cracked heat exchanger policy

[mtweedy]

What are your respective policies on finding a cracked heat exchanger in a client's gas furnace?

Shut it down no matter what? Shut it off at stat? Shut it off at ssy? Shut it off at Gas and cap it off? Leave it running if the client wants it running? Judgement call based on crack size?

I am trying to develop a clear policy for my company and find that I want to be honest with my customers, make it clear that a cracked heat exchanger is unacceptable and urgent, not leave a dangerous situation, leave them in comfort if it is bitter cold outside. I don't know how to do all those things for my customers without looking at each and every crack our technicians find.

I am looking for wisdom and maybe a gold nugget or two.

Thanks Guys!!

[BaldLoonie]

Unless it is unsafe such as flames rolling out or flue spilling, we'd give them the option and they sign a special form saying they wanted it left on.

[m kilgore]

We disable the furnace (shut off gas) and have them sigh a form that explains why we shut it down and the dangers of turning it back on.

To much liability to leave it on and if they want to turn it back on its there call.

[hvac maniac]

Get your post count up and apply for pro membership. You'll get many more responses from some of the pros out there. For us: Depends on crack size... With that being said we make sure the homeowner is well informed and knows the consequences of leaving it on. They also have to sign a form stating we told them etc. :o

[40_cents]

On a service call... If I find one, bad heat exchanger that is.
1) show customer where and why it happened. (show and tell)
2) shut power off to the unit.
3) Shut the gas valve outside the furnace off.
4) Bring out the legal forms and give them a price quote for a replacement of the exchangers if they are available. (some are still under warranty)
5) maybe it is time to talk about a NEW furnace.
6) ALWAYS let them see where the main gas valve is and the power switch. The customer still has a choice. Repair or Replace.

It's all about the Options

[rn110]

My company has a strict leave it off policy. Although most crack are minor, I don't wanna look down the barrel of that lawsuit. For a company with an off-site owner it protects his intrests and is his legal right. I don't show people how to turn the gas back on...If they ask, I will tell.....
To that point though, I wouldn't show them how to bypass a limit switch "Just for a few days"

[subzerocool]

I need not a crack, If I see rust on the heat exchanger I alarm the client. Time for a new furnace bar none. The home owner has the right to refuse the recomendation, its how we educate the home owner of the cause and risk. Thats key on making the sale.

[toptwo]

the company i work for doesnt do residential but old company rules were.
shut off gas cock, disconnect W. and pull tube from pressure switch if it had one. and paper work up the #$@...

[Mr Bill]

In some States you might get you tail in trouble if you shut off someones gas to their furnace, best thing is to have them "SIGN" a special doc. that states your findings and the furnace is not safe to operate and also have them "SIGN" on your invoice also, just write you have found the furnace is not safe to be operated and have them "SIGN" under it no big deal and everyone is happy, and you won't have any HO lawyers calling you up.

[sammyray]

We shut it down and tag it. If the crack is visible we show the customer. I had one custmer that got another tech to check the furnace and he torn my tag off and started the furnace up.:eek: There is NO WAY I WOULD TEAR SOMEONE TAG OFF A FURNACE just for to please a customer.

[rn110]

I need not a crack, If I see rust on the heat exchanger I alarm the client. Time for a new furnace bar none. The home owner has the right to refuse the recomendation, its how we educate the home owner of the cause and risk. Thats key on making the sale.

I tag it at that point and make them know it is unreliable..That way other follow-up techs keep consistant :cool:

[jpb2]

Shut the ball valve off and have the homeowner sign a document stating that the h/x is cracked

[docholiday]

First, is there visable flame distortion when the fan comes on? If not, Use a combustion analyzer... if CO is above 200 PPM in the flue, then check the CO in the return duct versus the supply, if there is any change, there you go. If not, look for a combustion air issue or some other cause. If it's natural draft, check the possiblility of return pulling a downdraft. Obviously it's more detailed than this, but not in this forum.

Gama, AGA, GRI have laid out a proper technique that needs some updating and removal of the "tracer gas" approach.