WHY DO WE TEST WITH ELECTRONIC COMBUSTION ANALYZERS?

 

1. TO VERIFY PROPER OPERATION OF YOUR EQUIPMENT

• To verify that equipment is operating as the manufacture designed it to work. This includes tests for CO, CO2, O2, Excess Air and stack temperatures.

- Your furnace will perform better, and reduce the likelihood of call-backs for no-heat.

• To verify that the maintenance work performed has corrected the problem.

- A print-out documents the before-after improvement in performance.

• To detect many defects early before failure.

- Higher efficiency equipment is running at peak only when properly adjusted. As the complexity

of a system increases, so does the importance of proper adjustment of the combustion process.

• Improperly adjusted equipment not only fails to meet expected performance but could lead to future failures

- High CO readings throughout the burner operation could be from a burner that isn’t aligned or

a flame impingement problem

• To check that the equipment is supplied with enough combustion air, make-up air and has proper venting to exhaust the combustion by- products.

• To determine if emissions are within acceptable levels.

• To check heat exchangers for cracks.

- A breach in the heat exchange may result in CO, O2 and Excess Air values that change after the blower turns on. This is due to an introduction of additional fresh air into the stack gases from the positive pressure pushing fresh air into the flue. We use a test procedure that allows us to capture these values and printout a comparison of the before and after levels. A change in these values usually indicates a compromised heat exchanger.

• To monitor the operation during start-up and shutdown.

- Many problems with burners may show an increase in CO at these points earlier than when the equipment is at operating temperature. A slight rise in CO during these times may be typical, but anything over 400 would indicate a problem.

• To establish a base-line of desired performance.

- By tracking the performance over time you are able to see changes before they lead to equipment failure.

2. VERIFY SAFE OPERATION OF COMBUSTION EQUIPMENT

• Equipment that is not properly adjusted, or that has insufficient draft to vent combustion gases could produce carbon monoxide in deadly quantities. We test both flue gas and ambient levels of carbon monoxide.

• When customers complain about fumes it is usually an indication of improper operation. CO is a colorless, odorless gas so the fumes are not the CO, but an indication that a problem may exist.

3. IMPROVE OUR PRODUCTIVITY & SAVE YOU LABOR HOURS

• Quick, continuous readout of the combustion process. Readings change in real-time as adjustments are made to help zero in on the proper setting.

• Proper testing with documented results will help us provide the proper service or equipment replacement recommendations, and have the data to support this. We are not guessing, and the work provided is proper for your needs.

• We will quickly diagnose failures and help keep the equipment up for the season.

4. IMPROVED CUSTOMER PERCEPTION OF OUR SERVICES

• We provide our customers documented results of the performance of their equipment

• We reduce our customer’s energy expense by properly adjusting and maintaining their equipment

• We increase your confidence in our work performed because of the documented results.

Spring Has Sprung!

 Is it Spring finally? YES! It has been a long winter for most of us. We are ready for a “renewal”. The doomsayers have been making their living all winter telling us how bad things are. Negativity sells! Well, I’m not buying it, at least not in our area. It is time not just for a renewal in weather, but in our attitudes as well. We are looking forward to seeing our friends again this season. That, by the way, is how we think of you – not just as customers, but as friends. And the friendship we share matters even more in times like these. Let me assure you of one thing. We look out for our friends. When you call us for maintenance, we try our best to get your system ready so that you won’t need us for awhile. But if you do, we’ll be right there to take care of any trouble that comes up.

 

Never Change Another Filter

 When you get on our Planned Maintenance Agreement program, there is no need for you to have to go to the store, order a weird size, or think of it in the middle of the night when it’s clogged up and your system is not heating or cooling properly. That’s what being a Maintenance Agreement client is all about; comfort and peace of mind. It’s also about saving you money and hassles maintaining your system. It is also about getting you your time back to do more important things than inhale forgotten dirty air. Take a moment to call now. Just say, “I don’t ever want to change another filter” and we’ll know what you mean. Call while this newsletter is active and we’ll put the standard air filters into the Maintenance Agreement for free!