What advice can you give re buying a new gas home heater?
October 262011
This morning heater is off again. No use to keep fixing it, and I’d like to get a new one before the really cold weather sets in. It will be a big investment for me so I want to do the right thing.
What qualities should I look for in a new heater? What questions should I ask when I start to shop? Would it be better to buy from a large retailer, like Sears, or would an independent contractor be better? Right now I’m checking the phone book for listings.
I’m asking on here as I have no one to go to for advice. Any help you can give me would be so appreciated.
I added additional details but YA is down and it didn’t go through. I guess I should have said gas furnace. Radiators are throughout house and heater (furnace?) sends hot water to them. Only thing I know for sure is that present unit has an electronic ignition so no pilot to light with match. And I know how to "bleed" the radiators at the beginning of each season to let air out of them so water can come in.
About 25+ years ago we converted from oil heat to gas heat and that’s when this furnace was installed. I was not responsible at that time for upkeep of whole house. Now that I have to do it alone, I’m at a loss on many things. Thanks for your questions. Please let me know what other information I should supply.
I have had nothing but bad experiences with sears home services. They just sub the work out to a local contractor and then when service is needed your put on a two week waiting list.
What you need is called a boiler. Most all will have pilot less ignition and be 80% efficient or better.