Lennox Pulse

[cub hater]

Lennox Pulse

M# G-1403-60-1403
S# 5886C0313

Gentlemen of Wisdom

This furnace has been in my house since I moved here in 1995. I have not had to do any serious repairs on it other than cleaning the air intake box, replacing the filter, and also the blower motor, since I have been here.

What is the life expectancy of this furnace and how will I know when to think about replacing it?

When was it manufactured, does the 588 mean May of 1988?

Any other tips and suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

I used to service and install residential HVAC systems 20 years ago, it's just that I never had any experience with these pulse units.

By the way, I am very satisfied with the system and would highly recommend it.

Many thanks,

[fixer]

Your furnace was built in 1986. I recommend as soon as possible you contact a Lennox Professinal Service Company and have your furnace Pressure tested and if it passes the pressure test get it serviced. I also recommend getting the furnace pressure tested anually to assure the heat exchanger is solid. I also recommend getting a CO detector not only because of the Pulse furnace but anyone burning fuel of any kind needs a CO detector.

[tinknocker service tech]

that furnace was made in march of 86
since you are the second owner it is no longer under warrenti
original owner has a life time warrenti on the heat exchanger

the pulse is 97 percent efficient and there isnt nor ever has been a more efficient furnace
the heat exchanger should be presure tested every two years and the air diaphram has the be changed every two years also

this furnace should be maintanced by a trained pulse tech every year. this is important to maintane the efficiencie

over time there are a lot of thing that will need to be cleaned and or checked

great furnace no need to replace till you have to because you will step down in efficiency not up

[Jultzya]

Originally posted by fixer
Re: Lennox Pulse
Your furnace was built in 1986. I recommend as soon as possible you contact a Lennox Professinal Service Company and have your furnace Pressure tested and if it passes the pressure test get it serviced. I also recommend getting the furnace pressure tested anually to assure the heat exchanger is solid. I also recommend getting a CO detector not only because of the Pulse furnace but anyone burning fuel of any kind needs a CO detector.

Very solid advise above!

[retired btc]

Here is the Memo From Lennox concerning the Pulse Furnaces

From Lennox Service and Application Notes H-93-15 released December 14, 1993 and re-released on March 30, 2005

In order to maintain the efficiency and reliability of the Pulse furnace, the following service guidelines have been established and should be performed on each scheduled service inspection of a unit. As with any gas-fired appliance, incomplete combustion (CO) caused by improper maintenance along with leaks in the system could result in serious personal injury.

• Inspect heating system yearly. Inspect intake and exhaust PVC pipe for condensate leaks or joint separation. Repair, as necessary.

• Check supply and manifold gas pressure. Adjust pressure, as necessary.

• Check furnace firing rate by clocking gas meter. (Refer to installation instructions.)

• Test oxygen / carbon dioxide level of flue gas to determine if proper combustion is taking place.

• Test carbon monoxide levels in flue gas. Level should never exceed 50 PPM.

• Check temperature rise and make sure proper blower speed is selected to match nameplate rating.

• Inspect heat exchanger assembly for any signs of corrosion.

• Inspect secondary heat exchanger for dirt build-up and clean, as necessary.

• Inspect air diaphragm flapper material for dirt or deterioration and replace, if necessary. Air flapper material must be replaced every four years regardless of appearance.

• Perform a pressure test of the heat exchanger and combustion chamber every four years.

• Inspect gas intake flapper material for dirt or deterioration. Replace entire gas intake assembly if flapper material is found to be worn.

• Inspect purge blower for dirt build-up every year and clean, as necessary.

• Inspect stainless steel flexible gas connector for corrosion.
Remember -- Some soaps used for leak testing are corrosive to stainless steel. Failure to thoroughlyrinse gas connector after leak check can lead to corrosion.

• Check supply air blower wheel and clean, as necessary.

• Check fan and limit controls for proper operation and setting.

• Check all wiring for loose connections. Check for correct voltage.

