Reader Takes Stone To Task re. Heat Exchanger

[hausdok]

A reader challenges Barry Stone's assertion that a cracked heat exchanger is dangerous and says that a cracked heat exchanger does not allow CO into a home because it's under pressure.

Read Stone's answer here.

[kurt]

Hmmmmm.......

No one is going to argue effectively that holes in the HE are OK, and no one is going to convince me that small holes or cracks in the HE are particularly dangerous.

They're both citing "studies" that are not referenced; there seems to be a little one-upsmanship on both sides.

I'v tested hundreds of HE's with holes big enough to push a cat through, with no measurable CO. I've found CO in properties with no defects in the HE or venting arrangements.

Who's right?

[Les]

While I do agree with Kurt, I would offer that nearly every old Lennox G series exchanger that I found cracked did offer a "high" carbon monoxide reading. I am referring to cracked exchangers only.

[Tom Raymond]

Who's right?

Well, we're talking about Stone and one of his readers that felt compelled to argue with him. Based soley on those grounds they're both mostly wrong. Jowers said something about the "Age of Dumbth" and "cultural basements" that fits pretty well I think.

Tom

I think I'm gonna find that qoute for my signature.

[kurt]

Yeah, I think anyone that sets out to argue with a well regarded columnist is sorta shooting themselves in the foot. You're never going to have the last word, and what goofball is going to argue, in print, that holes in a HE are OK?

Oh yeah, that goofball.......even though I agree with him.....

I always feel lucky when I find holes in HE's, because that's what it takes most of the time.....luck, achieved by being thorough and diligent.

[Tom Raymond]

Kurt, I had to re-read your post. For a minute I thought you had referred to Stone as a "well respected" columnist. []

[kurt]

[:-eyebrow

Yeah, I was going more with the "to look upon or think of with a particular feeling" kind of thing.

Although, I respect the guy quite a bit, even though I disagree with him all the time.

All columnists, sooner or later, put up some stinkers (even Walter & Royko). It's the curse of having to reinvent yourself every day in writing.

That's hard work.