It used to be that fossil fuel-burning home appliances could be adequately serviced by conducting visual tests.
But with today's regulatory, environmental and safety concerns ~ as well as the risk residential service technicians now face
with possible liability ~ "eye-balling the flame" is no longer a sufficient way to test.
The truth is, an appliance that shows a pretty blue flame is probably not burning efficiently. It could,
in fact, be burning more fuel than is necessary, adding soot to the system, or more importantly, emitting toxic gases that could
eventually put your customers, you ~ and your business ~ in real danger.
Electronic Combustion Testing. A smart, simple & safe alternative.
The good news is there are electronic analyzers available today that utilize gas sensor technology. These
instruments allow you to precisely measure the components of combustion. There is no guesswork involved. No charts, tables,
slide rules or calculators. Electronic gas analyzers measure the products of combustion continuously. Only with this data
can you properly test and adjust a heating appliance or show an appliance needs replaced. Once an appliance is properly
adjusted it will burn fuel more efficiently, which means less fuel will be used to satisfy the heat demand. Toxic gases,
if present will be detected, smoke will be minimized, and the appliance will operate better.
See the difference for yourself...
When you weigh your options, it's clear that measuring combustion efficiency electronically is the better way.
Consider each test method...
Visual Test or "Eye-Balling the Flame"
A visual test is quick, but does not serve your customer unless you observe flame rollover. It requires no
combustion analyzer. However, a visual test also offers no concrete data, no precise flue gas measurements, and cannot detect
harmful, toxic emissions. Therefore, when it comes to servicing a heating appliance, there's a lot of guesswork
involved. Because human error is inherent in this test method, problems will go undetected.
Mechanical Tests
Mechanical tests involve the use of individual draft gauges, thermometers, CO Stain length tubes, and
CO2 Fyrite wet chemical absorption instruments. To compute combustion efficiency the individual "snapshot" measurements are
entered on a slide rule calculator. This 70 year old method is accurate but slow, and subject to more measurement rules than
electronic analyzers. It is only a sample test, not a continuous test!
Electronic Tests
An electronic test is conducted with the aid of an electronic combustion analyzer. Speed, ease of use,
automatic CONTINUOUS sampling, automatic calculations and automatic report generation are all advantages of electronic combustion
analyzers. Electronic analyzers also provide individual displays of O2, CO, temperature, draft, etc. which allow immediate
and independent analysis of each adjustment made on a combustion appliance.
The continuous readings make adjustment easier and lets you identify light off and regulating problems. Test results
appear on the analyzer's display, and can be instantly transferred to an infrared printer ~ the test data can be recorded
on paper. Because the test data is accurate and there is no human errors, the before and after printouts can show the
value of your service. The time saved is money in your pocket.
More reasons to test electronically.
Accuracy and Improved Customer Relations.
When you work with precise data, you'll service appliances properly the first time. With a print out of test results,
you can better educate your customers. In the end, you will be saving your customer's time and money with a better test
method ~ and service record.
Greater Productivity.
When you test with an electronic device, you will get accurate test data quickly. You will be able to service appliances
thoroughly, and immediately, which can significantly reduce the rate of call-backs you experience.
Protection against liability.
Because electronic devices often offer optional printer interfaces, you are able to capture and document test results
for immediate and future use. These records can prove to be invaluable should liability issues arise.
Enhanced Professionalism.
When you use an electronic testing device, you give your customers greater peace of mind knowing that the data you
are working with is accurate. And when you share a print out of that data, customers will have more confidence in you
and your analysis ~ something your competition might not offer.
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