• Inspect intake and exhaust pipe terminations to make sure they are free from obstruction.

• Inspect condensate lines for free flow of condensate during operation.

• Instruct homeowner to inspect filter monthly and clean or replace, as needed. Dirty filters cause inefficient operation. Running the unit with a dirty filter or without a filter could cause premature
heat exchanger failure.

• Verify and check operation of existing CO detector.

[coldsnap]

Geez..How bout a lunch menu?

[stonefly]

the warranty on that furnace was ammended to 20 yrs on other than original owner.it was part of a voluntary inspection program for pulses made between 1982 & dec,31,1989.it should be inspected imediatley & a pressure check done. it might just still be in warranty.if it passes the pressure check one should be done every four yrs.also the flapper should be replaced now & every 4 yrs as well.there are some very specific tasks to perform on your "yearly" maintenance.when you set an appt. for service be sure that your lennox dealer is aware it is a pulse & has the special tools nec. for the test.it may help if you can locate the install date.as for life expectancy,ive replaced a few that didn't pass the pressure test but if theres a furnace out there that could live forever ,this is it.

[MikeJ]

Originally posted by cub hater
Lennox Pulse

M# G-1403-60-1403
S# 5886C0313

I used to service and install residential HVAC systems 20 years ago, it's just that I never had any experience with these pulse units.

By the way, I am very satisfied with the system and would highly recommend it.

Many thanks,



Your main concern is the integrity of the heat exchanger.
Also, if this passes the highly recommended pressure test, then a service call by a trained Pulse tech is your next best move. You might want the blower removed and the secondary heat exchanger coil inspected/cleaned. You don't know the past history of filter changes and this is a common issue with older high efficiency units. Also, a condensate trap cleaning is a good idea.

Due to Pulse technology, yearly service is questionable, but self testing before each season will tell you things. I know some won't buy this but most pulse owners I ran into didn't do yearly but they never neglected their units either. Those that did would have no heat calls eventually. Then air diaphrams, condensate trap cleanings, and the dirty secondary I mentioned, needed to be addressed.

For more insight, use the search engine here and type in Pulse. Variety of views on the pulse but I go with your last statement.

[HeyBob]

Originally posted by tinknocker service tech
that furnace was made in march of 86
since you are the second owner it is no longer under warrenti
original owner has a life time warrenti on the heat exchanger



Lennox is a little flexible there, you have to account for time sitting in a warehouse. If he get's it tested this week and it fails, I am sure any Lennox dealer can get him a warranty replacement.

[doc havoc]

It was my understanding that Lennox did not supply a new heat exchanger anymore. They supply a new furnace and the customer is responsible for the install costs. Somebody please correct me if I am wrong.

[referguy64]

The cost of maintenance on a pulse that is almost 20 yrs old doesn't make sense to me. The extra 2 or 3 % in efficiency doesn't cover that cost.

[MikeJ]

I worked for a Lennox dealer for 4 yrs and the next company had a lot of carrier and lennox units out there. Plus both had lots of customers with a variety of brands.

But your statement about the cost of maintenance threw me.
More Pulse 'I don't understand you' attitude?

[heatingairman]

I am an employee of Lennox out of the Milwaukee district. The warranty for Pulse furnace after an original owner is 20 years + 6 months if the install date cannot be verified. You should have it pressure tested by an authorized Lennox dealer. If the unit fails the pressure test, a G51 furnace will be used for replacement. You are resposible for labor. You are also allowed to upgrade to a G61MPV (variable speed unit)if you pay the differance. Pulse furnaces are great units and very efficient with relatively low failure rates.

[t527ed]

Originally posted by referguy64
The cost of maintenance on a pulse that is almost 20 yrs old doesn't make sense to me. The extra 2 or 3 % in efficiency doesn't cover that cost.



WTF are you talking about????????? a pressure test and an air flapper every 4 yrs. a 20 yr old pulse properly serviced probably has a better chance of being around 20 yrs from now than ANY 90% furnace being made today.

