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Sorry little off-topic from the current subject. I'm the owner of a new townhouse, and I'm at my 1-year mark of the Tarion warranty. The Internet has mixed reviews of the effectiveness of Tarion and the use of a home inspector. Anyone have any opinions on this subject?
On that note also check that your main water shut-off value is working properly especially if you live in an older house.Quote:
Originally Posted by pwdunmore
Well... You can't really tell if they cut corners unless you open the walls up. :pQuote:
Originally Posted by eqlso
Are you having problems with something or are you just paranoid?
Ever seen chimneys in the winter of houses with old furnaces? Iced up. Bam.Quote:
Originally Posted by m_bisson
I'm just paranoid. Havent had any problems so far. Only gripe I have is the living room above the garage has cold floors. Not sure if the warranty even covers something like that.Quote:
Originally Posted by m_bisson
Wear socks /slippers. Or insulate the garage.Quote:
Originally Posted by eqlso
That has nothing to do with warranty. If your garage is cold, the floor above it will be coldQuote:
Originally Posted by eqlso
Loki is correct. I lived in such a house that was actually built by contractors FOR contractors. So every house on the block was done right.
Insulate and heat the garage if you want a warm living room.
Yes the garage is unheated, but isn't there supposed to be a certain level of insulation required between heated and unheated spaces so this doesn't happen?
My living room is over my entire garage, and only the first 2 meters or so facing the front of house is cold. They must have insulation in place or else my whole living room floor would be cold.
Well either way, any opinions of the tarion warranty/home inspector question?
Never bought a new house here so take this with a grain of salt:
Have you reviewed your contract with the builder on what was to be included in the townhouse?
Should the garage be insulated and if so to what level?
Garages generally are not insulated. Adjoining walls/floors should be insulated. The typical problem above garages is that you get air movement past the insulation/vapour barrier through corners where things don't get sealed up 100% and the air movement lets the cold just blow right by. Plus if you put your hand against the outside walls they will be cooler too than an interior wall, the floor behaves the same way you just end up walking on it so you notice it more.
If you have warranty, bring it up with them and see what they say...no hurt in asking them to fix it.
@SomeGuy hit the nail on the head. Your feet will notice the difference, but that's normal. Go touch an interior wall and exterior wall. They will feel different.
I had the same issue when I had my house, the front guest bedroom and washroom were always cold and which sat 'mostly' above the garage. I checked out the insulation in the garage and saw there was little to no insulation barrier in parts. I questioned the builder and was told the house was within specs/requirements and they were not obligated to remedy the issue... To solve the problem I picked up some pink insulation and some foam insulation (can stuff) and insulated myself as best I knew how and bingo the rooms were just as warm as most of the rest of the house. Mind you the floors were still colder to the touch.Quote:
Originally Posted by eqlso
_3
OK guys, I need advice.
My furnace (a York "luxaire") 80,000 input BTU's (68000 output) that was installed in 1992.
It has died on me both winters. After last winter (I fixed it myself) I bought a warranty via reliance.
Died a few weeks ago - The High Limit sensor kept sticking on. (would fix it if I turned off the furnance, let it cool down, and tapped the sensor) The Exhaust blower also buzzed and ran very hot. The warranty covered it all.
The only "ongoing" issue right now, is that unless i have every single vent open, and some vent covers removed - the furnace will short cycle due to the high limit being hit. The tech even "de-tuned" it to 3.3.... something of gas pressure instead of the standard 3.5... something measurement of Nat. Gas pressure. (bar? Inches of something? Forgive my ignorance)
regardless the service guy said my furnace is 23 years old - I should investigate getting a new one.
There's pros and cons.
I imagine we'll be in this house for 4 or so more years. anything can happen - but that's what I'm guessing.
The Furnace is Loud, but it works now. It buzzes. a lot.
I assume The furnace will die in the next 4 years.
Our A/C barely works. It basically wastes money, dehumdifies the house and on a 32 degree day, it'll stay on 24/7 to lower the house to a decent sleeping temperature (25-26*c)
My "logic" is that if I have to buy a furnace before I move, I mind as well realize some savings in the next 4 years.
