Author: Jesse

Combustion analysis

Combustion analysis

A combustion analyzer measures and gives out results to you based on what’s taken place after combustion has happened.

Understanding exactly what your combustion analyzer is telling you is arguably one of the most important pieces of information to understand as a technician nowadays.

An essential step is running a combustion analysis in commissioning a newly installed appliance, troubleshooting, or even just on routine maintenance for both efficiency and safety. continue reading...

Furnace commissioning

Furnace commissioning

Steps in order for furnace commissioning:
  1. Set gas pressure to manufacture default
  2. Set input of the unit. Change orifices if needed
  3. Set gas pressure
  4. Get the temperature rise in the manufacturer suggested range
  5. Combustion analysis test

An essential step in commissioning a newly installed gas appliance or even just on routine maintenance for both efficiency and safety includes clocking the meter, running a combustion analysis, checking temperature rise, verifying stack/venting draft, and setting manifold pressures.

A 94% gas furnace installed fresh out of the box could be running at quite a bit less when not set up correctly. You’re not doing your customer any favors when not finishing an install as you could add thousands of dollars in gas usage and repairs that could be avoided over the life of the appliance. continue reading...

Dry-Bulb

Dry-Bulb

The dry-bulb temperature is also referred to as the air temperature or ambient air temperature. The dry-bulb temperature is not affected by the moisture in the air. It measures the sensible temperature of the air.

It’s the temperature you’re usually referring to when you’re telling your friends how hot it is outside. The dry-bulb can be taken with an ordinary everyday thermometer. continue reading...

Wet-Bulb

Wet-Bulb

The wet-bulb temperature is a measure of moisture evaporation. Basically how easy it is for moisture to evaporate.

Wet-bulb is measured by an ordinary thermometer with a wet cloth on the end. You can also use a sling psychrometer or digital psychrometer as well.

When the air passes through the wet cloth, moisture from the cloth evaporates into the air. This causes the air to reduce temperature. The temperature the air has reduced to is the new temperature the thermometer will read, and this will be lower than the dry-bulb temperature in most cases. If they’re the same, you have 100% relative humidity. continue reading...

Temperature Rise

Temperature Rise

Temperature rise is the difference of air temperature between the conditioned return air and the heated supply air sent from the furnace.

Temperature rise is part of the initial setup of a furnace. Before taking a temperature rise reading, you will need to make sure you have a clean filter, proper gas pressure, combustion test, and correct furnace/duct/return air size. continue reading...

Static Pressure

Static Pressure

Caution: It cannot be said enough how careful you need to be when drilling into a furnace to make pressure testing ports. Avoid drilling through the cabinet and hitting anything such as electrical, condensate traps, or the heat exchanger.

Static pressure is the resistance air faces when moving through a duct system or the balloon pressure outwards towards the walls of the duct. continue reading...

Protons, Neutrons, and Electrons

Protons, Neutrons, and Electrons

Everything is made up of atoms. Atoms are made up of protons, electrons, and neutrons. The nucleus of the atom contains neutrons which have a neutral charge and protons which have a positive charge. Electrons orbit the nucleus and have a negative charge.

If you have the same amount of protons as electrons, you’d have a neutral charge. If the atom loses an electron, you’d have a positive charge. If the atom has more electrons, the atom would be negatively charged. Electrons can jump from one negatively charged object to a positively charged one and will balance the charge. The energy used when the electrons move is the voltage. continue reading...

Alternating current

Alternating current

What is Alternating Current?

Alternating current, (AC) is the most common form of electricity. AC became the standard due to the ease of distributing power over a long distance. With AC, a simple transformer outside your house steps the voltage down from the power company supply to a usable voltage in your home. Since it’s made up of no moving parts and some coils of wire, it’s a lot less expensive than using DC power as the standard delivery method. continue reading...

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