The furnace is about 50 years old the serviceman said. It had almost caught on fire at Christmas. Smoke was pouring out of the basement. I had to manually shut it down . it smelled like hot fuel so bad. the serviceman got it running again but he said there isn't much more he could do; it's seen its day. Its been running since but when it starts up it really smells like fuel oil. It is in the basement and I can smell it on the first floor. Enough at times I open the door. It is costing between 700 to 800 a month in heating oil to keep my house at 62 degrees. Is it overloading? I rent and my landlord says as long as it runs thats all he has to do.Is this right? I asked when I moved in about heating costs. And was told it wasn't a problem to worry about. It did not use much. In the summer it uses about 50 to 75 gallons a month just to do dishes and get a shower. I was not told this. Maybe to him its not alot of money but it is to me.I really just want it replaced. Any suggestions.
If you have no air circulation from furnace then the blower (forces air through the system) isn't working and blower fans are generally electrical. Unless you have a boiler furnace there should be no connection between the furnace and the water heater. If water heater is electrical then the only similar problems is perhaps the electrical system. When serviced what did they do, and can you call them back for NOT fixing it. May be an electrical reset button for furnace and the furnace WON'T blow up when pressed. There are also reset buttons on your water heater under the access panels.
If the furnace is a fire hazard the local fire or building inspector will force the landlord to replace it or they'll shut him down as far as renting until it is. They will be listed in your local phone book. Report it as soon as possible. Most landlord/Tenant Acts require the landlord to maintain the property in a safe livable condition. Your's isn't!!!
I would find a new place to live. With oil at over$4.00 a gal you will be spending 3 to 4 hundred in the summer just for hot water.
Sounds like the heat exchanger needs to be cleaned out. It's really inefficient when it's sooted up. Something is plugged up. Doesn't sound like the serviceman did a proper job. It doesn't matter how old it is it should be able to operate without doing that. Tell your landlord that it isn't working properly and request to have another technician out. Get a carbon monoxide detector for your own safety. It's just a matter of time before it backs up again.
