Furnace, boiler and heat-pump

service and repair question fill out form

by G&S Mechanical:

With emphasis on repair not replacement

Fill in your heating questions
and we will answer as soon as possible
Scott Meenen n3sjh.

For gas burner ignition problems please try this new form!
For heat pump questions this form may work better.

Brand of Equipment:
American StandardArcoArco-Air Bryant Carrier Coleman Evcon (York)
Comfortmaker Day/Night/Payne  Dunham-Bush Fedders Fredrich
GoodmanGeneral Electric HeilIntertherm Janitrol  Miller Modine
NordyneRheem/RuudStewart WarnerTraneWilliamsWestinghouse
WhirlpoolWeil MclainYork

If your equipment is gas fired please try this form first
Type of equipment: Hot Air FurnaceHot water BoilerSteam boilerFan coil unit
Heat-Pump with backup heat provided by one of the fuels Checked below

Fueled by: Natural GasPropane#2 Fuel oil#1 Fuel oil (kerosene)Electricity
CoalWood

Located In:
BasementAtticGarageShedClosetCrawl space
Sitting in living quarters
The heat source in somewhere else and is piped in

The Problem(S) Seems to Be: Temperature control Humidity Fuel consumption
Noise Leaking fuel Dust or dirt Odor or fumes Uneven temperature
Controls Problem Air Flow Air filter  Fuel filter (Oil or Kerosene)
Intermittent problem Flame roll out (gas) Ignition failure (oil) Ignition delay (Gas)
Fan Speed Pilot Flame out (gas)

Priority of question.
Low Priority will return an e-mail or phone call in several hours or days.
Medium Priority: Will return a phone call the same day (no e-mail responses).
High Priority: Will return a phone call ASAP (no email-responses) and a donation is requested.
Email response with details: I will write you a detailed e-mail respose but a donation is requred because it is the most work.

Talk show reminder: Would you like your e-maill address to be added to my Cooltalk Reminder list
Yes add me to the list.
No Thanks, I will add myself later.


Form Guidelines:
If you are requesting service in the Baltimore Washington area. Please e-mail me with directions and phone numbers.
Please leave a working phone number with area code. No spaces in your e-mail address!!!
Please include useful information not in the form.
Please avoid using phrases like "kick on", "kick in" or "kick off", "the furnace or heater won't": as a substitute for a description.
Please avoid "one liners" like "my furnace won't light" or "my heat pump blows cold air" unless it is actually cooling at the time.
I do not need to know that your furnace is "blowing cold air", it goes without saying.
I do not have wiring diagrams. You should be able to trouble-shoot without one.

Please scroll down before hitting send, a lot of questions are answered below.

 
 



Making a donation of $5-20 will give you highest priority and help me pay for this service.

Due to overwhelming response if you have a control wiring or fan control problem
(fan-won't-shut-off) please review these links and the links on the home page and here first.

I will need as much information as you can provide on what you have found so far which will require use of a multi tester (meter) that can measure 24, 120 , 240 volts AC and ohms. For electric furnaces you will need to check your elements and sequencers which may require the use of a clamp on ac ammeter. Like this one being use to check a heatpump current draw at the contactor. If you are unsure of your abilities please seek the help of someone who understands electricity and control wiring. If you have to ask for a place to start then you really need to seek help. I encourage everyone who is technically and mechanically inclined to repair their own equipment but please know when to say when. If you need to ask for a wiring diagram then you should reconsider trouble shooting your system. In order to read a wiring diagram you will have to understand electricity anyway.
A.W Sperry clamp on ac ammeter avaliable at Lowes or The Home Depot1819 light bulbs avaliable at Radio Shack a powerfull testing tool.
Please DO NOT replace your thermostat as a diagnostic!
To easily see the 24 volt control signal purchase an 1819 light bulb, sockets and clip leads (available at Radio Shack). Connect the lamp with clip leads (do not let the socket conductors touch anything else) from the common side of the control transformer to the "W" terminal from the thermostat or across the gas valve or other 24 volt components you need to test. This test lamp is one of the most powerful testing tools. You can fasten the socket to your equipment using a #6 self tapping sheet metal screw and leave it connected all the time for monitoring purposes.

Oil burner questions please use this form.
To help identify which type of gas furnace system you have please  click here first.
Please include a phone number if you can.
Please be patient as I don't always get back as soon as I would like.
 It can be a few minutes or a few days.
If you make a mistake hit your back button I will read the most recent form post that you send.
If you are requesting service in the Baltimore Washington area.
Please e-mail me with directions and phone numbers.
Parts for sale will soon be available .
Need parts here is my Supply house list.

    Contact us Via the Contact page
 

Please send corrections  and suggestions Email us at: jsmeenen@toad.net
This text written by: Scott Meenen * G & S Mechanical
Go to or return to the G&S Mechanical home page