samedi 8 septembre 2018

High-Efficiency Gas Furnace And Forced Air Zone Controls

By Michelle McDonald


It is not always the manufacturer or the seller s fault when the product they sold to you doesn t perform as rated. Yes, it may have happened that you got it already in a damaged state, but that is not always the case. The product may get damaged during the installation process. Furnaces are very expensive so mistakes during installation should be avoided. Below is a summary of the steps to follow during high-efficiency gas furnace installation; these steps apply only on retrofitting projects with forced air zone controls.

For a successful installation, a process consisting of 4 steps should be followed. The first step of the process is called the pre-Changeout phase; this is performed before the purchase of the furnace and other sub-elements. A contractor responsible for the installation project has to check the old system and take necessary measurements and give the homeowner a quote of how much the project is going to cost. The contractor can t give a quote before assessing the old system, if they do then they might overcharge or undercharge the homeowner.

Examples of activities performed during this phase include heat calculations and old ductwork assessments. Heat calculations are crucial because they assist the contractors to estimate the amount of energy output needed from the new furnace, then they will know which one to buy. Furthermore, the new system has to fit well with the old ductwork; that is why an assessment is needed prior to purchasing a new furnace.

After the pre-Changeout phase, the contractor will know which furnace to buy then the next step (installation) may then begin. There are two important things to always keep in mind during this phase, manufacture s installation instructions and the Health and Safety Regulations Act. Reference to these two should be made throughout the process to ensure a safe and successful installation.

Three things that can lead to a poor installation are the improper connection of the old and new ductwork, turbulent air flow and acid-caused corrosion. So the contractor should be very careful when installing the ductwork to avoid any air leakage that may occur, aluminium tape has been proven to solve this problem. Turbulent air flow can be prevented by using turning vines and/or tapering. Corrosion is caused when the furnace is not installed smoothly, so the contractor should ensure that they level it well.

Once the furnace is installed, a certified gas fitter should be called to confirm and/or modify the new system so that it meets the manufacturer and the owner s performance requirements. This is the commissioning phase, the process involves checking individual system components like wiring and filters, checking the air pressure, temperature rise, static pressure and firing rate, and finally recording all these in a checklist before making the necessary modifications.

The homeowner should be given that checklist and if it shows that some modifications are needed, he/she should tell the contractor which installed the furnace. The last step should be taken by the contractor and it involves informing the homeowners about what to do when maintenance is needed, the warranty and how to use the furnace.

A successful installation is guaranteed if these steps are followed.




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