 ปีที่แล้ว

    It would be really cool to see maintenance and checks that should be performed for heat pumps as well.

  • @rickdunn3883
    @rickdunn3883 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    This Old House: please do a video on Gutter Guards...which ones work, if any. Cost effectiveness etc.

    • @ambassadorforjesuschrist5933
      @ambassadorforjesuschrist5933 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Being in home repairs, I deeply believe that most if not all solid top gutter guards with the little lip is very near worthless.
      I would recommend just the old fashioned open steel screen type.
      Both Home Depot and Lowe's carry these. They also carry the new snap in one's without the hinges. I have used both with successfully. However, there seems to be pros and cons to just about anything including these. For example, the steel old fashioned type eventually rust (takes years) , they are not the best around pine trees due to pine needles landing in the holes, leaves can still get in on the ends, and in some applications don't look the best.
      The newer style guards over lap pushing into a slot (you may have to do slight modifications including bending down the very ends - or custom cut a piece and then shape for the very ends. Moreover, sometimes the power coat can break down and rust in time.
      Other folks I'm sure have their opinions and experiences as well., but these are mine.
      Plus going this route doesn't break your bank account.
      Hope this helps.
      RB in Mid Georgia

    • @rzh3443
      @rzh3443 ปีที่แล้ว

      I wound up buying leaf filter. It isn't cheap and purchasing it is like buying a new car. SO far, through several rain storms, it works, but their warranty has a lot of if ,buts and ands. I think TOH did do a review of these guards at their site. Depending on your age and the levels in your home , you may or may not want to bother because they all need some maintenance at some point despite the sales hype. Agree the solid type guards are really only effective for leaves. Tree seed and pine needles would be elusive captures.

    • @MrRjnr
      @MrRjnr 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      I have been pleased with Gutter Glove since 2009

  • @e.g.7612
    @e.g.7612 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Out of curiosity, what’s a good price for an annual maintenance call for a furnace combined with an AC unit? Not asking about repairs…just the call for service and going through the checklist

    • @ambassadorforjesuschrist5933
      @ambassadorforjesuschrist5933 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I don't know. My honest guess would be a range of $125.00 to $175.00.max plus the filter.
      Probably, in part too the area of the country.

    • @zack9912000
      @zack9912000 ปีที่แล้ว

      When I did residential work before i left for commercial it depended on what needed done. Basic clean and check should take no more the 1 hour 15 mins. We were 105 for the check and any parts need with labor was extra.

    • @rzh3443
      @rzh3443 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Upstate Ny - 200-300 dollars for "tune up" both units. They do not do combustion tests or gas pressure adjustments for that. If you need parts or refrigerant that is extra big time.

    • @patty109109
      @patty109109 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@rzh3443this is why i never have or will pay for annual maintenance in my furnace.

    • @MrRjnr
      @MrRjnr 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      $69-$89 tune-ups are common in California

  • @tracle8334
    @tracle8334 ปีที่แล้ว

    Can you do a review on electric HVAC ?

  • @gmurray3616
    @gmurray3616 ปีที่แล้ว

    I have my furnace serviced once a year and my central serviced once a year and I change the filters on a regular basis -- monthly. Should this take care of the thorough inspection you showed on this video? One other question, what are your thoughts on replacing the gas furnace with electric furnace. I've heard this announcement twice.

  • @PaulHenreid
    @PaulHenreid ปีที่แล้ว

    Even I have HVAC inspections annually, if for nothing else than to geek out with the technicians.

    • @joshuaisrael2494
      @joshuaisrael2494 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Very wise. Best to have HVAC checked out for a few hundred vs costly HVAC replacement. Americans don’t seem to understand this though.

  • @TMM6900
    @TMM6900 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Does it matters if i have floor heating?

  • @joshuaisrael2494
    @joshuaisrael2494 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Great video: Its better to have someone show up once a year or once every two years for several hundred dollars vs you HVAC stop working and your out 12-15k.

  • @davidm7971
    @davidm7971 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    What about annual maintenance for a Gas Boiler furnace for Baseboard hot water heat? What maintenance needs to be done for those?!?

    • @landonlandon5533
      @landonlandon5533 ปีที่แล้ว

      They need to be cleaned. Try youtube.I hear they make videos on how to do stuff..

    • @davidm7971
      @davidm7971 ปีที่แล้ว

      @landonlandon5533 OH I know. My question was more to TOH and if they have a video or could do one for it. I just give mine a good vacuuming and such before starting it up for the season.

