7 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
7 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

MORE contractor woes!

by seasoned
6 replies
  • OFF TOPIC
    • |
I had a new heater put in. They spoke of how some moisture could corrode the standard that has been around for like 100+ years, and so they had to use PVC! I should have put 2 and 2 together, but so should THEY!

I called them today more than a little upset. THEY couldn't understand why and said this is NORMAL!!!!!! Anyway, the 97% efficient heater sent out steam that they had only inches away from the home, so it built up a huge chunk of ice like 6" x 6" x 9" on the foundation! UNREAL! From a HEATER! Ironically, it is only a few feet from the water outlet for the sump, but THAT is drained into a channel that takes it many yards away from the foundation.

Steve
  • Profile picture of the author Big Rob
    I am completely unfamiliar with any heating system other than electric.
    Is this a radiator style system?
    does the system self regulate ,relieving pressure and releasing steam outside? interesting
    Does not seem wise to use PVC pipe with steam. Why not copper or steel? Best to check with code enforcement.
    Bloody contractors...


    Posted from Warriorforum.com App for Android
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7655313].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author seasoned
      Originally Posted by Big Rob View Post

      I am completely unfamiliar with any heating system other than electric.
      Is this a radiator style system?
      does the system self regulate ,relieving pressure and releasing steam outside? interesting
      Does not seem wise to use PVC pipe with steam. Why not copper or steel? Best to check with code enforcement.
      Bloody contractors...


      Posted from Warriorforum.com App for Android
      It's a gas furnace. It is supposed to be 97% efficient. It has TWO heat exchangers. My last heater, and all that I have seen prior to this, had THREE openings:

      1. Air IN, goes into heat exchanger.
      2. Air Out, goes out of heat exchanger.
      3. Exhaust, Exhaust from open heat source.

      THIS one has 5 openings.

      1. Air IN, goes into first heat exchanger.
      2. Air out, goes out of second heat exchanger
      3. Exhaust, Exhauset from enclosed heat source which I guess is run over the second heat exchanger.
      4. Condensation. This is where the water was SUPPOSED to go.
      5. Secondary air in, for the enclosed heat source.

      The Exhaust and secondary in are both PVC. The idea is that supposedly the moisture can corrode the metal.

      Steve
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7655341].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author AprilCT
        Hmm, we have a high efficiency furnace and there is pvc pipe to the outside, I'll have to check to see how many pipe openings--right now I am guessing three. Anyway, when it was put in, there was a hook-up installed on the lower side of the furnace to pump moisture to an inside drain.

        I'll look outside in the morning to see if there is any moisture build up or ice and if there is, I'll post again to let you know. For the price, it better not be, so thanks for the heads up to take a look.

        The odd thing is that yesterday morning a furnace repair company came to the door, but they had the wrong house--thank goodness. We've been there, done that ourselves in the middle of a cold winter with a dead furnace, bless those guys for being so prompt for the neighbors. It's been below zero or in the teens here.

        One thing you might want to check is if you have a humidifer on your furnace, it might be turned up too high and putting too much humidity in the air.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7655436].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author seasoned
          Originally Posted by AprilCT View Post

          Hmm, we have a high efficiency furnace and there is pvc pipe to the outside, I'll have to check to see how many pipe openings--right now I am guessing three. Anyway, when it was put in, there was a hook-up installed on the lower side of the furnace to pump moisture to an inside drain.

          I'll look outside in the morning to see if there is any moisture build up or ice and if there is, I'll post again to let you know. For the price, it better not be, so thanks for the heads up to take a look.

          The odd thing is that yesterday morning a furnace repair company came to the door, but they had the wrong house--thank goodness. We've been there, done that ourselves in the middle of a cold winter with a dead furnace, bless those guys for being so prompt for the neighbors. It's been below zero or in the teens here.

          One thing you might want to check is if you have a humidifer on your furnace, it might be turned up too high and putting too much humidity in the air.
          NOPE, NO humidifier. and YEAH, there IS a condensation pipe to send condensation to the drain. OBVIOUSLY IT isn't working that well.

          Steve
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7656574].message }}
          • Profile picture of the author AprilCT
            Maybe you need a different company to come in and evaluate what is going on?

            I looked outside today, and we only have two pipes. I know the exhaust/fumes-whatever is also sent up through the normal chimney pipe that goes out on the roof. We have no condensation or ice accumulation at the thru-the-outside wall pipes. I'm just wondering if perhaps whoever did your heating set up happened to hook up the inside pipes to the wrong thing?

            By the way, since you are having problems, it might also be a smart idea to get an additional CO2 detector and put it close to the heater in that area just in case...and see what it's reading.
            {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7658061].message }}
            • Profile picture of the author seasoned
              Originally Posted by AprilCT View Post

              Maybe you need a different company to come in and evaluate what is going on?

              I looked outside today, and we only have two pipes. I know the exhaust/fumes-whatever is also sent up through the normal chimney pipe that goes out on the roof. We have no condensation or ice accumulation at the thru-the-outside wall pipes. I'm just wondering if perhaps whoever did your heating set up happened to hook up the inside pipes to the wrong thing?

              By the way, since you are having problems, it might also be a smart idea to get an additional CO2 detector and put it close to the heater in that area just in case...and see what it's reading.
              Is yours like a 90%+ efficiency system? My 80% worked like yours does.

              Steve
              {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7658140].message }}

Trending Topics