Pitched Furnace

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Permalink Reply by Debra Monte on December 14, 2010 at 7:51am

I am not an expert in HVAC systems, i am a Home Inspector and BPI certified Energy Auditor (BA & ES), but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize your furnace problems are most likely a result of poor installation, not just the furnace but also the with respect to the exhaust venting system.  If it is still under warranty and they have already replaced parts and you are still having all of these problems, I would insist they install a whole new unit and properly.  Otherwise, your problems will continue to worsen and all of this will effect other areas of your home, including, which it already may have, your roof and other structures.  This sounds like a bit of disaster if this is a new unit.  When was it installed?  Check the manufacturer's label/plate for a manufacture date, they may have given you an old one, or one that has been recalled.  If the date is not on it, it is usually inside the serial number.  Post it and I will try to help you with that.  You should check with Trane or the Consumer Protection Safety Commission to see if there is a problem or recall with your unit.

Permalink Reply by Bruce Gold on December 14, 2010 at 8:55am

This unit was installed 3/06.  

Model is TDY060R9V3W5

 

SN 5503JGH7G      07

 

That's what I see on the label on the side.  They have replaced the blower motor last week, coming out today to replace the inducer motor, coming out tomorrow to level the unit.

So, how do I find out if this has been a recalled or this unit has been a problem for Trane.

 

I sure appreciate all your help

 

Permalink Reply by Debra Monte on December 14, 2010 at 10:51am

Bruce,

Just in case you haven't been to the Trane website, here is the trroublshooting page  http://trane.com/Residential/Trane-Owners/Trouble-Shooting, not sure if this will be helpful.  I realize you are running out of time with your warranty and they just keep replacing parts and such.  See if you can get a new unit out of them and was it Trane that did the installation?

 

There are many folks who swear by it and have no problems with Trane, depending upon models and then many who would never buy another one.  Without being there to look at the unit and the installation of the stack vent, etc. it is hard to say anything more than the origninal installation may have been shoddy.  However, if you can't convince them to replace the entire system with a threat of reporting them and suing them, at least get them to extend the warranty.

 

FYI

If you go to the link below, and go to table G.15, you will have a better understanding of your furnace by decoding the model number.

http://www.inspectorsjournal.com/forum/uploads/Richard%20Moore/Furn...

 

This next link is the Trane info, go to page 21 for your model.  They do give extended warranties according to this site page for your model

http://www.trane.com/webcache/un/furnaces%20(furn)/product/22-2311-...

 

As far as the age of the furnace, your Trane was manufactured in 2005, because of the first character in the serial number, which is a digit (5).  Prior to 2002, they used a letter, of course they ran out of letters and started with numbers thereafter.  The following link is helpful in determining age of furnaces.

http://www.inspectapedia.com/heat/Furnace_Age.pdf

 

You should put up a vigorous fight because of all of the repairs and replacements that have been made already and perhaps you can get a new one out of them.  It is up to you if you want to pay a separate HVAC specialist to evaluate your system including the vent and the installation of the entire system.  You could use that against the company, depending on the findings.  The key is also to ensure that the unit is safe to run and that you are not risking CO emissions into your home.  The essential part of the system is the heat exchanger, which should be fully evaluated and tested since there have been so many problems.

This should be a high efficiency furnace and I would definitely have the specialist check the efficiency of the unit as well.

You can check with the Consumer Safety Product Commission for recalls and such:

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prerel.html

 

Good luck.  Hope you get some satisfaction and that this helps.

 

 

 

 

Permalink Reply by Bruce Gold on December 14, 2010 at 11:04am

Thanks Debra,

When I bought the furnace, I originally purchased an 80XL with delivery the next day.  They showed up and said they couldn't find any in the stock so they gave me a 90 VX for the same price.  

 

Yep, it was a very poor installation and I have the Trane rep who is helping me keeping these guys on the right path.  I also know he is keeping in touch with someone really high up at Trane and keeping them informed about the progress.  

 

It's very apparent to me that the install company has different  views on how to install this as opposed to what Trane is telling them exactly what to do.

 

I appreciate all your help and have seen most of the sights you have suggested and can't find any recall on the model or product.  But you sound like you really know what you're doing and probably could get me a new furnace...so what would it take for me to get you to Chicago?