"There's likely nasty exhaust fumes coming out of the vent, but it's OK since the economizer is probably inoperable anyway." Photo submitted by: Justin Bright, NCI Southern California Submit either your best or worst HVAC system photos to stevev @ ncihvac.com for...
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Pocket Thermometer Diagnostics
Pocket thermometers can be very effective in demonstrating that an appliance is not venting properly, and spillage is occurring. When an appliance is operating correctly, the burner area of the heater should be drawing in room air or combustion air for proper burning....
Mechanical Venting vs. Mechanical Combustion Air
Mechanical combustion air is the only proven way to provide adequate combustion air to appliances under most field conditions. There are, however, certain cases where because of the size of a mechanical room, the amount of internal forces in a building or mechanical...
Make-Up Air Equals IAQ, Safety, Comfort & Efficiency
Most homes are already leaky and drafty so why would you want to bring in more outside air into the duct system? Because that's the best place to bring it in! Normally the air that comes into buildings, leaks through the walls, windows, doors, electrical outlets,...
Fresh Air for Ventilation and Building Pressurization
Adding fresh air to a heating or cooling system accomplishes two primary indoor air quality goals: It helps control building pressures and improves indoor air quality by diluting polluted or stale indoor air. Outside air enters the system through a roof or sidewall...
Induced Draft & Atmospheric Common Venting Interference
When an Induced Draft Appliance (Furnace, Boiler, Water Heater) is "Common Vented" with an Atmospheric Appliance, venting interference can occur. This procedure is the proper method to evaluate this situation and take all precautions to verify safety. Necessary tools...
How to Adjust Barometric Dampers on Gas-Fired Appliances
The procedure and purpose for adjusting barometric dampers for gas appliances is completely different from the reason you adjust barometric dampers on oil equipment. Let's take a look at each method to get a clearer picture of what we're trying to accomplish. OIL...
Do You Know How External Filter Racks Impact Total External Static Pressure?
Do You Know How External Filter Racks Impact Total External Static Pressure? A few weeks ago I was asked a question about finding the proper location to obtain the entering static pressure reading on an upflow gas furnace using an external filter rack. This is one of...
Duct Leakage in Mechanical Rooms and CO
Mechanical rooms housing heating equipment are required to maintain a neutral or slightly positive pressure to prevent combustion gasses from being pulled back down the flue into the room. The only appliances that this would not affect would be sealed combustion or...
Draft Testing Done Right!
Many of us have been taught that if draft in the flue is .02" W.C. or higher, everything is working fine. This is a very dangerous assumption because you don't have enough information to make an educated diagnosis. Remember, none of the above methods can differentiate...
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