Today, I had my regular heating oil company come out and do the yearly cleaning and maintenance on my oil furnace. My oil furnace is a very old Rheem that has lasted 30 years. The service man told me that I have a cracked heat exchanger and that I need a new furnace. He 'RED TAGGED" it and disconnected it but I can still use the central A/C. He did not even mention replacing the heat exchanger due to the fact that the parts for this unit are obsolete. Last year they had to actually make an electrode for the furnace to even work.

Here is the issue I have. I have a home warranty through American HomeShield and even though I already have a written statement from my own service man, they need to have a company that does warranty work for "THEM" come out and give them the final diagnosis. Their serviceman will want to see my servicemans' paperwork, so, at least I have some leverage.

My issue is that I have heard horror stories about American HomeShield (AHS) and how they try to get away with not paying for replacements on any covered item and, instead, repair. I am concerned now because my own serviceman basically has 'condemned' my unit and I am now at the mercy of AHS decision. The work order for AHS to get someone out here was done early this afternoon and I have yet to hear from the company that is assigned. I live in PA and have maybe 2 months until the winter sets in. I am concerned whether they will nickel and dime my old unit putting me and my family at risk for CO poisoning insteading of doing the right thing and replacing the furnace. Any Thoughts?

There should not be a heat exc available for that old of a unit. So there should be no way for them to fix it. It the furnace covered in your plan? Does it cover old age or just break downs?

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Originally Posted by Joshdta

There should not be a heat exc avalable for that old of a unit. So there should be no way for them to fix it. It the furnace covered in your plan?? Does it cover old age or just break downs??

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The furnace is a covered part under the heating system in my contract. It is covered if it becomes inoperative due to normal wear and tear and if it is properly maintained throughout the term of the contract for proper diagnosis. I am not worried about this because I have service records for every year I have had a contract with them. And if I did not keep up with maintenance, my unit would never have lasted this long.

It also says that the covered components as well as the plenum, indoor electrical and duct connections are also covered when AHS determines that upgrading a heating system is required to maintain compatibility with equipment manufacturered to be 13 SEER and 7.7 HSPF compliant.

I am just concerned because of the stories I have heard about AHS service contractors.

Simple question:

Once a home heating system (oil forced air) is RED TAGGED and disabled by a licensed HVAC serviceman (cracked heat exchanger & heater is 30+ yrs. Old) can it be put back into service?

I am concerned because I have a warranty with American HomeShield and their service contractors are known to take short cuts in putting out money for any covered appliances, let alone a new furnace which is what I was told I need.

Nope... unless you want to die.

And that WILL happen as you will get Carbon Monoxide in your house. Its red tagged over very seroius safety issues. If the worthless insurance won't pay then you will have to. Electric space heaters are not a cheap alternative.

Repairs IF parts are available can sometimes cost more than a new unit. With 30 year old units that is usually the case.

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Originally Posted by smoothy

Nope....unless you want to die.

And that WILL happen as you will get Carbon Monoxide in your house. Its red tagged over very seroius safety issues. If the worthless insurance won't pay then you will have to. Electric space heaters are not a cheap alternative.

Repairs IF parts are availible can sometimes cost more than a new unit. With 30 year old units that is usually the case.

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Thank you, for the only alternative if for some reason the warranty co. gives me problems or their service contractor is to show them the written report from MY serviceman (who was the one who red tagged it) or go to local authorities. I would hope then, the warranty co. would be more submissive rather than deal with local government.

Just for the record, I also live in a townhome community so it is just not me that would be in danger.

Many places and particularly Condos and townhome communities prohibit kerosene heaters for the reason you pointed out... others would be effected if an accident occurs, Electric heat is the most expensive alternative (get ready for VERY high electric bills) for the short term but even that poses a risk, improper placement of the heaters and other items placed in proximity causes many fires and death every year.

Personally, there are some things you can put off, and others that you really need to knuckle down and fix right away.

A few of those to get fixed the right way, The Roof is one... the Heating system is another. (there are more, not just those two) Unless you live in an area where you arely need the heat. But if that was the case you wouldn't have an oil furnace.

I've done work for AHS, never had a problem, and I didn't cut any corners.
Some Service people get desperate and try to generate work, I don't know if that's what he tried to do.
If the one who red tagged it is the same person who will fix it, I would question it.

