I just bought a new home, the realtor said as long as the furnace is working don't worry about it. But 1965 is pretty darn old. How do I know if its time to replace it? Also, I always seem to notice a very faint gas smell just around the furnace itself - the gas company just serviced the furnace so i imagine its okay but it has be a bit worried as the furnace is near my kid's bedrooms. thoughts?
2006-11-08 16:55:37 · 8 answers · asked by Fizzlewig 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Ok 1st thing, if you think you have a gas leak, call whoever your gas co is, as a public utility they are obligated to come out. If it is unsafe they will red-tag it, and shut it off. Recall the PSA commercials, we've all seen them. 2nd item, you said the furnace was looked at by the gas co.? In that case, they would not have certified an unsafe unit, it's too obvious if it's unsafe (see carbon-monoxide poisoning). If something is found that should have been disclosed, you will have recourse, definitely contact your agent if necessary. Now the other side of the equation, it's an old unit and probably doesn't have electronic ignition, so it has a pilot. This can cause a slight gas odor because it doesn't burn 100%. Where is your water heater in relation to the furnace? Close I'd imagine. The water heater will also leave some unburned gas when it starts up. There really is no reason that the furnace shouldn't work, they built them pretty well back then, and heat exchangers generally come with a 30 year warranty. If efficiency is a large issue, there are numerous less expensive ways to help your home out (seal, caulk, weatherstrip etc.). The bottom line if the furnace is safe.... Can you afford a new one? If so, then it's probably not a bad idea, especially because you just moved there. Nice not to have to worry.
Final note: If you really think you have a gas leak, then open windows (natural gas is combustible between 7-14% gas to oxygen), and call the gas co. tonight. They are there 24/7.
Good luck!
2006-11-08 18:30:51 · answer #1 · answered by theminnguy 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
check the gas shutoff valve.the seals tend to fail after 30 or 40 years. if the valve is hard to get to, use a piece of garden hose to sniff around it. if you smell gas, replace the valve.
a 41 year old heating system is going to be very inefficient, the ductwork very dirty, and, potentially very dangerous. if the ductwork looks like foil covered cardboard it's probably contains asbestos.
an old furnace like that is probably only about 50 or 60 % efficient, which means 40 or 50 cents of every heating dollar goes up the flue. new furnaces are 94 to 98. do the math.
your realtor is a jerk.
good luck!
2006-11-09 01:25:28 · answer #2 · answered by spooky 1 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Mine dates to 1929 and worked fine, until this year. I had the repairman come in every year and check it over, replace parts but, these new furnaces are much more energy efficient so, withstanding the age, the efficiency of a new one, and I didn't want to change one out in the middle of winter, at one in the morning, I replaced it. It was a good thing, the old one had interior problems that could have created future trouble that could have been serious.
2006-11-09 07:00:00 · answer #3 · answered by cowboydoc 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
CALL GAS CO AND TELL THEM YOU SMELL GAS. THEY WILL BE THERE AS QUICKLY AS THEY CAN, BUT SOON. THEY FIND A LEAK-THEY WILL SHUT IT DOWN AND WANT YOU TO GET IT REPAIRED SO THEY CAN TURN IT BACK ON. IF NO LEAK IS FOUND GREAT-YOU WILL HAVE BEEN CHECKED OUT AND SAFE. IT WOULD BE UNUSUAL FOR THE HEAT EXCHANGER TO BE ANY GOOD BUT IF IT DOES CHECK OK-IT'S OK. IF NOT THE REALTOR IS RESPONSIBLE IF HE HAD IT INSPECTED. YOU BOUGHT A HOUSE THAT IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE A GOOD FURNACE. DON'T DELAY MAKING CERTAIN.
2006-11-09 01:17:23 · answer #4 · answered by hghjsln 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have it inspected immediately & keep in mind that the new type furnaces are far more energy efficient. You'll be saving money as well as protecting your family..... Any local heating contractor can inspect the existing fire hazzard & advise you on the size furnace you need. In the mean time invest in a carbon monoxide detector!
2006-11-09 01:05:52 · answer #5 · answered by Diablo 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Have someone from the gas company that serves you, come & check it out. I sure wouldn't take a realtor's advise about that!
2006-11-09 01:03:01 · answer #6 · answered by Da Bomb 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
they can check it out and tell you if it needs to be replaced right away. and also check for gas leak. mine was older than yours and was still going but i replaced it after i got 3 estimates and went with middle one. do your homework and be prepared to fork out on a good one. it is worth it.
2006-11-09 04:06:51 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
sell it to antique buyers
2006-11-09 00:59:13 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