Cleaning a heater

[hahathor.livejournal.com]

So Nstar just changed my gas meter & they noted that my tenants' heater is letting off C0(2). Not enough to be immediately dangerous, but enough that they suggest I have someone look at it and clean it. Any suggestions for a good contractor to do this would be appreciated.

Comments

[ron_newman]

I thought CO2 was a normal byproduct of burning any fossil fuel? Did NStar actually mean CO (carbon monoxide)?

[hahathor.livejournal.com]

Maybe - I got this third hand from my tenant, who was the one who actually talked to the Nstar guy. In any event, I remember getting the heaters cleaned when I first moved in & haven't since, so it's probably not a bad idea to do it. I'm just not quite sure where to even begin to look to get someone to do it.

[emcicle.livejournal.com]

we usually just have the heating oil company check ours... not sure if it's different if you use gas? i suspect any of the heating oil companies in the area could do it. we use faulkner brothers.

[hahathor.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I'll contact Nstar tomorrow. Given that they're the ones who said it should be looked at, they probably either have inspectors, or information about them.

[m-b-w.livejournal.com]

If you're going with NSTAR, try to get an estimate of how much they'll charge to repair the problem and then compare to the cost of their Home Heating Protection Plans(the extended and deluxe plans include an annual check/clean that you can request during the summer months).

[surrealestate.livejournal.com]

Wow, that's a long time to go without, given that it's generally recommended as annual maintenance. Lucky that it wasn't any worse.

(I echo the rec to call NStar to start with. I've seen them get too busy with their service contracts to do any non-contract stuff during winter, though, so a back-up just in case wouldn't hurt.)

[hahathor.livejournal.com]

I called Nstar - they don't do it, nor can they tell me anyone who does. I vaguely remember going through this a while ago, and I think that's why I haven't done it since - it does strike me as odd that Nstar doesn't do it.

I guess I'll call my plumber and see if he can do it or knows anyone who can.

[clevernonsense.livejournal.com]

maybe it isn't supposed to leak in the house? Granted, the pilot light on my stove is currently makin' some.

OMG MY CAT IS ALSO LEAKING CO2

Carbon monoxide is so deadly I would kind of freak out if any was showing up in readings.

[ron_newman]

And I'd suggest getting CO detectors for both yourself and your tenant, in case you don't already have them.

[clevernonsense.livejournal.com]

Isn't that required by law, or is that just cambridge (or in my head)?

[josephineave.livejournal.com]

Required by law.

http://www.marealtor.com/content/upload/assetmgmt/documents/legal/co_for_homeowners.pdf

[hahathor.livejournal.com]

I do have them, and smoke detectors etc etc.

[mistresshellena.livejournal.com]

I had a service contract with Winters. I know people will have mixed opinions about them. They are certainly not the cheapest, but they were always prompt, did a good job, and were easy to deal with for billing arrangments as I was an out-of-state landlord.

Gas Heating

[msiebler.livejournal.com]

I just had a system installed by Daddario 2 years ago and am starting to have them clean it. They are good.