    • @jossuesandoval7761
      @jossuesandoval7761 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Cleaned and they need to be analyzed as well

    • @thebluelunarmonkey
      @thebluelunarmonkey ปีที่แล้ว +1

      steven lavimoniere is the youtuber to watch... he's up in MA.

    • @davidm7971
      @davidm7971 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@thebluelunarmonkey I've watched him a few times.

  • @2011blueman
    @2011blueman ปีที่แล้ว +44

    The problem is that almost all of the service companies are worthless and you're often better off NOT having them touch your furnace or air conditioner.

    • @zack9912000
      @zack9912000 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Thats bs and you know it, only a fool says this. Might as well say you never need to have a tech look at your vehicle during a repair, you will do it yourself by youtube videos.
      There are a lot good companies out there, homeowners are not wanting to do basic research for a good contractor. Doesn't take much effort to check on a companies credibility.

    • @2011blueman
      @2011blueman ปีที่แล้ว +6

      @@zack9912000 You're obviously a repair man and I touched a nerve. Why don't you tell us how to identify a good contractor instead of posting a worthless rant.

    • @karlhungus545
      @karlhungus545 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@zack9912000 Hahaha...I stopped getting plumbers to do those useless inspections on my furnace YEARS ago. This is our 6th house. I have a high efficient Heil furnace (came with the house, built 2012) here in Central Canada (-29C atm), so it gets used. The only maintenance that makes any difference is changing your filter regularly to make sure the motor doesn't run too fast, and cleaning the flame sensor every year. I can do those myself easily and save $150 per year. If contractors didn't gouge so hard, people might actually use them. I've even bought all of the parts that can fail on these (two motors and the computer board) so I don't get blackmailed by some scumbag plumber if the furnace goes in the dead of winter. My next build will be infloor heat, all electric, water heater too. Then I can fix anything myself (don't need a gas ticket), it's 1/5 the price of gas appliances, and it lasts a lot longer without needing replacement/repair.

    • @hxhdfjifzirstc894
      @hxhdfjifzirstc894 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@zack9912000 You just proved his point -- everybody knows ████ well that when you take your car to a 'random' shop, they'll do anything from overfilling your oil (causing a smoking mess when your exhaust heats up), to over-torquing your lug nuts (causes broken studs), to mixing the wrong coolant in your radiator (becomes sludge and ruins engine), all the way to INTENTIONALLY breaking something, slicing something, loosening something, draining something, shorting something, or burning something.
      It's just a fact that for regular MAINTENANCE, the average person IS better off watching a video on YT, instead of trusting a half-witted sociopath with their daily driver. Even if you have a furnace guy that you trust, paying someone else $100 an hour to change a filter is simply not prudent.

    • @hxhdfjifzirstc894
      @hxhdfjifzirstc894 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@karlhungus545 That's a great, logical approach, and in the worst case scenario, you can have a backup space heater.

  • @tommychew6544
    @tommychew6544 ปีที่แล้ว

    Had an older neighbor whose daughter had given her phone number 25 years ago in case anything was going on. Her outdoor heating unit hadn't been serviced in years and hers was causing fumes of natural gas to affect my house, she had the repairman out the next day and he told me how bad it really was. These things have to be serviced, it's not a wood stove and even with those the chimney will have to be serviced. These things escape older people's minds, especially older women who haven't had to deal with such things in their lives.

  • @azdinehajiii
    @azdinehajiii ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Pretty great

  • @mattp4079
    @mattp4079 ปีที่แล้ว

    Cracked exchanger a Lennox?

  • @toin9898
    @toin9898 ปีที่แล้ว

    I would love to see HOW to clean the A/C fins. I had an electric furnace installed and they only told me after they had sealed everything back up that the existing ac fins were dirty and that I should hire someone to peel the furnace apart to clean them.

    • @zack9912000
      @zack9912000 ปีที่แล้ว

      You uninstall the coil, recover the refrigerant. Temporarily Braze the lines closed on the coil to keep the water out and rinse the coil out with water outside. That is really the only way to do it right. Doing it in place with cans of coul cleaner doesn't work as well.

  • @jamesonstalanthasyu
    @jamesonstalanthasyu ปีที่แล้ว

    In gas furnaces, is it customary that new air goes in from the bottom of it?

    • @Nick23at63
      @Nick23at63 ปีที่แล้ว

      I think that is how most are done these days, though my old system pushes air in from the top. The AC unit is actually beneath the furnace stuff on mine.

