Even new high efficiency boilers need maintenance. Many would think that if you have brand new equipment that you have a few years to wait until maintenance is required. Unfortunately, that is not the case, especially with high efficiency boilers.

Here is an example:

Last winter we received a call for service due to no heat. The customer had a high efficiency boiler which was just over a year old. They had not had any preventative maintenance performed, since its installation earlier in the year. Upon arrival our service tech discovered that components of the boiler had literally melted (see photo above). Upon further inspection it was discovered that the ignitor had failed and someone in the customer’s organization was repeatedly resetting the boiler to try and keep it lit. The repeated process caused over-heating and melting of some of the components.

With a preventative maintenance contract this issue could have been avoided, saving money for the organization in the long run. Ignitors and flame rods are replaced yearly during maintenance which would have prevented the occurrence.

During a typical service, we flush the system using a cleaner that removes any build up in the system such as calcification from the condensation.  We also brush the system to further remove any build up that will lead to poor heat exchange or blockages of the fins. The fins in the boiler are checked to make sure they are clean and a tool is run between each fin to remove any build up. Plugged fins can lead to poor heat transfer and hot spots in the boiler heat exchanger.

Even if you have a brand new high efficiency boiler it is important to schedule preventative maintenance. Not only can things breakdown or melt, but a high efficiency boiler that is not properly maintained can be running far lower than the 95% efficiency you expected. The heating season is fast approaching. Having preventative maintenance performed in advance will help to ensure that your equipment is running safely and efficiently.

The post The Importance of High Efficiency Boiler Maintenance appeared first on Controlled Air, Inc..

Filters that are not changed regularly enough will eventually stop filtering the air. A plugged filter will sometimes collapse and get pulled out of its filter track. Air can now bypass the filter and accumulate in coils, fan wheels and ductwork. Dirty coils and fan wheels reduce the performance of the equipment.

Secondly, dirty filters can reduce the air flow through a heating or cooling system. Reduced air flow will cause heat exchangers to run hotter and cooling coils to run colder than they were designed to. Uncorrected, this will lead to shortened life expectancy or failure of the equipment.

Filters vary in quality performance and price. Selecting the proper filter to meet the requirements at the most economical price is important. Filter performance is based on required air quality, equipment, and occupancy. Make sure that if you do not have a maintenance contract that you change your filters often based on the requirements of your equipment and facility. This could be as often as once a month to once a year. Clean air filters and proper maintenance will lead to happier employees, customers, and longer equipment life.

The post Remember to Change Your Air Filters appeared first on Controlled Air, Inc..

Geothermal heat pumps use this natural energy to heat and cool water circulated through an underground loop. In the winter the water is run through the loop underground and is warmed by the earth’s heat and then brought to the system in the building that then delivers the heat. It is much easier for the system to capture heat from soil of a moderate temperature than from the frigid air outside in winter. In the summer the heat is gather from inside the building and then run underground where the heat is absorbed by the earth and then cooler water is then brought back to the system to create cool air. Conversely, in summer, the relatively cool ground absorbs waste heat more readily than warm outdoor air.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, geothermal energy is the most energy-efficient system of air handling and can lower energy costs by 25 to 40 percent, with fewer emissions, lower maintenance and no danger of underground contaminants. There is also a reduced use of refrigerants.
One very important aspect of Geothermal heating and cooling is the system which controls it. Just like any other form of heating and cooling it needs strict controls to run at optimum efficiency. Not too long ago we got a new customer with a geothermal system where the controls were never set up properly. This meant that the system ran inefficiently and the utility bills were extremely high. It they finely got so fed up that they sought us out. We designed and installed a custom controls system for the geothermal system they already had installed, allowing great control and efficiency. So with that being said it is not enough just to install an “energy efficient” form of heating and cooling if it is not done properly.

The post Geothermal Heating & Cooling appeared first on Controlled Air, Inc..