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View Full Version : Cleaning the heat exchanger...



kdriven
12-05-2006, 09:29 AM
Ok, so maybe I just paid $500 to have my furnace fixed, well actually a control valve replaced and new thermostat put in...and you'd think I'd be more careful following that, but...

I knocked down a brick fireplace front in my basemnt and my furnace ate the dust up like it was on a mission. I didn't notice until about a day later when the house atarted to cool, it's 14 F outside, and I stopped to notice only the fan running. I went down and pulled out the filter, absolutley rock solid covered in dust. I also pulled of the return duct and used compressed air to blow through the heat exchager, first out towards the return and then in towards the blower box...it seems to have worked it out (new filter installed).

Question is, if I called out a pro would they clean that exchanger any differently? Also, do they make a comb or something for those fins. I think the last homeowner got a little aggressive on installing his filters!

hvaclover
12-06-2006, 02:39 PM
I'm sure you got a very good dust cloud going w/that air compressor.

No, the usual method for cleaning a ht ex involves a little less ''forceful" approach.

Brushes a certain manufacturer are employed so as not to disturb the aluminized construction of the ht ex.

The debris are pulled out of the burner area and consumed by a cleaning device we pros use.

A through inspection of heat the ht ex is performed with a telescoping camera eye.

In the end a CO test is electronically administered.

Abbreviated description, but you get the general idea.

kdriven
12-06-2006, 03:31 PM
Man, I wish you guys lived in my area. When I asked the guy that came to repair my system how and when the duct heater worked and if he could check it he said "Nope, we don't use those kind anymore." I'm absolutley confident the thing never, even with the thermostat on emergency heat comes on.

I'll call around and ask some companies what they'd do to clean my heat excahnger. If they even come close to your answer I'll have them come out. Thanks for the info.

hvaclover
12-06-2006, 03:34 PM
They are good prices and then there is good service.
Choose wisely.