    • @jossuesandoval7761
      @jossuesandoval7761 ปีที่แล้ว

      Yes it’ll come in from the blower motor at the bottom why having a clean filter is important

    • @thebluelunarmonkey
      @thebluelunarmonkey ปีที่แล้ว

      Your model number will indicate if it is a cross flow (horizontal mounting) or upflow or downflow. Some can be installed in multi directions after reattaching some parts to the new orientation

  • @WhittierBlvdTv
    @WhittierBlvdTv ปีที่แล้ว

    Can you provide the checklist shown in the video? Or where can i find it? Google ai? Lol

  • @boby115
    @boby115 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    As a retired first responder for a gas utility I can tell you, Richard does make a lot of good points but he is totally wrong about cracks in the heat exchanger putting carbon monoxide (CO )into the airstream; yes, cracks can contribute to products of combustion entering the airstream but not in the way you think. Once the blower comes on it puts positive pressure on the heat exchanger and if the cracks are large enough this will cause flame rollout to enter the vestibule of the furnace causing products of the combustion or CO to enter the area around the outside of the furnace and possibly get sucked in through the blower compartment. The furnace Richard was showing had something called flame rollout switches that would prevent serious flame rollouts from occurring by locking out the furnace , they’re not perfect, but in most cases they work as designed preventing hazardous conditions. Just a note and reminder this is the 21st century everyone should have a carbon monoxide detector /combustible gas detector & smoke detector (nowadays they have all three combined into one ).
    Stay safe out there , have those furnaces periodically cleaned /serviced and make sure you have those working detectors 👍.
    P.S. , note to this old house producers: videos like this should be done in the beginning of the heating season (October ) not at the end of the heating season (March almost the beginning of April). I’m assuming you’re going to talk about maintaining air conditioning systems in December? Come on guys, let’s use a little common sense.

  • @lemmykilmister873
    @lemmykilmister873 ปีที่แล้ว

    🤔

  • @milesclark2966
    @milesclark2966 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Uh Oh GAS. My cousin is building a new house in California, they were told they cannot put in any gas appliances or wood stoves.

    • @shanew7361
      @shanew7361 ปีที่แล้ว +17

      That's what socialism looks like, folks. You get what you vote for lol

    • @dladd10
      @dladd10 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      Come on over to Pennsylvania, still using coal 😅

    • @Gaspipenicklioni
      @Gaspipenicklioni ปีที่แล้ว

      Because Newsom and his buddies own stock in the electric company and other green energy crap. They are forcing the people to do business with companies they have interest in, follow the money.

    • @missingbitz9831
      @missingbitz9831 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@dladd10 Or go to Florida. That's where you'll now get a rebate to cover the tax on new gas stove purchases. All meant to 'own the libs' by Guv Ron who has taken millions from other programs to fund it. The plot twist? Over 95% of Floridians don't care about gas stoves because theirs are ELECTRIC.

    • @davidpearson3304
      @davidpearson3304 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      @@shanew7361 you have absolutely no idea what socialism is if you think that’s is socialism. 🙄

  • @iuyozx
    @iuyozx ปีที่แล้ว

    The main problem is the HVAC industry has a very shady reputation. Most homeowners are reluctant to call someone out for fear of being taken advantage of. It’s very off-putting to hear boogy man stories and easier to take the “if aint broke dont fix it” attitude.

    • @Chinook__
      @Chinook__ ปีที่แล้ว

      What industry doesn’t have a shady reputation?

  • @CatnamedMittens
    @CatnamedMittens หลายเดือนก่อน

    You can have too much filtration.

  • @pasta7065
    @pasta7065 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    E

  • @avalon449
    @avalon449 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    OMG! Gas and oil furnaces………

    • @ronaldwoofer5024
      @ronaldwoofer5024 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      nobody has $20,000 to spend on an electric system...

    • @nickcpv
      @nickcpv ปีที่แล้ว +8

      “How dare they!” -Greta

    • @shanew7361
      @shanew7361 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      ​@ronald woofer Let alone our electric grids are antiquated trash and often fail lol Plus to produce electricity is worse for the environment lol

    • @anotherdave5107
      @anotherdave5107 ปีที่แล้ว

      my reactor still has 20 yrs left then I bury the pellets at the playground at night ...

  • @brian-nz3jg
    @brian-nz3jg ปีที่แล้ว +1

    🥱