Furnace Repair – For The Birds

Boise Furnace Repair

Last week I had a customer call me up on Sunday with a no heat furnace repair.  He is a good guy and I have known him for awhile now.  So I am aware he knows his way around maintenance.  He had already traced the problem to the pressure switch not closing.  The pressure switch is a safety device that closes when the combustion motor is pushing enough air through the flue.  He had said when he bypassed the pressure switch he could get everything to start and run.  He also said that when he did that he could smell fumes pretty bad.  After about 3 phone calls back and forth checking different things such as  a clogged port, flue pipe, and pressure switch hose.  I decided he should keep the furnace off for safety reasons and have me check it on Monday morning.

When I arrived Monday morning I had found everything he had said and checked was correct. The pressure switch was good but would not close.  When I ran the furnace the flames rolled out of the cabinet and you could smell the fumes filling up the room.  With further investigation I found that a bird (a rather large one) had somehow gotten into the flue pipe.  The bird crawled down into the furnace and got stuck.  This bird was completely blocking the flue pipe so the exhaust would not pass through the pipe.  We cleared the bird and checked the rest of the furnace to find everything working well.  Instructed him to install some chicken wire over his chimney so no other birds could visit him.

Conclusion

The reason why this was able to happen is that when the previous company had installed his basement furnace they used an old fireplace chimney to run the exhaust flue and did not run the pipe to the roof and place a cap on it.  This left the pipe open allowing leaves, bugs and yes birds to fall down inside and cause this furnace repair.  So now you know why this was a furnace repair for the birds.

If you are in need of a furnace repair in the Meridian, and Boise Idaho area please give us a call.  with over 32 years experience and over 16 years serving the Treasure Valley we have the experience and knowledge needed to locate the issues fast and with a lower cost than most others out there. Even if it is just a bird!  9208)938-2000

furnace repair – for the birds