Northern Liberties started out as an industrial neighborhood in Philadelphia but has since been filled with artists, tech entrepreneurs, and others looking for a great area outside of Old City. Condominiums like this one can be found throughout the area, each with their own heating and air conditioning systems.
The owners of this condo were having a problem with their heating and called us to see what we could do. When we got there, an inspection revealed that the old Lennox heater had a cracked heat exchanger. This means that the exhaust gas from the furnace can mix with the house air, leaking carbon monoxide into the home, which can be deadly. As a result, we knew we'd need to replace the gas furnace immediately to prevent a huge safety concern.
PROBLEM: These homeowners were having problems with their heating system. Upon inspection, we found that the old Lennox Gas Furnace had a cracked heat exchanger.
SOLUTION: ECI Comfort replaced the old system with a new 80% efficiency Carrier Gas furnace and added a new gas water heater.
Replacing a Gas Furnace and Water Heater in Northern Liberties
When we discussed the problem with the homeowners, they also expressed concern about the age of their water heater and its lifespan and opted to have us replace it at the same time. We replaced the water heater with an equivalent Bradford White Defender series gas hot water heater. This water heater has a special safety system that's designed to prevent any flames from ever traveling outside the water heater, which is especially important in small, narrow spaces like this one.
The old furnace had simply become a health and safety hazard with its cracked heat exchanger. We needed to make sure that with its replacement, we kept the homeowner's budget and space limitations in mind. We recommended Carrier as a good option for many reasons. They have an excellent reputation for quality and reliability, and they work hard to stay on top of the latest technology and to make sure their units deliver maximum efficiency. We were able to find an 80% efficiency unit that would work perfectly in the space.
We also kept in mind that in small spaces like this one, HVAC systems tend to starve for air -- a factor that may have stressed the last system and caused the cracked heat exchanger. This meant we need to add a new return filter grill to ensure the new system would get all the air it needed to run efficiently. 
We're so glad we were able to help our homeowners get back up and running with efficient heating and increased airflow. Their heat and hot water will now function smoothly for years to come.
If you have a home heating, air conditioning, or hot water problem, give us a call here at ECI. We'll help get you back on track as fast as possible, and work to increase your overall efficiency so you see your energy bills go down as well!
