November 27, 2011
To West Coast Appliance Services Inc.
On Tuesday 11.15.2011 I called WCAS (West Coast Appliance Services Inc.) and asked them to investigate a problem in my home; the wall above the wall heater was getting extremely hot. We made an appointment for the following day.
On Wednesday 11.16.2011 WCAS sent Sam to my home. Sam checked the wall heater, which was functioning satisfactorily. He also checked the vent pipe in the attic by looking in the access door, BUT DID NOT ENTER THE ATTIC SPACE. He checked the flow on the roof outside. He said the only thing to do was replace everything, the heater and "all the way up". So I contracted with WCAS to do the job for $1450.00 and paid $200.00 deposit.
On Saturday 11.19.2011 the installers (2) came and put in a new wall heater, a Williams Model 3509622. The installers did not want to replace the vent pipe. They reassured me that it looked OK, bottom and top. THEY DID NOT ENTER THE ATTIC SPACE. I paid the balance of $1250.00.
After leaving the heater on for about an hour I discovered that the wall got hot, exactly the same as with the old heater. I called WCAS and Sam came out again on Monday 11.21.2011 and said he would talk to the installers and "resolve this issue".
ON Wednesday 11.23.2011 another man came in a TRANE van and WENT INTO THE ATTIC SPACE and saw that the problem was a distorted vent pipe that was too close to the wall. He put a piece of sheet metal in, about 24"X24". I could not see exactly what was done, but it improved the condition markedly! Now much of the wall no longer gets hot! There is still one point on both sides of the wall just inches above the heater that still gets extremely hot after about an hour of operation. I called WCAS and a man told me to call back on Friday, after Thanksgiving.
On Friday 11.25.2011 two more techs from WCAS came and replaced the vent pipe, leaving the two pieces of sheet metal in the wall, one on each side of the rising vent pipe.
Overall the wall temperature is improved (not as hot) but still quite hot just above the heater (2 to 3 inches above heater top). I don't know the auto-ignition temperature of plaster walls, so I'm just hoping the walls can withstand the heat without igniting.
I have a new heater and thermostat. The piece of sheet metal did the most good. I also now have a new vent pipe. Still the wall is too hot just above the heater. I don't know the temperature, but I cannot leave my hand on the wall just above the heater.
I am writing this to be clear about everything. I am happy to have a new wall heater, thermostat, and vent pipe. Also the sheet metal in the wall is helpful. Everyone at WCAS has been professional and treated me well. A mistake was made in diagnosing my problem however, and is still not completely resolved. I don't know if the remaining amount of heat in the wall (after an hour's operation of the heater) is safe.
Sincerely,
Bob
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