Heating

The biggest cause of equipment failure is dirt ,and the air around us is full of it. Various particles float freely in the air from all kinds of sources: roads, trees, nearby construction, beaches and industrial manufacturing. These particles get into our buildings and are circulated by the heating equipment in the supply air stream.

Air filters are used to remove the largest of the air-born particles, but the standard filters most commonly used only remove 5%. The rest circulates and can collect inside the equipment on the heat exchanger, ductwork and controls.

When you first turn on the heat in the autumn you will often notice strong odours coming from the heating equipment. The dust that passed through the filters has collected on the heat exchanger over the summer and is now burning off. The gas combustion process also uses a great deal of air supply. This air supply is unfiltered and dirt will collect on the burners and draft inducers.

A minimum of 10 cubic feet of air is required or every 1,000 BTU's for the combustion process. Natural draft appliances that are most commonly used require an additional 20 cubic feet of air for every 1000 BTU's for dilution and secondary air supply. For example, a typical 200,000 BTU boiler would need 6000 cubic feet of air for every hour that is operates.

Maintenance Requirements

Level 1-Minimal Maintenance Annually

Level 3 -Detailed Inspections

When taking over the maintenance on any unfamiliar piece of equipment a more detailed inspection is required. This should also be done every five years that the equipment is in use to insure the equipment is still operating as the manufacturer suggests