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jeffrey383 · Jan 3, 2009, 02:05 AM

First timer please bear with me, I have a Heil 3 ton unit outside my 1200 sq. ft. home. It was there when I moved in about 10 years ago. My heating bills have been steadily going up over the years, I figured that to natural gas prices mostly. Now there is only lukewarm air coming out of the registers and I smell gas when the unit first kicks on. Then I mention that to my fiancé, she informs me she smells gas outside the house. A rep from the local Gas Co. came out and said the unit is leaking internally and shut off the supply line. I am told there are stainless steel tubes in the unit that need replaced. Where exactly are they located and how difficult are they to replace? What might a pro charge to do the job? I am on limited income and have some mechanical experience. If I feel uncomfortable with it I will let a tech handle it. The tech from the gas co. said the entire unit needs replaced but the A/C works good, I think he was using a scare tactic on my fiancé to get a sale and possibly a commission out of us on a new unit. Any help will be greatly appreciated Jeff

hvac1000 · Jan 3, 2009, 03:11 AM

Any service that has to do with gas or the heatexchanger/tubes needs to be performed by a professional since there is more to it than just removing the old which may prove difficult to installing the new and making adjustments to the unit.

The unit is 10 years old for sure and probably older than that. It might be time to invest in a more efficient unit since the gas bills are so high.

As far as costs go they are different all over this country so the best thing you can do is get a price from a local company to be sure of a exact cost. I might also remind you to get at least 2 or 3 prices/bids from different companys so you can make a informed decission. The unit you have is unsafe to use now so form of alternative SAFE heat will be needed until the unit is replaced or repaired.

MarkwithaK · Jan 3, 2009, 10:05 AM

Originally Posted by jeffrey383

....I am told there are stainless steel tubes in the unit that need replaced. Where exactly are they located and how difficult are they to replace? What might a pro charge to do the job?

If you are referring to the heat exchanger then your best bet is to replace the entire furnace.

Originally Posted by jeffrey383

The tech from the gas co. said the entire unit needs replaced but the A/C works good, I think he was using a scare tactic on my fiance to get a sale and possibly a commission out of us on a new unit.

Doubtful. If the heat exchanger is cracked then the best way to go is to replace the furnace as a whole. Maybe it's different in your area but I have not known a utility company to sell or even install furnaces.

jeffrey383 · Jan 4, 2009, 11:43 AM

Wow! I didn't expect answers so fast. Thanks so much for the input and advise. My brother hooked me up with an HVAC guy that replaced the big fan motor on the outside of unit back in the summer. He called and told me he was busy but has another HVAC guy that is supposed to come out Monday. I'll let y'all know how it works out. TKS again!