There's only one thing wrong with this oil furnace. We know exactly what it is and exactly how to fix it. But how many of the repair people we called in will get the right answer?
When we first arrived at this Weymouth home, the furnace was fine.
Hank Phillippi Ryan, 7News Investigative Reporter”Check this out.”
This state licensed oil burner technician, and veteran instructor confirmed it.
Hank Phillippi Ryan, 7News Investigative Reporter”This is in perfect working order?”
Steve Packer, Instructor and State Licensed Oil Burner Technician”Yes.”
We tell Steve do just one thing that'll put the furnace on the blink.
He opens the transformer and unplugs this critical piece called a “cad cell.” See the metal prongs? They shouldn't be showing. The bad connection will make the burner turn off.
Hank Phillippi Ryan, 7News Investigative Reporter”And that's the only thing that's wrong?”
Steve Packer, Instructor and State Licensed Oil Burner Technician”That's the only thing that's wrong.”
Steve says that it is a no brainer.
Hank Phillippi Ryan, 7News Investigative Reporter”Did we pick a strange thing to break?”
Steve Packer, Instructor and State Licensed Oil Burner Technician”No, you picked the most common.”
Now comes the test.
The first arrival checks the transformer box, but he doesn't mention the cad cell. Finally, he slides out this part and tells our producer that the problem is unaligned electrodes. He says that it is fixed, charges us $85 and takes off. We head back to check his work.
Hank Phillippi Ryan, 7News Investigative Reporter”So, he didn't fix it?”
Steve Packer, Instructor and State Licensed Oil Burner Technician”No.”
See, the cad cell is just like we left it.
Steve Packer, Instructor and State Licensed Oil Burner Technician”He should have found it right away. It's that simple.”
If your burner is on the blink, it's not just an annoyance. State officials know fuel build up ,and dangerous fumes can be a disaster.
Mark Mooney, Massachusetts Department of Public Safety”It is absolutely dangerous.”
That's why oil burner technicians must pass a test and be licensed by the state.
Look what happened to Alexander's home in Falmouth.
Vents there are duct taped because they spewed out soot. Black stuff on sinks, floors and everyone's fingers after their furnace “technician” badly botched the job.
Our check of the records proves that “technician” did not have the required state license.
Alex, a homeowner”I trusted them 100 percent. I didn't think for a minute they could do such a thing.”
But we found it happens over and over. The electrode guy?
We found that he did not have a license, he was also operating illegally.
He's not the only one who failed our test: this man, and this one and this one as well.
Each arrived to “fix” our furnace. They checked the filter, looked at the blower and examined the transformer.
Each one decided that it was the thermostat, said that they would have to come back and gave us a bill.
Hank Phillippi Ryan, 7News Investigative Reporter”Do we have a thermostat problem?”
Steve Packer, Instructor and State Licensed Oil Burner Technician”No.”
Hank Phillippi Ryan, 7News Investigative Reporter”You're sure?”
Steve Packer, Instructor and State Licensed Oil Burner Technician”Yes.”
Not only did they all fail the test, but these two are breaking the law. They did not have the required state issued license.
We showed state officials how we got burned.
Hank Phillippi Ryan, 7News Investigative Reporter”What grade would you give this guy?”
Mark Mooney, Massachusetts Department of Public Safety”He's a failing grade.”
Mark Mooney is not only an oil burner expert, but also the man in charge of licensing.
Hank Phillippi Ryan, 7News Investigative Reporter”Should this person be working on our oil burner at all?”
Mark Mooney, Massachusetts Department of Public Safety”Absolutely not.”
Problem is when an unlicensed person rips you off; there's nothing the state can do. They can't yank a license when someone doesn't have one.
So when it comes to getting burned, it turns out you're the first line of defense. Ask for a license or you may be left in the cold.
State officials are now pushing hard for new regulations for oil burner technicians, including requiring that they receive continuing education.
Before you hire anyone to fix your furnace, check the Massachusetts Department of Public Safety's Web site to make sure they are licensed.
If you have a concern about an unlicensed oil burner technician, call your local fire department for more information.
(Copyright 2007 Sunbeam Television. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)