by High Performance HVAC | Buyers Advice |
Boiler Efficiency Options - High Performance HVAC wants to help you understand your next boiler purchase better. To do this we want to break down all the different types of boilers and components, and various options and features that you may find when making a purchase.
Typically, you want to find a like replacement for the boiler you currently have installed, or if you are buying a new boiler, you want a system that will handle the load and is durable. The most important feature of the new purchase is usually the fuel efficiency simply because the cost of running the new system will give you pay back over time for the new purchase.
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by High Performance HVAC | Boilers |
Boiler Stainless Steel Exhaust Flue Stack: This is a photo of a boiler stainless steel exhaust stack. It is used for venting corrosive boiler combustion gases. As the flue gases leave the boiler they cool and depending on the dew point of the gas, the gas will experience a change of state. It will change from a gas to a liquid. This liquid is highly corrosive and only special flues like stainless steel vent can be used when this occurs. Stainless steel prevents premature failure of the boiler vent.
There are many considerations to consider with a new installation of a heating system in comparison to the type of vent to be utilized. The venting system used to vent the gases from the boiler or furnace safely outdoors. It is imperative that safety guidelines be followed when installing any type of venting system for furnaces or boilers using fossil fuels. For detailed information concerning code requirements for installation of venting systems see the IFGC or International Fuel Gas Code. Chapter 5 and Appendix C of the IFGC offer detailed requirements for the installation of venting systems.
Never sacrifice safely, consult a professional when in doubt. There are many rules to follow. A professional will know these rules and apply them as they install the system. They will also, have the system inspected by the code official in your area to double-check to ensure safety guidelines were followed
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by High Performance HVAC | Boilers |
The residential steam boiler is still alive and well despite the fact that some HVAC professionals refer to it and the steam boiler profession as the dead man’s club. However, there are not a lot of HVAC boiler technicians or HVAC companies that specialize in steam boilers because there are not a lot of steam boilers used for residential and light commercial applications. (more…)
by High Performance HVAC | Gas Furnaces |
Automatic Vent Damper System | Gas Heat Flue Economizer. The automatic vent damper adds efficiency to water heaters and furnaces. The automatic flue damper traps heat in the furnace, boiler, or water heater. It holds heat in and around the heat exchanger instead of allowing it to rise up the flue.
The control voltage from the appliance powers the automatic vent damper. The automatic vent damper has a little motor that powers it to the closed position. It leaves all the heat trapped inside the furnace, boiler, or hot water heater. Prior to the existence of automatic vent dampers, the heat escaped up the flue and vented to the atmosphere. (more…)
by High Performance HVAC | Oil Heat |
Furnace and Boiler Oil Filters - Oil burner oil filters are important to keep trash out of the burner gun and plugging the nozzle. A dirty filter can also choke the system from firing properly by preventing the correct amount of oil flow from reaching the nozzle. Oil furnace oil filters or oil boiler oil filters should be changed on at least an annual basis. More if the oil or oil tank is of poor quality. It is also recommended that the oil furnace or oil boiler be shut down when oil delivery is made.
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by High Performance HVAC | Technical Reference |
Bacharach Combustion Analyzer
Bacharach Combustion Analyzer Furnace Testing - The combustion analyzer is used to test gas and oil furnaces to make sure the combustion process is as efficient as possible. This multi-function HVAC test instrument can also be used to test spaces for carbon monoxide, test building pressure, all in addition to testing the combustion process of the furnace.
The combustion analyzer allows an HVAC technician to test the flue temperature, the amount of oxygen in the furnace flue gases, the amount of carbon monoxide in the flue gases, the amount of carbon dioxide in the flue gases, and the pressure of the flue. All these readings are necessary so the HVAC technician can make adjustments to the burner settings to ensure efficient combustion using the combustion analyzer. (more…)
by High Performance HVAC | Boilers |
HVAC Near Boiler Piping Components - HVAC near boiler piping is very important to a good hot boiler loop circulation of the water. Hot water loop piping is key to maintaining good water flow throughout the system. The placement of valves, the circulator pump, and other loop controls are generally installed near the boiler. (more…)
by High Performance HVAC | Gas Furnaces |
This picture shows furnace flue condensation problems. This problem is caused by hot gases cooling too quickly in the flue. As the hot gasses cool, the moisture in the gases condenses and starts dripping back down the flue. Typically, there is a combustion issue or bad flue design. (more…)
by High Performance HVAC | Oil Heat |
Oil Furnace Condensation Problems - This Oil Furnace has flue gas condensation problems as one can see from the white residue forming on the front of this oil furnace. This problem occurs when the flue gases are not hot enough to rise above and out of the flue. (more…)
by High Performance HVAC | Gas Furnaces |
Draft hood not connected properly to the flue on an atmospheric boiler
Flue Size Chimney Liners Corrosion - It is important that furnace flues are sized properly or vent into chimneys that have chimney liners in them. Many older heating systems were oversized. From the furnace to the chimney used to vent the exhaust gases many older systems are oversized.
These older systems were also inefficient. Modern furnaces and boilers are far more efficient than the older inefficient systems. The older systems had flue gases that contained more heat than the newer modern heating systems. It is, therefore, important that flue size is sized properly for the newer furnaces because the flue gases are highly corrosive when they condense. (more…)
