Furnace DIY » Furnace Questions » Lifespan Of A Furnace
Lifespan Of A Furnace
Question
I’m just curious if about 6 years is a good lifetime for an ignitor,
and if there is anything much I can do to lengthen this interval.
I did vacuum the cobwebs and dust out of the furnace at the start
of the season, and I was careful not to hit the ignitor with the
vacuum.
Answers
Matt- 6 years is damn good. Don’t be disappointed if you don’t get
that much life outta the new one… They are noted for having the
same lifespan as a lightbulb, so, have a spare on hand at all times,
and put it somewhere safe where it cannot fall or become the latest
victim of raging children, etc.
Associated Lifespan Of A Furnace QuestionAssociated Lifespan Of A Furnace Question:: What is wrong with my furnace, and is it something that needs immediate help?
I use a 2-year-old, high-efficiency gas furnace to heat my home. A few days ago, I noticed that it was making a higher-pitched, rather sick sound as it started up. Then I noticed there was water dripping onto the top of it. From what I could tell, condensation in the exterior vent pipe was leaking through the joints in the pipe — I’ve sealed them, and the dripping has ceased. However, the “sick” sound is still there, albeit not as badly. Is this something that will simply shorten the lifespan of my furnace (more like 15 years than 20), or should I call a repair person sooner, rather than later? Or could this be something I might be able to fix myself? A motor problem, or whatnot. Thanks for your time in answering.
- Answer:It sounds like the venter motor is on it’s way out. There is two fans on a high efficiency furnace. One to circulate the air through your house and one to push the burnt gases outside through the plastic vent pipe. The vent motor might seem simple to change, but you are better off letting a professional handle it. It has to be installed properly with the correct type of sealers or you could have products of combustion entering your home. hire a pro, get it fixed right, and get a good nights sleep knowing you and your family are safe.
Associated Lifespan Of A Furnace Question: I seek to build deep-cycle batteries.?
I did a benefit/cost analysis of solar power and it is too expensive due to the lifespan of the storage batteries . I know about chargers that can extend the life of batteries but that is not enough. I seek good simple designs so I can make them myself. I have 370 lbs of lead and an electric furnace to melt in. I expect to be able to take the plates out individually if they need repaired. I further accept that the batteries will be much larger than a purchased battery at the same output capacity. I am willing to sacrifice structural toughness as the battery will not have to endure any kind of mechanical shocks or vibration. Some primary concerns: Making lead oxide, reusing lead oxide from other batteries, pressing the oxide into plates, avoiding contamination of self and home, and how much antimony to use. Thanks
- Answer:I’d reccomend against this, there are a myriad of dangers dealing with molten metal and especially lead. I’ve known people that work in battery factories (interstate) and they tell some ugly stories, it takes very little lead (and even less lead fumes) to do alot of damage. As far as creating your own alloys this is fairly foolish as well. The main killer for batteries is corrosion and failure of the lead plates. However careful you think you are you will never get the same quality and workmanship as a large manufacturer using modern tools and methods. Look into industrial deep cycle batteries, they have lives projected at 10-20 years with good practices, your PV panels are probably only going to work for 25 years so its a decent match. You can buy some serious batteries for a couple thousand, imagine your solar sells are going to set you back more than that If you are crazy enough to want to make your own then melt it in a very open area, wearing a respirator with the wind going at your back. You want the plates as thick and uniform as possible. You will never get a good pour by hand but if that is what you want, that’s the only way to do it. As far as re-using lead oxide I’m not sure you need to. Lead is pretty cheap, just buy some new lead. The old lead can be re-melted, its not going to all be PbO, just melt it and take the slag (oxide) floating on the top. I hope you don’t create a big environmental issue on yourself or your property, I’m sure you will spill and contaminate everything with the fumes.
Associated Lifespan Of A Furnace Question: What’s The Most Efficient & Economic Way To Use A Heatpump?I’m trying to figure out the operating dynamics of a heatpump with a programmable thermostat (Honeywell). Currently it’s programmed to keep the heat down at 50 degrees during the day, 66 degrees at dusk, and 60 degrees at bedtime. I don’t have the emergency heat setting selected either. This thermostat monitors temperature rise and will only turn on the emergency heating element if the temperature isn’t rising at some predetermined level. I’ve more used to a gas furnace with fairly instant heat and my quandary is basically this. Is cycling the temperature like I am okay or is it better to set the temperature up to something higher than 50 degrees as far as heatpump lifespan and economic usage? Yeah my heatpump does go through the defrost cycle thing when it gets very cold out. I have no furnace though.
- Answer:Your on the right track. The heat pump is not efficient when outside temps drop to 35 degrees. At that point the oil or gas furnace should take over for the heat pump. We have programmed our system similar to yours. The temps are a personal choice. We set our day and night temps a little higher. One point of interest, colder areas must have is a defrost cycle on the heat pump so the pump won’t freeze up and burn out the motor. Hope this helps.
Related Posts
Categories: Furnace Questions | 
No Comments »