An Ohio HVAC technician discovered that a furnace installed by a homeowner's nephew was blowing exhaust fumes into the house.
The installation was so flawed that, by the technician's account, few major components were unaffected.
Here's what to know
In a Reddit post, the technician described the installation at a home in southern Ohio alongside several photos of the faulty furnace. Although the equipment was presented as new, its condition raised doubts.
The technician reported missing drains and kinked refrigerant lines. The gas, electrical, and ductwork connections were faulty, too.
They said the exhaust vent was "straight up blowing fumes into this old man's house."
For homeowners considering replacement, professionally upgrading heating and cooling equipment is one of the best ways to save on utility bills and protect against rising energy prices. Palmetto can help homeowners understand their HVAC options and reduce energy bills with newer, more efficient HVACs and heat pumps. Its Comfort Plan network helps homeowners find heating and cooling solutions and connects them with vetted installers.
More background
In this case, a failed transformer had left the furnace unable to run, which the technician said was the reason for the initial service call.
Signs of prior use made the technician skeptical of the equipment's backstory. In a reply, they said it had been described to them as an old furnace purchased secondhand but supposedly still in its box.
Crushed by your bills? See instant solar savings from vetted installers in just a few clicks With energy prices through the roof, there's never been a better time to go solar — and EasyHome can help you find the best prices from the best installers in your area. EasyHome takes the guesswork and headaches out of energy upgrades by showing you estimated savings from a network of vetted local partners. To get started, just enter your ZIP and share a few details about your home — seeing your estimate is really that easy. |
Possible carbon monoxide exposure concerned the technician, who said the homeowner had been ill and hospitalized.
"You know it's kind of amazing more people don't die from this kind of stuff," one commenter wrote.
What can be done?
The technician said they got the furnace running safely and intended to address every problem, with the homeowner's daughter able to pay for the repairs.
For homeowners not ready to spend up front, Palmetto's Comfort Plan includes $0-down options that can lower heating and cooling costs by up to 50%. Palmetto Comfort Plans also include 12 years of free maintenance.
Homeowners can pair solar panels with electric appliances, including efficient HVACs, to drive utility costs even lower. EasyHome makes it easy to compare options and find the best solar panel system and installer for a homeowner's home and budget.
The technician closed with an emphatic warning, writing, "Homeowners don't DIY an install it's not worth your life."
Where can I learn more?
Faulty furnace installations can expose homeowners to exhaust fumes and a myriad of other problems.
• A homeowner discovered a loose furnace flue after AC work and was warned against running it.
• A Philadelphia homeowner received a $4,900 furnace quote after carbon monoxide testing, prompting calls for further checks.
• A Pennsylvania homeowner's supposedly code-compliant furnace installation drew warnings over a flex gas line.
Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.
