Arkansas HVACR NewsMagazine January 2023

HVACR NewsMagazine January 2023

Tech News

8. Visually inspect all pressure ports and hoses.

those conditions and address them. To learn more about flame sensing and testing flame sensors, I recommend checking out THIS article. In the case of standing pilot assemblies, you will want to make sure that the thermocouple is proving flame and keeping the pilot valve open during operation (and closed when not operating). Thermocouples are made of dissimilar metals that warp when exposed to heat; unlike flame sensors, thermocouples actually produce current when the metal warps. To learn more about testing thermocouples, check out THIS article. 6. Check and clean out the condensate trap. If you're working on a high-efficiency gas furnace, you need to be able to keep the condensate trap in good condition. Traps can potentially get blocked and require cleaning on EVERY maintenance call, even if that just means flushing water through the drain and making sure it flows properly through all the ports. Although this step is important for all furnace types, it's especially critical for LP systems. Make sure the power is OFF before you inspect the burners for damage and clean them. In most cases, a soft-bristled brush works well for the surface, compressed air will blow debris out of the interior, and a thorough wipe with a damp rag works well to finish up the cleaning. 7. Check and clean the burners.

While you're checking major components, be sure to remember the ports associated with pressure switches. Combustion debris, spiderwebs, and other forms of small debris can make their way into these ports, leading to partial blockages that obstruct airflow. You'll want to make sure these ports are clear. It's also a good idea to inspect the hoses for cracks or breaks and then blow through the connection hoses to ensure that they are clear. Although standard 80% gas furnaces typically have one heat exchanger, high-efficiency furnaces have a primary and a secondary heat exchanger. No matter how many heat exchangers the furnace has, be sure to inspect those for cracks, which can lead to deadly carbon monoxide poisoning if left unchecked. Testing is the bread and butter of a good maintenance procedure; after all, now is the time to make sure your equipment is running properly. Before you get into the thick of testing, it's best to make sure you're familiar with the way the equipment operates. 9. Inspect the heat exchanger(s). Prepare for testing

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