I don't know how to turn on the heat at my new house.

[malta blue]

It's kinda chilly outside and I have no clue how to turn on the furnace.

Brrr...

[bicentennial_baby]

1. Hm...If it's an oil furnace...

At my parent's home, it's always "on", but doesn't start putting out heat until it either gets cold enough to trigger it, or someone turns up the thermostat past the current temperature.

:shrug:

[malta blue]

2. We have a gas steam boiler and I went down and

looked at it :rofl: but could not figure out what to do to get the heat on.

[Critters2]

13. I have a boiler--hot water in my case.

Look for a thermostat. Mine looks just like one you'd see with a forced-air furnace.

[malta blue]

15. Thanks for the tip. I have located the thermostat.

I was baffled by it when I looked at the actual boiler. I had an oil furnace before and there was an actual "on " switch on that, this just has a bunch of color coded knobs (I sound so intelligent right about now, don't I?) so I was confused by what to do...

And Mr MB, well he is from LA and has had zero experience with any sort of heating systems, so I am on my own on this one.

I have a sweater on, and he is not home from work yet.

I think we'll just enjoy the hot tub until it's time for bed :evilgrin:

[Critters2]

18. Happily, I have Trustees who do most of this kind of thing.

If I understand correctly--and there's no guarantee--you do need to be sure there's water in the boiler when you fire it up. There must be in mine, because my heat kicked on all by itself the night before last. My thermostat goes to 55, so it must have been colder than that. Nothing blew up, so all's well.

Hope you get it figured out. Me, I've never dealt with oil furnaces before. I've always had natural gas or propane forced air heat before this.

[malta blue]

20. I'm sure I'll figure it out eventually...

I'd better considering I am in upstate NY.

[Kali]

3. eh, put on a sweater

[YellowRubberDuckie]

8. Ditto.

[malta blue]

10. Already on...

:hi:

[Gormy Cuss]

14. Ever the practical one, Kali.

:rofl:

[Shakespeare]

4. Your gas company will send somebody out to turn it on for you, free of cost.

You'll have to make an appointment, but that's the easiest and safest way to get it turned on. I was baffled by my gas furnace, and had a technician come out. They turned it on for me, and showed me how to light the pilot light if it accidentally went out.

[DS1]

6. somebody isn't using any gas!

get a man out there STAT!

:D

[malta blue]

17. I found a service sticker on the actual boiler, so I

will call them and get it checked out as well. Downthread Steven_S suggested I may have a little annual maintenance that will need to be done.

[Steven_S]

5. Steam boilers need some attention.....

I am a retired plumbing/heating contractor. There are safety switches and valves that need attention before you attempt to fire it the first time of the season.

Your best advice would be to get hold of the local heating company, or get a referral to a reliable heating service company and have them check it out. You will need to be there with him so he can show you about the water level, blow-down procedure, and all the info you need to run this boiler.

You may also want to get a book about steam systems from heatinghelp.com for the homeowner so you can understand more about your system. You can save yourself a lot of money and headaches with a little more knowledge of your system.

Good luck.

[catmandu57]

9. What Steve said

Better to bundle up right now and get it done right.

[malta blue]

16. I figured as much.

Got the sweater and extra blanket. It's not so bad, and there is electric heat in a few rooms in the house...

as my dad used to joke during my teen angst years "If she dies, she dies"...

:hi:

[malta blue]

11. Thanks Steven_S

:hi:

I was thinking that may have to be the case. I was a little baffled by it when I checked it out earlier. There is a service sticker on it, I will call them tomorrow.

Funny, it has been so warm, I forgot it was October and should have tended to this sooner, but it was 80 degrees earlier this week.

[Steven_S]

19. You're welcome....

make sure the tech knows you don't know anything about it. He should tell you what to look for as far as leaks and basic maintenance.

Also for the first steam cycle or two you should keep an eye on your convectors or radiators and their vents (equalizing valves) if they have them. Sometimes they leak around the union or packing nut on the service valve during this process. Some equalizing valves also fail during the stress of first fire and steam cycle.

I don't mean stand there looking at them, just check on them once in awhile. :)

Ask questions - and good luck. :hi:

[malta blue]

21. I will also make sure mr MB is home too...

he was awol during the inspection of the house, and I must admit, I was measuring for drapes :rofl:...actually I am kidding, but I should have paid more attention to the inspector, since I know he turned it on.

:hi:

[Suich]

7. Thermostat?

:shrug:

[malta blue]

12. got one...

;)

[struggle4progress]

22. Feh. Just bust up the dining room furniture and set it on fire in the living room.