Next question: I've gotten 3 quotes: 2 for 70,000 btu (input) furnaces... and then one 48000 btu. All are 2 stage, 96% eff. variable speed DC ECM motors, and 2 tonne 14.5 seer A/C units.
Low quote is 7600 all in, High quote is 8640 all in. The high quote also includes 10 years free parts/labour. The low quote requires me to pay them to do yearly service to maintain my warranty... which I'm fairly sure is slightly illegal. (its like saying you have to go to the MAZDA dealer for an oil change, no?)
Is anyone on here an expert?
My house is a mostly detached (joined by un-insulated garage to my neighbour) 1200sq foot 2 story house. The upstairs is chronically cold. I feel like my ducts are undersized - Is there a way I can compensate? A stronger blower? Not entirely sure what static pressure is, but I think a bigger blower puts up with "more" of it, provides more air flow, stops the furnace from overheating internally? Would also force air up stairs?
Another thing that "worries" me with the "new" DC motors - they run on a low speed for the majority of the time - if I have poor ductwork up stairs - Will any circulation happen up there? are the new motors powerful enough at full speed?
Any thoughts, experiences, or if anyone is in the industry - Please PM me! 8 grand right now is a HUGE amount of money to me, and very life changing (hampering) amount.
there is someone on the forums that does HVAC - but I cannot remember who it was.
IMO - get a new furnace and AC
One - you'll save on your monthly bills. Two - you don't want the furnace conking out when it's -30 outside. And three - it would up the value of your home when you sell in 4 years.
Adding the new furnace will actually add value to your home believe it or not.
by the sounds of it it's time to put a new one in... When your ready to sell in 4 years it will benefit you when selling
edit: I didn't read default comment which he said it adds value to your home lol
Pull the sensor out and sand it down. It probably has a build up of soot on it and it's not reading things properly. Mine used to do the same thing: run for a minute then shut off before anything got warmed up. After cleaning the sensor off with sandpaper it's been fine (3rd winter since I've done that)
23 year old furnace, a replacement would be a good investment IMO.
look into financing options and any gov't rebates. every bit helps.
the high limit sensor was replaced 2 weeks ago. (it was sticking open)
Its more a matter of "is it going to break down for the third time when it hits -20 out?"
I would get more quotes those seem high to me. I just had a quote for a 100,000btu furnace super high efficiency 96+ or something or other, no ac for 3000-3500. I know the guy but still, only as my hvac guy. This price includes full install with new intake and exhaust plumbing for the high efficiency,my old furnace isn't. I know I'm over in BC, but I'd get another quote or two before laying down that kind of cheddar.
Luckily I've got wood heat too so I can think on it for awhile. My old furnace is doing similar to yours, tripping the limit switch and then shutting down and blowing cold air.
My co-worker said he would put a 60000 btu in. Those quotes seem very high though. Our furnace installs are usually around 4-5 grand. And regarding the furnace servicing, they just need a paper trail of servicing to prove that it's the furnace defect, and not the owner neglect causing problems. What furnaces are involved in those quotes? Bryant? Carrier? I would stick to those two. Can't beat them.
Quotes were for both Furnace and A/C System installed.
Reliance quoted 3100 for the A/C, CoreTemp was 2800 for the A/C.
CoreTemp's A/C unit was a 13 Seer unit, but they said they do something with the coils (caged? Boxed?) that raises it to 14.5 Seemed... suspect. (you need 14.5 to get the 650 dollar rebate on your hvac system)
Hmm. I didn't realize the a/c was that much. Still seems a little high to me. I don't remember the exact brand my guy was talking about but he uses a good quality name brand. I had him install a furnace and a/c in another house over 10 years ago and it's going fine. I still have that house as a rental.
I got a brand new a/c done last year. Was around 2400 all in.
BTW - when/if you get the furnace done - you might as well ask for a free water heater replacement. (Another thing you don't want breaking down in -20* weather)
I'm assuming you rent it - so there should be no extra charge to you as long as you get the same size capacity.