As homeowners, one of the last things we like to experience is something with our heating system that goes wrong during the winter cold. Living in Richmond Virginia, I recently experienced a malfunctioning gas boiler that temporarily became inoperable last weekend.
It happened that the pressure relief valve on the boiler got stuck open by solder debris that finally broke loose recently---years after its installation back in 2007. Fortunately, I have a high efficiency Munchkin boiler that has operated optimally without incident until this winter.
Also, this gas boiler heats water that gets pumped through my whole house cast iron radiator system in my home. The radiators probably are as old as my home, which was built in 1921. It's the high efficiency gas boiler that just needed fixing.
So who do we trust? How do we know that a technician only will target the specific problem without charging exorbitant fees or making unnecessary repairs? It helps by becoming somewhat educated oneself about a heating system. In this case it was boiler valves. Also, listen to one's gut instincts. If something sounds a little suspect, then get a second opinion. That's what I did!
The initial symptoms started when we realized that the system was only heating to 120 degrees. It's supposed to heat to 180 degrees. A large and well-known local heating and air-conditioning company (which will remain nameless) came to inspect my boiler a couple weeks ago.
To make a long story short, the bottom line is that only the pressure relief valve needed to be replaced on the gas boiler system. (The boiler works just fine now!) I found that out from a smaller company, Mode Comfort, that has been recommended to me as being highly trustworthy. Since I didn't get that gut feeling that the larger company's technician was being honest with me, I went with Mode Comfort.
The fees were more reasonable, and only one valve needed to be replaced instead of two or three. Always get an itemized quote first before agreeing to any recommended repairs. If some repair costs on a heating system sound too high or maybe some suggested repairs look suspiciously unnecessary, then I definitely would recommend getting a second or third opinion!
Technician from Mode Comfort worked on pressure relief valve for Munchkin boiler.
Owner of Mode Comfort checks rising temperature for my Munchkin boiler last Monday.
Above is truck for Mode Comfort outside my home on Monday, the day my boiler was repaired.
My three basic tips are:
1) Always ask friends, neighbors and associates about reliable and trustworthy local companies before choosing a company to do repair work. Just because a company has been around a long time doesn't mean that all the technicians for that company are ethical and trustworthy.
2) Often smaller local companies also can have an excellent reputation, charge more reasonable prices, and only charge for necessary repairs.
3) If a quote for a particular repair request sounds suspicious, then definitely get a second or third opinion from independent sources!
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