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FAQ

  • Frequently Asked Questions

    • What are some preventative measures I can take to avoid this from happening in my home?
      Scheduling frequent maintenance as we said previously is very important. Also you (the homeowner) should always be aware of the “boiler room” conditions. Keep the area around the boiler free of objects which are flammable or which could obstruct the flow of air into and around the boiler. Do not store or use sources of hydrocarbons such as bleaches, fabric softeners, paints, cleaners, or cat boxes near the boiler. Traces of these chemicals can be drawn into the boiler, causing severe corrosion damage to the boiler. Visually inspect boiler controls, any sight of mud, sludge, or grease in water sight glass is an indication of services needed IMMEDIATELY.
    • What is Carbon Monoxide and how does it affect me?
      Carbon Monoxide is formed by the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels- (Gas which in most cases provides the fuel in order for your boiler to function). Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, POISONOUS gas. Throughout each heating season many families have fell victim to this HAZARDOUS gas due to improper maintenance of their heating unit. It happens thousands of times – ILLNESS or even DEATH from CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING.
    • Why is maintenance so important?
      Poor Maintenance or installation of your heating unit can result in Carbon Monoxide leakage throughout your home.
    • Does my heating unit require maintenance services
      Absolutely yes! It is Imperative that you (the homeowner) work with a QUALIFIED gas technician throughout the heating season to maintain your heating unit. Here is an idea of things that should be visually inspected on a monthly basis (during the season) – Deterioration of the visible controls, wiring and sheet metal components, Water leaks, Carbon (“soot”) in or near the burner compartment area.
    • What is a boiler, and what is its purpose in my home?
      A boiler is a vessel used to heat water thru extreme pressure. At the completion of this process, the liquid is now converted to heated vapors, now ready to be used in various processes to heat your home and utilities. Your boiler works simultaneously with your hot water tank- which allows a constant supply of hot water to be dispersed accordingly throughout your home.

  • Glossary

    • Flame sensors
      A furnace flame sensor is a specialized safety component that is located inside of the burner assembly of a furnace. It detects and confirms whether or not there is a flame burning inside of the furnace.
    • Transformers
      Any furnace that uses voltage other than standard commercial power needs a transformer. Whether for home or industrial furnaces, the transformer changes the voltage of the input power to a different voltage for use within the furnace.
    • Thermostat
      A thermostat is a thermometer attached to a set point relay, which sends a signal to the boiler. The thermostat monitors the temperature in a target area. If the temperature falls below a preset temperature, the thermostat sends a signal to the boiler controller to initiate light off.
    • Thermocouple
      The thermocouple is a gas furnace component located near the pilot light burner. It is a safety device that shuts off the gas if the pilot light goes out or the electric igniter fails.
    • Spill switch
      A spill switch is a device designed to sense and correct unsafe venting of combustion gases from a gas-fired appliance into a building.
    • Spark electrictrode
      The spark electrode is essentially a spark plug placed directly in the path of the low-pressure gas flowing from the pilot light jet.
    • Relays
      The relay on a boiler is the part of the boiler system which triggers the boiler to release heat when the thermostat calls for it.
    • Regulators
      Draft regulators or barometric dampers are devices used to regulate the draft on oil-fired furnaces, boilers, and water heaters.
    • Pressurtrol
      A pressuretrol is a control used to control a steam boiler, by setting when the boiler should begin and end firing based on steam pressure.
    • Pressure relief valve
      The boiler pressure relief valve (PRV) is a safety valve designed to relieve an excessive build-up of pressure inside the boiler.
    • Pressure gauge
      A pressure gauge is used to indicate the steam pressure of the boiler. It is also called a steam gauge. It is usually mounted in the front top of the steam drum.
    • Pilot burner
      A small burner kept lighted to rekindle the principal burner.
    • Pigtail
      It is a short, curved, and very appropriately named, piece of pipe that sits under a gauge or a pressuretrol. It has two jobs. Its first job is to fill with water and keep the latent heat of steam from reaching through to the gauge or the pressuretrol.
    • Vent Damper
      It is a valve or plate that stops or regulates the flow of air inside a duct, chimney, VAV box, air handler, or other air-handling equipment. A damper may be used to cut off the central air conditioning (heating or cooling) to an unused room or to regulate it for room-by-room temperature and climate control.
    • Lower water cut off
      A low-water cutoff is a mechanical device (usually a float switch) that is used to turn off the burner or shut off fuel to a boiler to prevent it from running once the water drops below a certain point. If a boiler is “dry-fired” (burned without water in it) it can suffer rupture or catastrophic failure.
    • Gas valves
      Gas valves are flow control devices used to handle and control the flow of gases such as liquefied petroleum, oxygen, and sour and natural gas. They are available in a variety of metal or plastic materials that are compatible with the media controlled and pressure requirements.
    • Electric spark pack
      An electric spark is an abrupt electrical discharge that occurs when a sufficiently high electric field creates an ionized, electrically conductive channel through a normally-insulating medium, often air or other gases or gas mixtures.
    • Hot water tank pressure relief valve
      It’s a valve that relieves excess pressure in the water heater tank. By doing so, it can prevent excessive pressure buildup that has the potential to cause a tank to burst and flood your home. It’s an unheralded but essential safety mechanism for your water heater.
    • Drain off Cocks
      A tap or valve used to draw off water.
    • Circulation Pumps
      A circulator pump or circulating pump is a specific type of pump used to circulate gases, liquids, or slurries in a closed circuit. They are commonly found circulating water in a hydronic heating or cooling system.
    • Burner
      The burner initiates the combustion reaction within the boiler. Thermostats send messages to the burner electronically when the system needs to produce heat. Fuel is pumped by a filter mechanism to the boiler from an outside source — often an adjacent fuel tank. A nozzle on the burner turns this fuel into a fine spray and ignites it, creating the reaction in the combustion chamber.
    • Blower Motor
      A blower motor is a component within a home’s HVAC system. The motor blows heated air through vents when the heating system is in use. Conversely, some blower motors blow cold air when the air conditioning system is in use. There are two main types of blower motors: single-speed motors and variable-speed motors.
    • A&B Valves
      A 2-way valve is any type of valve with two ports: an inlet and an outlet port, typically labeled “A” and “AB” respectively. 2-way valves are used in many applications, from basic on/off to more complex variable flow applications with pumps and VFDs. If piped in the return, a mixing valve is used.
    • Automatic water fill
      The automatic water feed valve reduces the incoming water pressure from the building supply-side down to (typically) 12 psi. That’s because the normal in-boiler water pressure, when the heating boiler is cold, is about 12 psi in a normal residential system
    • Aquastat
      An aquastat is a device used in hydronic heating systems for controlling water temperature. To prevent the boiler from firing too often, aquastats have a high limit temperature and a low limit. If the thermostat is calling for heat, the boiler will fire until the high limit is reached, then shut off.
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