NCI Article Library

High-Performance HVAC Resources

Combustion Diagnostics Yield High-Margin System Repairs

Those who have implemented Combustion Diagnostics in their service agreements know that technology has given us the ability to uncover mechanical deficiencies with fuel burning appliances like never before. Combustion analysis helps us detect improper fuel input,...

Combustion Air Diagnostics

According to NCI's Protocol, rising CO readings indicate combustion air or venting problems. In either case, flue gases are spilling into the space, requiring immediate attention. By measuring draft you can differentiate between venting and combustion air problems....

CO Monitor Sales Tips

We received two great tips on creative ways of selling Low-level Carbon Monoxide Monitors and using them to help close sales. The first tip is from NCT Member, John Jones of ABC HVAC CO., Clarkston, MI. When one of John's service techs offers the NSI 3000 low-level CO...

CO Monitor Interference

Over the years there have been many reports of CO Alarms and Monitors going off or showing low CO levels on their digital read outs and yet no detectable CO problems were uncovered. The problem here is that Monitors, Alarms, even Analyzers, using electrochemical...

CO and Combustion Diagnostics: Cause Versus Symptom

Jim Davis, Senior Instructor, National Comfort Institute When using the NCI Combustion Diagnostic Reports and Diagnostic Matrix, it is important to recognize the most likely defect/cause of the problem, versus a symptom that it creates. Specifically, a defect/cause is...

“Air Free” CO or “As Measured” Carbon Monoxide?

Jim Davis, Senior Instructor, National Comfort Institute "Air Free" CO or "As Measured" Carbon Monoxide? by Jim Davis The subject of carbon monoxide (CO) Air Free and As Measured is not new, but still causes confusion due to many conflicting protocols. ANSI standard...

CO & Combustion Repair Procedures

Many NCI members have requested that we include repair procedures in our member downloads. October's theme is CO and Combustion testing, so we have included some one-page repair procedures that you'll find helpful this fall while addressing heating system performance....

Check Ambient CO

Check Ambient CO While most IAQ problems can irritate you and your customer, Carbon Monoxide can kill. For your safety and to generate CO monitor sales, carry a low-level CO monitor with a digital readout to check CO levels on every service and sales call. Place a CO...

Carbon Monoxide- When It’s Hot, It’s Hot

Two questions that come up quite often in our seminars is "why take CO or Combustion readings in summer?," and "why take diagnostic training in the spring?" The thinking is "the heating season is over and by the time we use the information from class next fall, it...

Carbon Monoxide Test Numbers: What Do They Mean?

As you test for Carbon Monoxide and measure combustion efficiency, you'll begin to gather test numbers. Let's take a look at some of the standards, and what test results mean under different testing conditions. CARBON MONOXIDE IN AN OCCUPIED SPACE Reactions to various...