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Just bought a home with a 29 year old Lennox G12 Gas Furnace that hadn't been serviced in a while. Electric pilot cycles a few times before it kicks in, but otherwise worked.
Then a few days ago, the house is cold and smelled gas. Gas company person comes and checks it out and says my control valve wasn't working and gas was coming into the house. An easy fix but watch out, he warns, the furnace company will probably try to sell you a new furnace. He shuts off the gas and red tags the unit.
Next day, repair person comes. The gas valve, ignition module, and pilot tubing all need replacing - says that the way the system is designed you can't replace just one. Total repair bill is $920 + $140 for diagnostics. He recommends just getting a new furnace. Later that day, the company sales person calls me from his car asking if I want to set up an appointment that day and gives me a price range of $4800 to $5600. The company also sells inspection packages - $140 seasonal. Since I have a working heat pump that's keeping my house in the 60s and I'm not in the habit of buying anything without doing my due diligence I told him I'd think about it.
Here is the exact writeup from the repair tech: "Found the gas valve is leaking gas. The ignitor [sic] mounts to the top of the gas valve and there is not a safe place to mount the ignitor. Suggest the furnace is changed. Get the sailsman [sic] in touch with the <customer>."
And the parts list: "Gas valve $449 / Ignition module $408 / Pilot tubing $78".
Am i getting taken for a ride? I have a difficult time believing three parts failed and the gas company guy got it wrong. I am in Northern VA and have an old house in an expensive neighborhood and people knock on my door literally every day trying to sell home improvement / maintenance services.
Thanks in advance and hopefully others can benefit.
Then a few days ago, the house is cold and smelled gas. Gas company person comes and checks it out and says my control valve wasn't working and gas was coming into the house. An easy fix but watch out, he warns, the furnace company will probably try to sell you a new furnace. He shuts off the gas and red tags the unit.
Next day, repair person comes. The gas valve, ignition module, and pilot tubing all need replacing - says that the way the system is designed you can't replace just one. Total repair bill is $920 + $140 for diagnostics. He recommends just getting a new furnace. Later that day, the company sales person calls me from his car asking if I want to set up an appointment that day and gives me a price range of $4800 to $5600. The company also sells inspection packages - $140 seasonal. Since I have a working heat pump that's keeping my house in the 60s and I'm not in the habit of buying anything without doing my due diligence I told him I'd think about it.
Here is the exact writeup from the repair tech: "Found the gas valve is leaking gas. The ignitor [sic] mounts to the top of the gas valve and there is not a safe place to mount the ignitor. Suggest the furnace is changed. Get the sailsman [sic] in touch with the <customer>."
And the parts list: "Gas valve $449 / Ignition module $408 / Pilot tubing $78".
Am i getting taken for a ride? I have a difficult time believing three parts failed and the gas company guy got it wrong. I am in Northern VA and have an old house in an expensive neighborhood and people knock on my door literally every day trying to sell home improvement / maintenance services.
Thanks in advance and hopefully others can benefit.