Does anyone know about furnaces?

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Xilus
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the characteristics and potential interference of an ancient furnace in an apartment, particularly concerning its type (electric coil, natural gas, or heating oil) and its proximity to an internet router. Participants explore the implications of the furnace's placement on WiFi performance.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant speculates that the furnace could be heating oil and questions whether it can burn natural gas while pumping hot air.
  • Another participant asserts that the furnace is placed next to the internet router, suggesting a direct correlation with WiFi issues.
  • A third participant seeks clarification on the timeline of installation for the furnace and router, questioning the sequence of events and the potential for interference.
  • One participant proposes that the furnace could be pumping oil, water, or air but expresses uncertainty about how it might interfere with WiFi unless it is made of thick metal positioned to attenuate the signal.
  • Another participant suggests that if the WiFi interference is a concern, relocating the router could be a solution.
  • One participant advises that if the situation is confusing, contacting the landlord may be necessary.
  • A later reply mentions that instructions for a new wireless router indicate it should not be placed near large metal objects and should ideally be mounted high up, noting that a furnace is typically located in the basement, which may not be optimal for router placement.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express various viewpoints regarding the furnace's type and its potential impact on WiFi, with no consensus reached on the exact nature of the interference or the best course of action.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in understanding the specific type of furnace and its operational characteristics, as well as the exact nature of the WiFi interference. The discussion also lacks clarity on the sequence of installation for the furnace and router.

Xilus
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my apartment has this ancient furnace.
it either is electric coil or natural gas.

i think its heating oil and pumping it around the building.

could it burn natural gas and just pump hot air through the furnace?

anyway. its slowing down my WiFi.
 
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they put the furnace next to the internet router.
100%
 
Xilus said:
my apartment has this ancient furnace.
Xilus said:
they put the furnace next to the internet router.
100%

100% of what?

I'm not following the timeline. Was an ancient furnace installed adjacent to an existing router? Or was a router installed adjacent to an existing furnace? In either case, if the suspicion is that the furnace is interfering with router WIFI, then move the router elsewhere.
 
It could be pumping oil water or air.
I can't think how it might interfere with wi fi though, unless it's very thick metal, and exactly positioned so that it's seriously attenuating the wi fi signal.
Can you not relocate the router?
 
None of this makes any sense, but if you have a landlord, you should be talking to them.
 
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AS it happen, I just bought a new wireless router. The instructions were not to place it near large metal objects because it can affect the directional pattern of the antennae. Also the instructions tell you to mount it high up. A furnace is often in the basement - definitely not a good place for a Router. Best site would probably be near the ceiling of the ground floor.
 

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