Monday, November 8, 2021

Got Any Marshmallows for Toasting?

Furnace - AFTER the Service Tech had checked!

So...the service technician was supposed to arrive between 12:00 and 2:00 p.m., but, the company called around noon and said he had been delayed and to expect him between 2:00 and 4:00 p.m.  Well, OK.

I did other stuff and had a productive day while I waited for the technician - watered the garden, put away my laundry from yesterday, washed my bedsheets and remade my bed, cleaned the counter on the pass-through between the kitchen and family room, did dishes and shined the kitchen sink, cooked a chicken curry, took the trash cans to the curb, chatted with neighbor T, paid a bill and my property taxes, and even did a couple of crossword puzzles!  

The furnace technician arrived at 4:00 p.m. and he was apparently under the impression that there was no heat.  But I said no, the problem was a delayed ignition.  Unfortunately, although my daughter and I had discussed taking a video of the furnace and what it did when we turned it on, we didn't actually do it, so, I had nothing to show the technician.  I could only describe it - I switch on the thermostat, I hear the gas flowing, and then, about 5 seconds later, a "Whoosh" and a flame shoots out!  

So, he opened the bottom grill doors and looked, and then, he turned on the heater, and OF COURSE it came on without any problem!  Twice!  Anyway, he checked again, adjusted the pilot light, he said, and we turned it on and, again, no problem!  Then, he left.  It was around 4:30 p.m.

A little after 5:00 p.m., my daughter and I went to get our flu shots.  Her appointment was at 5:30 p.m. and mine was right afterwards.  While we were at the pharmacy, I picked up some magnesium supplements as I had come to the end of my supply (I take them on my doctor's recommendation) and a jar of cold cream since I use that on my face from time to time.  

When we came home, a little after 6:00 p.m., we turned on the heater.  This time, my daughter recorded it on her phone and the picture above is a screen shot of the flame that shot out when the furnace started.  Sigh.  

We put in another service request, online.  I will call them, again, first thing in the morning.  This time, I have a video to show them, and the screen shot shown above.

It only happens sometimes, apparently, but, even sometimes is too often for my comfort!  Especially since I don't even have any marshmallows to toast!  After the initial burst of flame, the furnace works well.  We let it run until it reached the temperature set on the thermostat and when it went off, I switched it off.  I am too nervous to leave it on all night.

Needless to say, I wasn't very happy about things, but, daughter and I are counting our blessings: - the house is still standing, nothing burned down, we have our electric space heaters for the time being and plenty of blankets and quilts to keep us warm, the furnace is still under warranty, and I have the video for proof!

On a happier note, I amused myself with displaying items on the sideboard:

Empty Bowl


Potted Plant

I think it looks better with the potted plant than with the bowl.  The plant used to be on the pass-through counter and moving it to the sideboard was what triggered cleaning that counter!  I will, however, have to be very careful when I water the plant!

Today, I am grateful for:
- The house didn't blow up/catch fire/burn down, etc.
- We have a recording of what is happening with the furnace for proof!
- Health insurance
- Getting our flu vaccines 
- Having the electric space heaters as a standby

Today's joyful activity was watering the garden and enjoying the sunshine.

The biggest item on tomorrow's to do list is to call the furnace company, again!

How was your Monday?  What are your plans for Tuesday?  Anyone has any marshmallows to toast?

UPDATE:  Called the furnace people this morning (11/9/21) and they will send out a technician this afternoon.  Maybe, the furnace will act up, once more, and show them what is going on!  If not, I have the video to show them!  Hopefully, they can fix the problem!

24 comments:

  1. OK the flame shooting out of the heater is scary! Glad you got it on video.
    I like the plant on the sideboard much better than the bowl

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    1. Yes, it is, isn't it? Makes me afraid to turn it on at all! I called the furnace people this morning and they have promised to send out a technician, again!
      I, too, like the plant on the sideboard. :)

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  2. Oh my! That would be a concern. I hope the engineer will get it sorted for you next time they visit.
    I think the plant looks lovely on the sideboard. X

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    1. Yes; it is a big fire risk! I've someone scheduled to come out and take another look this afternoon.
      Thank you, I think the plant might stay on the sideboard. :)

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  3. Isn't that always the way, he furnace behaves nicely for the man who should be there fixing it. That really does not look right from the photo and good thinking to record it happening. I hope you get it sorted soon. I really like your sideboard with the potted plant, I'd put a place mat underneath if it were mine.

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    1. That's what I told the technician! I do hope the furnace will misbehave when the technician comes out, today! If not, I have the recording.
      Thank you, good suggestion to put a placemat under the plant! :)

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  4. WOW that flame shooting out would definitely scare me - good idea to show the technician the video. That is a really nice sideboard - your daughter did an excellent job getting it together (of course with Dancer's supervision). Sorry no marshmallows in the cupboards :(

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    1. It is scary, isn't it? The thing is, it seems to do that for me, but, not for the technician! Hopefully, the video will help!

