Household Repairs See also coal stoker, gas burner, or oil burner.

Doesn't heat house properly. If furnace is coal fired, clean out soot every month with a long-handled wire brush. Whatever the fuel, have heating contractor check draft and clean soot out of entire system.

Heats house unevenly. Check whether all heating outlets are operating properly (see radiator). If thermostat is exposed to cold drafts or heat (a radiator, register, fireplace, etc.), call in heating contractor. Thermostat probably needs to be moved.

Grates jammed with clinkers. Don't shake grates vigorously. Break clinkers with poker passed up through grate from ash pit.

Air leaks around furnace doors. If doors are seldom opened, cover cracks with cement.

Small cracks in cast-iron shell. Scrape open and pack in iron cement.

Delivers dirt to rooms through warm-air ducts. Clean furnace filters if of cleanable type; renew throwaway type.

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May 22, 2012