What Do You Guys Do When You Need Boiler/Furnace Service?

Post by **Rob R.** » Thu. Jan. 02, 2014 1:52 pm

NJJoe wrote:
Richard S. wrote:Fortunately there isn't a whole lot to break and if something does break it's mechanical. Anybody with some mechanical skill can usually fix just about anything even if they never have seen a boiler before. Matter of fact if you were given the choice between a car mechanic and plumber that has never worked on coal boilers you're probably better off with the mechanic. Issues that are directly related to the water side of it is just like any other boiler so for that you'd want a plumber.
I would tend to agree with you. I'm basing this primarily off of the EFM 520 boiler (the boiler that I like the most after considering my options and the one I will probably install) and it does seem like a pretty straight-forward boiler with mechanical controls that are understandable. I don't have a 520 but through reading this forum, reading the manuals and viewing youtube videos I think I have a reasonable understanding of it.

If you are comfortable doing basic automotive repair, you can maintain and service a stoker. In my earlier response I didn't mean to imply that it was too difficult for most technicians, but the fact is that very few HVAC guys have experience with coal and when they hear that word, they automatically refuse to work on it. Anyone that can thread pipe or sweat copper can handle the "wet side" of things, but they do need to follow the company's guidelines for piping. Controls are very similar to an oil unit, if they can follow a wiring diagram they will do fine. Properly adjusting the fire does require some judgement, but the EFM manual and this forum has good instructions. Speaking of the manual...I have lost count of the number of people that come on this forum with issues that are completely correctable by simply following the manual's instructions. Read the manual, ask questions, use common sense...and you will do fine.

When you get ready to buy a boiler, buy it from someone that will take the time to show you how to service it, how to change a shear pin, how to clean it, etc. If you are buying a refurbished unit, the seller should be happy to show you what has been replaced.

I do suggest that you learn to do basic plumbing, wiring, etc by yourself. It really helps if an expansion tank starts to leak or a circulator quits on Christmas morning and no one else answers the phone.

whistlenut · Post by **whistlenut** » Thu. Jan. 02, 2014 5:37 pm

Hey Sting..........did you have an 'unusual childhood?'...... teen years?.......military issues?......You kill me!!!!!!!!! What happened to the hottie? Is she downstairs with the heating expert? I miss her already!

Sting · Post by **Sting** » Fri. Jan. 03, 2014 7:35 am

Unusual ???

It Depends on your view of the usual -- oh the "hottie" she left me when the money ran out

Short Bus · Post by **Short Bus** » Sat. Jan. 04, 2014 12:35 am

Now is the time to sit on the edge of the bed and cry!

Post by **Lightning** » Sat. Jan. 04, 2014 7:20 am

Nobody put 2 and 2 together??? What happened to Sting's hottie is evident to me.

SMITTY · Post by **SMITTY** » Sat. Jan. 04, 2014 7:36 am

Sting wrote:...... -- oh the "hottie" she left me when the money ran out

Yeah, they do that .... at least the crazy northern ones do anyway.

Wiz · Post by **Wiz** » Sat. Jan. 04, 2014 7:55 am

dido on doing it yourself

stovepipemike · Post by **stovepipemike** » Sat. Jan. 04, 2014 9:16 am

You read, you think and then you act using the following criteria: if it can get you wet or scald you, if it can be loosened or tightened, if it has to be moved or cemented in place, if sorrowful flapping creatures need to be removed from it, if electrical readings have to be taken and analysed, if it has to be oiled or greased, if it has to be vacuumed, cleaned, or polished, you do all that yourself . Help is available right on this forum by some pretty bright guys. Of course if you have to program some of the latest space age items , you have to ask a grandson or a 10 year old neighbor kid. Mike

Carbon12 · Post by **Carbon12** » Sat. Jan. 04, 2014 9:19 am

Yup. Best to learn to do it yourself. When I bought my stoker, I had never seen one burning in person. Read all I could here and asked questions. Got it up, running and dialed in in no time.

Flyer5 · Post by **Flyer5** » Sun. Jan. 05, 2014 11:50 am

Sting wrote:Unusual ???

It Depends on your view of the usual -- oh the "hottie" she left me when the money ran out

Sting you always have very informative posts or get a good chuckle from me here. BTW how do you get coffee from a keyboard?

Vampiro · Post by **Vampiro** » Sun. Jan. 05, 2014 1:53 pm

I do the work myself. I have friends that help out too, and some are licensed plumbers. So they make sure everything will be good, and offer tips and advice before hand. That is always a plus. I cut, threaded, and sweated all of the pipes on the boiler except for one section that a friend did.

I'm used to dealing with 13+ kv, but prefer to leave the house stuff to the electrician.

Any system requires hands on if you do it yourself. Coal, wood, pellets, etc are more involved. If you wish to have your boiler serviced, look up people in your area to see if they service coal. Ask questions, because you can find out right away if they are bs ing you.

If you don't like taking out ash, I suggest you have an auger installed under the ash pit that discharges the ash into an ash can outside. Then you could just move the pail from the side of the house to the curb.

You could light it, and rely on a service person to care for your boiler, but it will cost you more than if you did it yourself, though you might feel the extra service and piece of mind is worth it.

Coal is an awesome way to heat. So good luck to you. Don't forget to check out Axeman Anderson, EFM and Keystoker. I'd recommend Axeman Anderson.