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Siren77
LIF Adolescent
Member since 9/09 828 total posts
Name:
Siren77
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How much maintenance is required for gas heat?
We are definitely converting to gas. We've had several estimates and have been hearing conflicting things about maintenance. One company said that you don't need maintenance and you just call if you have a problem. You don't need a yearly cleaning. Another company said you HAVE to have a service contract. I know people get contracts for peace of mind but what has been your experience?
Thanks! Also any recommendations for companies would be appreciated!
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Posted 1/6/12 5:37 PM  |
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CindySN23
Stop, Think & Breathe...
Member since 8/11 3550 total posts
Name:
Cindy
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Re: How much maintenance is required for gas heat?
We just did a conversion in October...we dont have a service contract...we came from a home that had gas heat with no service contract and no yearly cleaning...some companies try to sell you the extras but they arent needed...we used burner king...they were a pain to contact and schedule but the guys doing the work are good...they gave us the best price as well.
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| Posted 1/6/12 6:53 PM |
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LSP2005
Bunny kisses are so cute!
Member since 5/05 19461 total posts
Name:
L
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Re: How much maintenance is required for gas heat?
You need to change the filter 4 times a year. You can do it yourself. It is extremely easy. You just need to know the correct size your particular unit needs. You can get them at a hardware store.
Message edited 1/6/2012 9:40:52 PM.
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| Posted 1/6/12 9:39 PM |
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dajc23
My Loves :)
Member since 1/09 4980 total posts
Name:
Dana
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Re: How much maintenance is required for gas heat?
DH said there's no maintenance with gas heat. He's installed many systems and said there's no upkeep at all really. Call service if an issue should come up.
He always recommends gas heat to everyone. Much easier way to heat your home.
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| Posted 1/6/12 10:09 PM |
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Karen
Just chillin'!!
Member since 1/06 9690 total posts
Name:
Karen
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Re: How much maintenance is required for gas heat?
Posted by dajc23
DH said there's no maintenance with gas heat. He's installed many systems and said there's no upkeep at all really. Call service if an issue should come up.
He always recommends gas heat to everyone. Much easier way to heat your home.
Agreed. We have been in our home 3.5 years and only had an issue once - the pilot light would not stay lit. Called a plumber, and issue was fixed in 10 minutes.
I  gas heat!
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| Posted 1/7/12 7:26 AM |
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GoldenRod
10 years on LIF!
Member since 11/06 26792 total posts
Name:
Shawn
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Re: How much maintenance is required for gas heat?
We've had gas heat for 15+ years. We had to call someone in once in all that time.
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| Posted 1/7/12 8:07 AM |
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BsMomma2014
Fly high little one
Member since 6/10 2662 total posts
Name:
nicole
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Re: How much maintenance is required for gas heat?
Posted by dajc23
DH said there's no maintenance with gas heat. He's installed many systems and said there's no upkeep at all really. Call service if an issue should come up.
He always recommends gas heat to everyone. Much easier way to heat your home.
I agree 100% plus it is so much less expensive to use
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| Posted 1/7/12 8:10 AM |
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Erica
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 11767 total posts
Name:
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Re: How much maintenance is required for gas heat?
love gas!
but please clean your ducts every 1-3 years. we didn't know about this. we just called someone b/c my son is sick and we had black mold in our ducts!! and thick dust mite poop!
we've been here 6.5 years...I don't know if the last homeowners did it.
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| Posted 1/7/12 9:20 AM |
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GoldenRod
10 years on LIF!
Member since 11/06 26792 total posts
Name:
Shawn
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Re: How much maintenance is required for gas heat?
Posted by Erica
love gas!
but please clean your ducts every 1-3 years. we didn't know about this. we just called someone b/c my son is sick and we had black mold in our ducts!! and thick dust mite poop!
we've been here 6.5 years...I don't know if the last homeowners did it.
If you ask 10 professionals about this, you'll get a dozen different responses. Some experts say not to disturb the ducts, as it will release more mold spores into the air. Some say it's necessary to remove contaminants, and others say it makes no difference at all.
The EPA says to only clean them if there is an obvious reason to: http://epa.gov/iaq/pubs/airduct.html
Since the EPA in the one article says that there are definite reasons TO clean (if you have visible mold), and they say NOT to have it cleaned routinely "EPA does not recommend that the air ducts be cleaned routinely, but only as needed.", and they also say for most people, it doesn't really make any difference, everyone can quote the same article, and have 3 very different opinions on the same thing.
For you, though, you definitely fall in the "clean" category, since there are physical symptoms, and visible black mold.
Message edited 1/7/2012 11:40:59 AM.
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| Posted 1/7/12 11:40 AM |
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mrssoto
LIF Adolescent
Member since 5/10 833 total posts
Name:
Lorin
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Re: How much maintenance is required for gas heat?
I had posted something similiar the other day (about service contracts) but in any case, we have gas now...very happy with it but I would like to have a service contract. I just feel more comfortable having one. Issue is on long island that national grid, your gas provider does not offer service at all (I asked). Plumbers usually don't and if you didn't buy your stuff brand new from a place like Sears, I dont know where to get a contract from.... with that said, I'm still happy with Gas. i grew up having oil and it seemed like a pain for my mom to deal with
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| Posted 1/7/12 11:51 AM |
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Erica
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 11767 total posts
Name:
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Re: How much maintenance is required for gas heat?
Posted by GoldenRod
If you ask 10 professionals about this, you'll get a dozen different responses. Some experts say not to disturb the ducts, as it will release more mold spores into the air. Some say it's necessary to remove contaminants, and others say it makes no difference at all.
The EPA says to only clean them if there is an obvious reason to: http://epa.gov/iaq/pubs/airduct.html
Thank you for this...It has eased my guilt a bit!
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| Posted 1/7/12 1:37 PM |
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PhyllisNJoe
My Box Is Broken
Member since 6/11 9145 total posts
Name:
Phyllis
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Re: How much maintenance is required for gas heat?
I'm jealous I want to switch to gas so bad but according to National Grid the closest house to my with gas is 266 feet away and it will cost us $11K just to bring the line to our house :( Boooooo
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| Posted 1/7/12 4:15 PM |
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livdrl112
LIF Infant
Member since 1/11 348 total posts
Name:
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Re: How much maintenance is required for gas heat?
The key question is do you have Forced Air or Hot water heating to go with the gas heat? If it's Forced Air, the furnace needs filter changed/cleaned once in a while and the ducts cleaned as dust does accumulate.
However, if you have hot water baseboards/radiators there is really no maintenance. We had the maintenance guy come out when we initially bought the house 5yrs ago and he said the same thing-there is no annual maintenance needed.
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| Posted 1/8/12 10:13 AM |
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