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Originally Posted by Stratmando

I've done work for AHS, never had a problem, and I didn't cut any corners.
Some Service people get desperate and try to generate work, I don't know if thats what he tried to do.
If the one who red tagged it is the same person who will fix it, I would question it.

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And that IS a good point.

It might be worth a few bucks to pay a different tech (from a different company) to verify that the first guys claims are actually valid on job of this magnitude.

Just like getting a second opinion from another doctor before getting surgery.

Worst case you are out the money for guy#2's verification and find guy #1 was being honest in the first place and really do need a new furnace.

Best case you will find out nothing was wrong at all and Guy #1 tried to sell you something you really didn't need yet. But be honest with yourself too, 30 years means it is due, if not now then soon... and a new one will be more efficient than the old one.

Well, I am totally disgisted with what is going on here and please be patient with me as I explain;

My regualr serviceman red tagged my furnace and this was done w/o any diagnostic tests done. I had the warranty company's (American HomeShield aka; AHS) service contractor come out because the furnace is a covered item. He was here for 2+ hours and I was there with him the whole time while he explained things to me and did the CO tests and draft meter tests in front of me. He took a small snake lite with a camera on the end of it and went through the whole heat exchanger and found no cracks! He also accessed it through the top and put his arm all the way into the unit up to his shoulder coming out looking like he was in a coal mine! All tests were normal! He also said that parts, such as electrodes, are available for my burner whereas my regualr serviceman said they were obsolete and they would have to be made.

Now, after all that drama, I called my regular oil company who sent the serviceman out who red tagged my unit. I explained to them what happened and they said they have total confidence in their service personnel and their diagnostic abilities, etc, etc. and that once it is red tagged, they will not service that unit. I continued to complain and they are finally getting the service manager to come out this afternoon to check everything out. I am also getting a 2nd opinion by AHS getting another one of their service contractors out here.

I just cannot believe all the *%#& I am going through!

Not to be a smart a**, what is your question?

I certainly understand your frustration, try dealing with Verizon sometime.

Did the service rep from your normal company tell you why he "red tagged" the furnace, as he is required to do?

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Originally Posted by donf

Not to be a smart a**, what is your question?

I certainly understand your frustration, try dealing with Verizon sometime.

Did the service rep from your normal company tell you why he "red tagged" the furnace, as he is required to do?

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Yes, the supervisor of my regular heating co. came out to verify that his serviceman was correct in red tagging my unit. The computer reading came out as follows:

WITH FAN OFF: WITH FAN ON:

O2 7.6% O2 9.0%
CO 21ppm CO 31ppm
Eff 79.3% Eff 71.8%
CO2 9.9% CO2 8.9%

My service company did not have to do this for me knowing that they will not profit from me needing a new furnace because I have a home warranty. The warranty companies serviceman denied that I need a furnace and therefore, the warranty company is sending out another technician tomorrow for a 2nd opinion. The diagnosis MUST be made by one of their contracted technicians. But the above readout by my companies supervisor will help, I am hoping when the new technician comes tomorrow.

Aren't there codes or local enforcement agencies or township laws that forbid the use of such units if they have been red tagged? I live in a townhome community and if there is CO in my home it can go through the other residences. Can the technicians who told me that my unit is OK even though I have proof it is not be liable or fined?

I don't know which tech is right, I Would get a Carbon Monoxide/Gas Leak Detector(s).
Good Luck, RipOff service people is one of the reasons I am here.

Well, I can honestly say that it is a bittersweet ending to all this drama. After 3 different heating companies sending out 4 different servicemen AND it took 4 days, finally found 2 cracks in the heat exchanger (which he showed me), AHS finally approved the new furnace BUT I will need a new chimney liner (which of course is not covered). Serviceman showed me the deteriorated terra cotta and hairline crack in chimney.

I have learned my lesson with AHS and will never renew my contract with them.

Thanks for the help!

Thanks for the updates. This was indeed a very interesting thread.

Well, at least you do know tech #1 was actually thorough and did his job... that really was a potientualy life threatening problem. Honestly... you know who to call and who not to call now in the future. I'd avoid the people that didn't find the cracks. What else might they miss too.

THe Chimney liner thing is fairly common. Escpecially when you replace a furnace with a high efficiency unit. Even if there is no damage to the liner.