Discussions

Just wondering if anyone has any recommendations for someone on a tight budget... My furnace is only 5 years old or so and last November it broke down the motor and igniter switch was replaced by a company here who charged an arm and a leg for 1400.00 for Total maybe an hour work. Now my furnace is broke down again. It was working this am and now it won't even start, my house is cold and the filter was clean. So any ideas for someone who is cheap and good?

My gas furnace went down, called mb hydro and they sent out their service guy, paid for the parts only. No service fees

if your furnace is only 5 years old(this year) and it broke down last year it should still be under warranty. A motor for a furnace is atleast $500+ .... Igniter is cheap but your also paying for labour so 1400 does not seem that steep of price as your getting a specialty "gas plumber" in to fix your situation. But like I said if your furnace is only 5 years old you should have contacted who ever installed it.

You said your furnace won't start. Try changing the batteries in your thermostat. Cheapest point to start. Also if there is a red shut off switch in the hiuse(stairway) it may have been accidentally turned off.

so turn it as low as it can go and then set to 70 or whatever temperature you desire. Call Hydro and they can come and have a look to see what the problem is. If they can't fix it today they will at least provide heaters for your comfort.  
 
Yes if the furnace is only 5 years old someone owes your a new one.

GoWheatiesGo said "if your furnace is only 5 years old(this year) and it broke down last year it should still be under warranty. A motor for a furnace is atleast $500+ .... Igniter is cheap but your also paying for labour so 1400 does not seem that steep of price as your getting a specialty "gas plumber" in to fix your situation. But like I said if your furnace is only 5 years old you should have contacted who ever installed it. "

Well my motor was over 800 plus labor and vehicle charge and the igniter was over 250 plus same charges. Because the motor was replaced first then 2 days later the other part broke down, so I had to repay for all fees instead of a one time thing. Also I had just bought this house last November , and the parts I have have no more warranty. But thanks to those who provided great tips, it seems as though my thermostat is running well and my hydro is coming today to take a look at it!

Turns out mb hydro says the furnace is fine it has to do with wiring from it to my panel box. There is power in the breaker but none somewhere inbetween. Any suggestions for a good cheaper electrician or someone who is retired who could just take a look and double check that it is in fact the wiring! Thanks!!!

really? haven't we learned?  
for good you pay $$$.  
for cheap you get $hi!

Pecan said "Turns out mb hydro says the furnace is fine it has to do with wiring from it to my panel box. There is power in the breaker but none somewhere inbetween. Any suggestions for a good cheaper electrician or someone who is retired who could just take a look and double check that it is in fact the wiring! Thanks!!! "

is probably right in his diagnosis. We had the same problem, twice and were told twice it was the breaker. Called in an electrician and got a new breaker. You should feel confident that the Hydro guy knows his stuff!

Pecan glad you tried that route this time hope it works out well for you

Just curious, am I reading it correctly that you can call MB Hydro and have them come out and fix your furnace if it's broken and only pay for parts? If so, that's good to know, but why would anyone pay for a plumber to do it then?

allice said "Just curious, am I reading it correctly that you can call MB Hydro and have them come out and fix your furnace if it's broken and only pay for parts? If so, that's good to know, but why would anyone pay for a plumber to do it then? "

No charge labour service for problems with natural gas equipment.  
 
A no charge labour service is available to all residential and small commercial natural gas customers for problems with primary space and water heating appliances, and gas ranges.  
 
Repairs related to gas supply and combustion are completed at no charge, except for replacement parts and these costs are applied to your monthly gas bill.  
For other problems such as fan motors, fan belts or heat exchangers, which are not related to the gas supply and combustion, contact a licensed plumbing and heating dealer of your choice to complete the repairs.  
When experiencing natural gas equipment problems contact:  
 
Your local Manitoba Hydro office or call 1-888-624-9376.  
We respond to all safety-related service requests regardless of the type of appliance.  
 
https://www.hydro.mb.ca/accounts_and_services/permits_and_inspections/index.shtml

Pecan said "Turns out mb hydro says the furnace is fine it has to do with wiring from it to my panel box. There is power in the breaker but none somewhere inbetween. Any suggestions for a good cheaper electrician or someone who is retired who could just take a look and double check that it is in fact the wiring! Thanks!!! "

First off, that is not possible. The furnace is on its' own circuit. Cable is connected directly from the breaker to the furnace.  
 
That leaves two possibilities. Wiring in the furnace has come disconnected. That is possible, but, the Hydro guy would have seen that.  
 
The other possibility is that the breaker has failed. Breakers do fail. Doesn't matter that it is set to ON, they just do not work. So, change the wording. Change "at" the breaker to "to" the breaker.  
 
This is not something the average person should mess with. To find out where the power is, all you need is a volt metre, and knowing what you are doing.