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The Kitchen Table

I woke up to a broken furnace.

17 years ago

It is the igniter switch thingy. It happened 8 or 9 years ago and had to be replaced then. At that time DH was in Asia and I had to wait 3 days to get it fixed when he came home. I remember keeping the fire going in the fireplace around the clock to keep the place at about 66 deg. I called him and he came home right away, pulled out the part and call the repair place. It will cost $40 just for that tiny part, but cheaper then a new furnace. He told work that it might take all day to fix and to take a flying leap. We need heat and all the parts places are closed over the weekend. So I guess I owe him a public apology and "Dog House" free card. He is always there to fix things when he can. Also for my birthday he surprised me and bought me flowers and a box of chocolates. Just what I need!

Clare

{{!gwi}}

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Comments (8)

softball_80
17 years ago
Even my wife wouldn't mind a case of Duraflame Logs as a Christmas gift in your situation. I'd rather be in a warm doghouse than a cold penthouse!
grammahony
17 years ago
I had that same part go out on my furnace twice. And it's only 8 years old. First time was about 4 years ago, then again last winter. And, of course on one of the most coldest days of the year. I have the maintanice plan, so it is a little cheaper to fix than if I didn't.
Leslie
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Hockeychik: It really doesn't matter what I pay in Maryland because my bills (and everyone else's) are based on many variables including house size, house age, construction, lifestyle, # of people living in the house, utility prices, phases of the moon, etc. Too many variables make up utility costs. If you replace a 1988 80% effficient gas furnace with a 2007 80% efficient gas furnace, you gain nothing in efficiency (but you do get a new gas furnace). If you get a 95% efficient gas furnace, you get 15% more efficient in gas usage (a 15% savings in your heating bill), a variable speed fan in the new air handler, and may qualify for the Federal tax credit that you want. The only "warning" is that a new, high-efficient, gas furnace may require modifications to your flue such as installation of a flue liner. I am not knowledgeable on gas furnaces so you need to investigate this so that you are educated on gas furnace requirements. If your a/c is 19 years old (mine was 21), you can assume that it was a 7 to 8 SEER unit. By going to 14 SEER, you should save about 40% on the cost to run your a/c per hour of run time. It's OK that you are not sure what to do. This is a big decision with big $$ so take your time and think it through. Again, good luck.
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First let me start out by saying this: If this is the first or even a second problem you have had in 20 years, consider yourself very lucky! When it comes to furnace problems, have the darn thing serviced by a GOOD heating and cooling company. ( One that has a good service and installation history.) For god sakes don't just start replacing parts hoping that this will repair the problem! In the long run this is the most costly thing a person can do. 1. Would you feel comfortable leaving on vacation for a week knowing your furnace will continue to run in let's say mid January? 2. You said your funace is 20 yrs old. I would really think about replacing it within a couple of more years. I somewhat think you should be O.K. for now based on that a unit of that age had a fairly well constructed heat exchanger when new, but that is not always the case. 3. If you plan on a replacement, also insist on an estamate for air conditioning as well. I live here in Michigan and had central air installed as well when I replaced my furnace. We do not need it as much as in the southern states, but it does get hot in July-August to make it worth it. I just tell myself that here in Michigan during the off season. The compressor will last alot longer than in the Southern States!
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glenda_al
17 years ago
Mine went out just about this time last year. Thank goodness for Duraflame Logs.
kframe19
17 years ago
I always advise people to keep an extra igniter (gas) or ignition transformer (oil) on hand.

They're relatively simple to swap out, relative cheap, and, if you swap the part out and the system works, you've just saved yourself a bunch of money.
nodakgal
17 years ago
I think you've got a keeper there Clare!
Beautiful flowers, delicious candy and he is a fix it man too!?

Stay warm
sjerin
17 years ago
What timing, Clare! They keep telling us it's going to get soooo cold this weekend, so I'm very glad to hear your dh will be able to fix it. The flowers are beautiful and I'm sure the chocolates are delish. I myself have a serious (dark) chocolate problem and eat it pretty much every day. Belated Happy Birthday!
nanny98
17 years ago
Gosh, those are really beautiful flowers! He's a keeper.
Nanny
nicki_in_niles
17 years ago
lol at what softball said! Those flowers are very beautiful. I'm hoping you have heat very, very soon, if you don't already.

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