Gas Bill high!

[jerstilly]

We just got our recent gas bill, and it was a lot higher then expected, it isnt even winter yet. Were talking $130 month. It is a 2 story home, roughly 1500 sq ft, 60,000 btu High efficiency furnace, house is 10 years old. I checked the MP on the furnace it was at 4.7, to i put it back to 3.5" WC where it should be(natural Gas), i also noticed today, that when the burners shut off at the end of the cycle, while the circ. fan is still running(on cool down), i can smell gas. After a while it goes away. I have never experienced this before on a furnace. There are no leaks, checked for this. Just wondering if it could be the gas valve not closing properly at first?? Does anybody have any other ideas of what this could be, or what could be causing the problem?? thanks a lot

[hvaclover]

Did you have help installing this furnace or do it by yourself?

[jerstilly]

I am a licensed tech...we are renting the house right now..actually back in school again to become an industrial millwright...i did not install it?????????.whatever difference that makes??

[hvaclover]

You didn't specify in your profile that you are a tech.
Re-register as a professional member.

[jerstilly]

oh, ok, sorry..i didnt realize...i tried to edit my profile but i see nothign concerning a professional member?? anybody have any ideas?...also any ideas of what my problem could be??

[hvaclover]

Did you take Delta "T" before adjusting GP?

Did you take it after?

What brand?

What size is the ductwork?

What is the air prep of the furnace?

Is the plenum full size off the furnace?

What are the dimensions of the CA drop?

What size is the CA boot?

Where is the FR mounted, external or internal?

Is the gas supply flex, trac, or hard pipe?

Is the furnace upflow or down flow?

[jerstilly]

how does any of that have to do with where im getting the gas smell from?? plenum size..RA drop..duct work size...im lost here..anyways

[mark beiser]

I'm not saying there is nothing wrong with your furnace, but if the furnace doesn't keep the combustion blower running for a post purge after the call for heat ends, isn't unusual at all to get a little hint of a gas smell if you are in front of the furnace. Its just the last bit of gas that was in the manifold.

[hvaclover]

[Edited by hvaclover on 11-20-2006 at 07:29 PM]

[dan sw fl]

Originally posted by jerstilly
I have never experienced this before on a furnace. There are no leaks, checked for this. Just wondering if it could be the gas valve not closing properly at first?? Does anybody have any other ideas of what this could be, or what could be causing the problem?? thanks a lot

What did the gas company representative say?

[jerstilly]

i know how to the adjust MP, only done it probably 10000 times..there is not a gas "leak", im getting a gas smell after the burners shut down..its not coming from gas lines, all gas lines have been leak tested and a dial test has been performed at the gas meter..indanger the public eh....theres no gas smell out of vents. I was just curious if people had ever seen or heard of the symptom i am running into with the gas valve. as im my many years , i have not, thats all. I dont need to be here, plus dont have the time, to argue back and forth to you, on how much i know. I just had a simple Q about the gas valve symptom. All of the duct work is up to par, everything is done correctly, sizing is good, plenum size is correct, RA drop is good, 16x25x1 filter...

[hvaclover]

I can only go by what you type here.
What would you have me think if you say your are "lost here".
I now see you meant my response confused you.

Tell me, if you wanted a response to the gas smell WHY did you use the heading "GAS BILL HIGH!"?

Has a tendency to make a reader skim over the stuff not related to the thread title.

Sorry if there was misinterpretation or confusion.

[Edited by hvaclover on 11-20-2006 at 07:25 PM]

[jthomas21]

Guess I can't complain about my $60 gas bill for my 2600 sq/ft home. Highest last year was $150. $130 the year before. I live in Central Indiana.

[heattech]

Its possible your GV is sticking a little on closing but you would probably see a little afterburn on or in the burners.as far as high gas bills if you have no gas leaks how about duct leaks !! Return pulling in cold air? causing longer run times. Blower set on to high a setting. you could also have a possible rupture in the Regulator at the meter. Do you have a combustible gas detector? you might want to check. Good luck!!

[r247yan]

dont wast your time here.. it sounds like you are a super tech and know it all any how..

[jerstilly]

r247yan - If i knew it all i wouldn't be here, everybody has there opinion don't they? At the start of this thread there was some misunderstanding, which got solved! I have my thought which aren't going to be the same as yours and everybody elses on here at all times, that why I'm asking for help. Thanks for the tips r247yan!!!!!!!

[hvaclover]

jerstilly

Contact admin to re register as a pro.

Professional distinction Will allow you to mesh smoothly with other site members.


[Edited by hvaclover on 11-21-2006 at 11:19 AM]

[jetstream]

I guess you're wondering if your gas bill is high because you've got a leak somewhere.

Very very very unlikely that's the cause. If it's raw gas, even going out the vent, you or your neighbors will surely smell it if it's a sufficient volume to affect your bill, because that would be one big fine gas leak.

I worked for a utility for many years, and investigated "high bill" complaints often. And people would often think the gas must be leaking away somewhere. But we'd never find that to be the cause. We'd start with the premise, (assuming the meter was correctly read), that the gas was actually consumed, and go from there.

[btuandkwh]

As for registering as a pro, ... I believe I read you need 20-30 posts, so it looks like you are not there yet (neither am I).

If you do not have a combustion analyzer, see if you can use one from work, you will not know if you have gained or lost any efficience by adjusting the gas pressure without it. A combustable gas leak detector might be usefull in this instance also, though it does sound like your gas valve might be sticking a little.

If you have ruled out a leak and have done an efficency test that that turns out ok...??? Air flow problems..? Or the cost of gas has just gone up that much??

Good luck

[docholiday]

Why not look at the gas bill? It may be that either last month, or for a few months, they estimated the meter reading and this time it was an actual reading. If you just moved in, maybe there is a deposit or hook up fee included.

Even if your furnace was overfiring it still takes X btuh's to heat your house. Lowering the gas to the correct pressure is the right thing to do but it will not reduce the amount of gas needed to heat your home by any significant amount. Maybe a little but not what you are describing.

[Furnace_dude]

check the bill like said above. one thing though, hows the h20 heater?