[heatingairman]

Yeah, as long as you don't have a noisy -2 unit a pulse will be your best bet for reliability and efficiency.

[referguy64]

Originally posted by t527ed

Originally posted by referguy64
The cost of maintenance on a pulse that is almost 20 yrs old doesn't make sense to me. The extra 2 or 3 % in efficiency doesn't cover that cost.



WTF are you talking about????????? a pressure test and an air flapper every 4 yrs. a 20 yr old pulse properly serviced probably has a better chance of being around 20 yrs from now than ANY 90% furnace being made today.


You must not have seen the secondary heat exchangers fall apart and fill the homes with CO.

I did

[AllTemp]

For anyone that may be interested I am not intereted in servicing Pulse furnaces in the future... I'd rather deckine the service call if I know it's a Pulse.

That being said I have the complete Lennox Test Kit, all fittings, adpters, etc. a few packs of flappers, some labels, etc.


Anyone interest email me...

[Toolpusher]

Why are you affriad of the Pulse,
Opps never mind I see you like janitrol and flex.

[t527ed]

Originally posted by referguy64

Originally posted by t527ed

Originally posted by referguy64
The cost of maintenance on a pulse that is almost 20 yrs old doesn't make sense to me. The extra 2 or 3 % in efficiency doesn't cover that cost.



WTF are you talking about????????? a pressure test and an air flapper every 4 yrs. a 20 yr old pulse properly serviced probably has a better chance of being around 20 yrs from now than ANY 90% furnace being made today.


You must not have seen the secondary heat exchangers fall apart and fill the homes with CO.

I did


any furnace can have a heat exchanger failure and put co in a house. if properly maintaned there is very low co output in the first place. i have seen pulse furnace break tailpipe off leaving the combustion chamber and no co at all in house air, sounded like a friggn truck running but no co. secondary heat exchangers i have found very few leaks on and no co from them. just like any other piece of equipment rgular service is vital.

[tinknocker service tech]

Originally posted by t527ed

Originally posted by referguy64

Originally posted by t527ed

Originally posted by referguy64
The cost of maintenance on a pulse that is almost 20 yrs old doesn't make sense to me. The extra 2 or 3 % in efficiency doesn't cover that cost.



WTF are you talking about????????? a pressure test and an air flapper every 4 yrs. a 20 yr old pulse properly serviced probably has a better chance of being around 20 yrs from now than ANY 90% furnace being made today.


You must not have seen the secondary heat exchangers fall apart and fill the homes with CO.

I did


any furnace can have a heat exchanger failure and put co in a house. if properly maintaned there is very low co output in the first place. i have seen pulse furnace break tailpipe off leaving the combustion chamber and no co at all in house air, sounded like a friggn truck running but no co. secondary heat exchangers i have found very few leaks on and no co from them. just like any other piece of equipment rgular service is vital.


same here have yet to see any co from a leaking secondary heat exchanger. have seen a couple where the pipe split coming out of the combustion chamber put out co when it would try to start. but those types of failures it dont run anyway just tries and bogs out
quess any thing that burns will produce co even the pulse
so just cause i havent seen it dont mean it doesnt happen

[stonefly]

iv'e tried to look at various opinions on pulses from both sides.i have the advantage of having been fascinated by the technology since tech. school & taking all i could get since then.i'm glad i didnt see my first one while out trying to make a living.my guess is some fine techs have had to walk away leaving the check on the table. also i can see theres no money in training people on obscure equipt. they will only rarely see. it was my understanding at the time of the inspection program that no one had suffered co poisoning from a pulse.in the inspections that i performed readings were taken with combustion analizer & co detector if memory serves the flue gas c.o. readings ran 3-4 ppm.the good news is that there are only about three things internal that are likely to be the problem and they are maintanance issues.it is what it is.i got alot of "joe only" calls over the years.