Heating repair question

[goofygirl]

I figured someone here may be a heating tech, or married or related to one, or have had one do a recent repair, and may know something.

My heater just runs until I power it off. No matter how I move the thermostat it won't shut off. I already had the thermostat replaced , and it still does this, so this leads me to believe something in the heater is malfunctioning and won't shut off when "told". It works ok otherwise , but its a pain to have to turn the power switch on and off when a thermostat is supposed to be doing the job of putting it on and off. I have gas heat but its put on by an electric switch.


So...how much does heating repair run? I have not had a heater fixed in decades. Does this sound like something minor (and hopefully not too expensive)?

 

[gallaj0]

Sounds like there is a relay bad in the heater; the thermostat closes the relay, which carries the electricity for the fan (or pump if you have baseboard heat) and starts the burner. If it's a newer unit, it can probably be replaced. If it's an older unit, you may have trouble getting parts, or it may not be replaceable.

Have someone take a look, it should be pretty easy to diagnose by looking at it, there's really no other way to determine where in the electric circuit the problem is happening.

 

[FroggyinArk]

relay stuck sounds right, or a broken thermostat wire, I would defiunately call a repair man, because a gas heater running constantly can and will over heat some of the electric motors and things and may become a fire hazzard. service call will range from 40 bucks to 150 depending on location. Thats a lot true, but much cheeper than a case of carbon monoxide poisoning, a house fire or a total system failure.

 

[Tiggeroo]

dh does this. He's still doing some calls but when he gets in I"ll ask him. I'm inclined to say relay switch too. If that's what it is and you call tonight expect to pay 130. for call, maybe 70. for part. I wish I knew the name of some honest contractors in philly. Maybe dh does, i'll ask him that too. Are you right in the city or a suburb? Do you have somebody handy in your house. If my dh told him what to do, and it was fairly simple repair could they do it?

 

[goofygirl]

Thanks everyone.


Tiggeroo, I am in the city, greater NE Phila. I use Phila Gas Works , they have a Parts and Labor Plan but I never bought it because I wasn't sure if it was worth it. I don't know too many handy people, unfortunately, but I am asking around at work because I am sure someone will know a good heating repair person/handyperson.