      Thank you! I'm really pleased with how the sideboard turned out and thankful that my daughter not only saw the need for it, but, put it together for me (with Dancer's supervision, of course), and set it up for me. :)
      It's OK if you haven't any marshmallows; hopefully, by the end of this day, I won't have a way to toast them even if I had some! :D

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  5. I didn't realise it was shooting out flames quite like that. It's good you have photographic/video evidence of the problem. Maybe if they delay in getting another engineer out you can send them a copy so they appreciate the urgency. Can't help out with marshmallows though, sorry 😂

    I like the potted plant on the new sideboard. Maybe a framed photograph next to it would look good?

    I've been trying to pack up items to be sent of to various companies/people but haven't made much progress. I need to find some stronger boxes than the ones I have. Apart from that I've been practicing the piano as I have a lesson tomorrow and I still haven't 'got' one of the pieces.

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    1. No one seems to have any marshmallows to share with me! Oh, well, better for the blood sugar levels, I suppose. I called the furnace people, today, and we have a technician scheduled to arrive this afternoon. Hopefully, he can fix it, once and for all! It's a bit unnerving to see the flames shoot out, like that.

      I was thinking of a framed photo instead of the plant, but, I shall see how one would look next to the plant. Thanks for the idea. :)

      Hope you find the stronger boxes you need and good luck with getting that one piano piece. :)

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  6. I can add another thing to be grateful for: the opportunity to photograph fiery flames of frustration for Eileen! Seriously though, that is a very irritating scenario. I hope that this problem can be fixed forthwith. I would not want to leave it on overnight or unattended either: it's a liability.

    On a completely different matter: I really like the duck plant pot!

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    1. Ooh, Lady Ella, you are brilliant! Fiery flames of frustration! Yes! I really need to hone my ability to recognize opportunities when I see them! :D A technician is scheduled to come out this afternoon to check things, once again. Hope he can fix it!

      Thank you! I wasn't sure if the plant pot is a duck or a quail! But, it is one of a pair that were given to me by a friend, several years ago. I had them displayed on the shelves on either side of the fireplace; its mate is still there, looking a bit lonely!

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    2. Fiery flames of frustration ... I like it 😊

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    3. I think, from the shape of the head and beak, it looks like a mandarin duck. Really lovely.

      Pleased to be of service re. F photos!

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    4. Now that I know what a mandarin duck looks like, thanks to your photos, I agree with you that it is a duck. :) It has been joined by another plant (a pothos cutting) in a taller blue and white vase, on the sideboard, as of this morning. :)

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  7. All I can say is that it's a good thing you live in S. Cal and not back in Wisconsin like you did once upon a time. You are certainly have furnace troubles. Hopefully, they will be solved soon because that's a scary picture.

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    1. Yes, it is a good thing I'm in So. Cal and not somewhere colder! The technician is supposed to be here this afternoon. Hope he can fix it!

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  8. Sneaky furnace behaving well for the technician! That is so scary to see those flames shooting out and I hope that it can be fixed properly so that it is safe. I wouldn't be leaving it on at night either. What a good thing you have evidence to show the technician. Hey, maybe that photo will do for one of the photo categories one day?
    We went to the landfill today to get rid of some things but in the recycle area there were loads of items and I came back with two books and a CD and DH got some old skis to use to improvise a special sleigh for transporting maple pails through the bush!

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    1. Well, the technician returned today and he adjusted the flame of the pilot light (increased it) and it worked well enough when we tried it. I haven't turned it on for the night, yet. Hopefully, it will work without any problems; if not, I'll be calling them, again, tomorrow! I'm also having it checked by the gas company, as well, on Thursday.
      That's good that you and DH found a few things you could use in the recycling area at the landfill! What a good thing to have that recycling area. A sleigh to transport the maple pails sounds like a very good idea!

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  9. How can a flame shooting out of a furnace vent be normal??? Yikes! Glad you're getting that checked out ...

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    1. Exactly, Sandy. It is now working normally, but, the gas company technician is coming tomorrow to check, too. :)

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  10. That is NUTS! Just crazy stuff.
    I'm so glad your daughter was able to capture what it's doing. Isn't it always the way that the problem doesn't appear when whoever is going to fix the problem is there?

    I'd be so frustrated if I was you. I really hope the visit today brings about a solution.

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    1. Yes, it is crazy, isn't it? The furnace company tech came out, again, the next day and tried to tell me that that was normal! Oh, no! It is NOT normal! He then increased the pilot light and that seems to have done the trick. The gas company tech came out, today, and raised the pilot light flame a bit more! It is working well, now, finally! I was not happy with the furnace company!

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