Combustion analyzer

[psyoung123]

A lot of HVAC books recommend using combustion analyzer to check the combustion air and CO. How do we adjust the primary, secondary, and excess air for furnaces 85% and higher? Thanks

[hvac1000]

First buy the combustion analyzer. Then follow the instructions as for usage. Next follow the manufactures instructions for the furnace you are testing. OR pay someone who knows what they are doing and as part of the deal they will use there analyzer so you will not have to buy one.

[thomefan2579]

call JIm Davis at NCI and attened his training seminar and then you will know how

[Jim Davis]

The analyzer instructions will teach you how to turn in on and off. The equipment manufacturers instructions will teach you how to turn it on and off.

I just made a list of the 25 diagnostic tools or functions and combustion analyzer is capable of and the 18 test out verification tools that it contains, which I am presenting at Comfortech this year. But obviously will not be able to explain how each is totally used in the field.

You can call me any time but to become proficient at using an analyzer to its true ability you will need to come to class. http://www.nationalcomfortinstitute.com

[hvac1000]

You are absolutely correct Jim. It took me some time when I was a young guy to learn and now I am an old guy and I am still learning. That is why I answered his question the way I did. Unless you are going to be using that tool in your business it is not worth going to all the cost and trouble to learn how to use it. It is far cheaper to pay a pro.

[psyoung123]

Thanks Jim, Just to make sure. So, is that correct if I made an assumption the combustion analyzer is a must for professional gas fitter.

[desol]

Unless it's an 87...it's most likely going to be a 90...which is most likely condensing...which is most likely direct vent(but not necessarily)...so you won't have to WORRY about primary, secondary and excess air, if it's direct vent. Most mid's or higher are designed to pull in the correct AMOUNT of air and aren't intended to be adjusted...it's not like old conventional furnaces with air shutters and such. Just make sure nothing is blocking the airflow/ducts/burners going into the furnace door...nothing is blocking the combustion air pot...and everything is CLEAN...and you should be fine.

If you need your vent air examined...you should have somone come in with a bacharach...that can tell you EXACTLY what your furnace is putting out...and what it's efficiency is.

[Jim Davis]

Originally posted by psyoung123
Thanks Jim, Just to make sure. So, is that correct if I made an assumption the combustion analyzer is a must for professional gas fitter.

Absolutely!! No one should touch a heating appliance of any type without an analyzer and the knowledge on how to use it. I call this "unwanted endangerment" when they don't use one.

An analyzer cannot tell you the efficiency of anything. It makes bogus miscalculations based on theoretical programming of nonexistent parameters. By using other measured data we can more accurately determine the equipment efficiency and then go a step farther and measure the whole system fficiency.