The importance of furnace maintenance

[KBCraig]

It's important that you either know what you're doing, or hire someone who does. And even then, have smoke and CO detectors.


http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=Berlin+struck+again&articleId=d502aa94-fae5-4027-9d17-1d7e8aeba865

Berlin struck again

By LORNA COLQUHOUN
Union Leader Correspondent

BERLIN ? In a city still reeling from the death of three people in an apartment fire, police on Wednesday night discovered the bodies of three family members who died from carbon monoxide poisoning.

"The first (carbon monoxide) readings were 10 times higher than what a body can take," said Berlin Police Chief Pete Morency. "It took until midnight before it was completely aired out."

Autopsies were conducted yesterday and authorities identified the victims late yesterday as Henrietta Robbins, 75; her son, Donald Robbins, 54, and a 15-year-old boy officials did not identify, but whom Morency said was Donald Robbins' grandson.

Police and firefighters were called to the ranch home at 23 Demers St., which extends off Church Street, just before 8 p.m. Wednesday, after a family member went to check on the residents. One of the residents had failed to show up for a meeting earlier that day, Morency said.

After forcing entry into the home, the three bodies were discovered, he said. Two dogs also died.

The furnace was not running at the time, said Deputy Fire Chief Bob Goodreau, and the windows were blackened with soot.

Investigators from the state Fire Marshal's Office determined that the smoke resulted from venting problems with the oil-fired hot water boiler, which was the primary source of heat, The chimney, the investigation determined, was being used to vent the boiler and it was completely obstructed.

"The chimney appeared to have been previously used for venting an airtight woodstove and initial reports and observations suggested that someone had been working on the venting system," according to a report from the Fire Marshal's Office.

Just one battery-powered smoke detector was found in the home, and its battery was removed. No carbon monoxide detector was found.

"You can't say enough about maintenance" of home heating systems, Goodreau said, urging homeowners to have their furnaces cleaned and checked annually.

On Jan. 2, a devastating fire killed two adults and a child on upper Main Street. Investigators have still not determined a cause of that fire.

Five-year-old Jonathin Ellis, and his aunt, Sarah Whitman, 26, died in the fire at 691 Main St., along with Mark Cellupica, 46, who lived on the third floor of the three-story building.

Fire officials have determined that the fire, which also destroyed two neighboring buildings and damaged three others, began in the living room on the first floor, where Ellis and Whitman were found. Dr. Jennie Duval, deputy state medical examiner, said the three victims died of smoke inhalation.

In response to calls from the public about helping victims of the fire, Catholic Charities has set up a fund. To donate, send checks to 633 Third Ave., Berlin NH 03570 and note it is for the Berlin fund.

[error]

Not to mention CO detectors and batteries.

[Pat K]

This happens way to much.

Even some systems installed by so called pro's are scary to behold.

[MaineShark]

If you have any combustion going on in your home, above the level of a couple candles, you need one or more CO detectors.

And check your flue pipe to make sure it is fastened together.  I don't know how many systems I've seen where the sections of piping were just pushed together, without a single screw.  It only takes one rough start to blow the pipe apart, and then the appliance is venting directly into your home, not out the wall/chimney.

Also, while I'm at it, make sure you actually have sufficient combustion air.  A fuel-burning appliance should not be in a tight closet.  Many of the issues people have are a result or inadequate combustion air, and few installers (amateur and professional alike) bother to even consider combustion air, let alone do more than tell the homeowner to make sure it's there.  It only takes a few hours and a not much money to run an duct from the burner to the outdoors to supply fresh air.

Joe

[eques]

Our furnace is being replaced on Monday!

[Tom Sawyer]

Our furnace is being replaced on Monday!

Too bad... try to stay warm.

Tell your lady that you have to cuddle under the covers to stay warm. 

[Jim Johnson]

Our furnace is being replaced on Monday!

Tell your lady that you have to cuddle under the covers to stay warm. 

It worked for me... :hug2:...last week.

[eques]

Our furnace is being replaced on Monday!

Too bad... try to stay warm.

Tell your lady that you have to cuddle under the covers to stay warm. 

She won't disagree with that at all!

I'm the one who has to be up and about, but considering the situation, I may well want to stay tucked in.

But if I want a shower, I'll have to get one before sunrise. 

(Yeah, boo hoo, shut up.  My "work week" [where I don't really earn enough] is from Tuesday to Saturday so my "weekend" is Sunday and Monday.  Yes, I'm strongly considering getting another job, just like everybody else has to.)

[MaineShark]

Our furnace is being replaced on Monday!

Too bad... try to stay warm.

Why would that be an issue?  In 90% of cases, a quality heating company will have your heat back up within a single day, and any professional company should have space heaters (and temporary electric water heaters, if needed) for those cases where that's not possible.

Joe

[eques]

Our furnace is being replaced on Monday!

Too bad... try to stay warm.

Why would that be an issue?  In 90% of cases, a quality heating company will have your heat back up within a single day, and any professional company should have space heaters (and temporary electric water heaters, if needed) for those cases where that's not possible.

Joe

The issue is that we'll most likely be home all day, unless we have somewhere to go, which we're most certainly entertaining (but it has to be cheap-as-free entertainment).  Other than that, no, it's not an issue, except that the apartment doesn't retain heat very well when there's the slightest breath of wind, so it's going to be cold. 

[MaineShark]

Hence, electric space heaters

Joe

[Raineyrocks]

Joe,

If we have an air exchange system is carbon monoxide poisoning a concern?  We also have one of those gas fireplaces and I would like something more self sufficient like a wood burning stove put in the basement, do you do that kind of work?  If so would you have any idea how much it would cost?

[MaineShark]

If we have an air exchange system is carbon monoxide poisoning a concern?

Yup.  Not as high of a risk, but it's always a risk if you have any sort of flame going inside your house.  CO detectors are cheap.  $40 for the intermediate-level Kidde models at Home Depot (get a battery-operated unit that has a digital display).  $60 for the combined CO and gas leak detector.

We also have one of those gas fireplaces and I would like something more self sufficient like a wood burning stove put in the basement, do you do that kind of work?  If so would you have any idea how much it would cost?

Depends on the chimney.  Do you know how many flues you have, and whether you have one that isn't currently in-use?

Joe

[Raineyrocks]

If we have an air exchange system is carbon monoxide poisoning a concern?

Yup.  Not as high of a risk, but it's always a risk if you have any sort of flame going inside your house.  CO detectors are cheap.  $40 for the intermediate-level Kidde models at Home Depot (get a battery-operated unit that has a digital display).  $60 for the combined CO and gas leak detector.

We also have one of those gas fireplaces and I would like something more self sufficient like a wood burning stove put in the basement, do you do that kind of work?  If so would you have any idea how much it would cost?

Depends on the chimney.  Do you know how many flues you have, and whether you have one that isn't currently in-use?

Joe

Thanks for getting back to me Joe.   We don't have any flues.  My husband also thought about putting a wood stove in his shed too, would he need a flue for that?
We do have carbon monoxide detectors (every floor of the house), I wish I would've known about the combination gas detectors too when I bought the carbon monoxide detectors.  I miss our electric house, this gas makes me nervous.

[Russell Kanning]

I have always lived in a house heated by something other than electricity ... and I am still alive.