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gas furnace installation was a DIY after all
QUESTION:I just thought to tell everyone about a successful major project I
did. It might help people with the same project in the NW area.
Last September I was just begining to check and see if I can convert
from oil heat to natural gas. I posted a messge asking about
instructional video and books. I had a few replies telling me that
there is no such thing and it is not a DIY project. They were all
correct. There is no such thing. I learned that every situation is
different. At first I was overwelmed by the amount of information and
the difficulty of the project. I was about to quit and have someone
do it. However, I searched in local area (portland, Oregon) and found
this company that helps people install their own heating and air
conditioning system. you see, Oregon is one of the few states that let
the homeowner be their own contractor. With the help of "Do it
yourself heating and air condtioning" I was able to design and pick
the system I need for the house, order the parts, check and apply all
the codes. It took me a little while but finnaly I got the high
efficiency furnace and the hot water heater running in February. I
passed all the mechanical, electrical and plumbing inspections by the
city. It is truly a world of difference between gas and oil heat. It
was worth the trouble.
Cost savings for the project was about $2500.
ANSWER: Didn't you read how his installation passed all the local inspections
and codes? Most of the above factors would have been checked during
the inspection, at least in my area.
I've installed about a half dozen boilers and furnaces on my
properties going back up to 20 years. I've yet to have a problem.
In my area, oftentimes the only difference between many good amateurs
and the pros is that one of them does it for a living.
I've seen too many "pros" do as much shoddy work as have "amateurs".
I'm talking licensed "pros". In fact, too many pros are in a hurry to
quickly rush thru the job without taking time to think. Too many rely
upon "rule-of-thumb" calculations that don't always apply.
I recently was too busy to do the repair work on one of my gas
furnaces. The "pro" I called (licensed tech) came in and replaced the
original delayed start main gas valve with a quick start one. Now the
furnace experiences constant flame roll out upon start ups.
He's argueing it's fine. I guess I'll have to redo the job myself....
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