February 15th, 2010
Its not very often I get a chance to replace 2 hot water heaters with a tankless, something I love to do. Apparently 1 of the State HWT’s was leaking into its drain pan, obviously a concern. Seeing how both tanks are of the same age the customer decided it was time to replace both tanks at the same time. Because of venting costs and the overall application I proposed the Navien NR-210A.
Existing State Hot Water Tanks
As you can see the 2 tanks sat side by side, they where piped in series (not a big fan) and there is a recirculating pump as well. If you look close you can see where someone took 1 of the tanks out of series because of the leak.
New Navien NR-210A
The Navien installed perfectly where the older tanks sat, the PVC vent exited out sidewall about 40 feet horizontally. The only concern I had was the re-circulator pump, should I stay with the existing pump or use the naviens internal pump. The difference being the Navien pump is rated for about 12-16 feet, we where pushing the limits. As it turned out the Navien pump worked great!
Final note is when I test fired the Navien NR-210A the existing condensate drain over spilled, this is the same line that the hot water tank drained into as well as the high efficient gas furnace. After clearing the plugged drain I realized what the previous company did not, the furnace was draining into the hot water pan causing excess water in the pan. This of coarse would look like a hot water tank leak!
Need a Heat Pump, Air Conditioner, Furnace, Boiler or Tankless Water Heater? I install them all over Skagit county including Mount Vernon WA, Burlington WA, Anacortes, Sedro Woolley, La Conner, Stanwood WA, and on Camano Is.
Tags: navien, skagit county, takagi, tankless, Water Heater, water heaters
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February 8th, 2010
This heat Pump was kinda a head scratcher for me, not because the Carrier Heat Pump we replaced was only 10 years old, but the company that put this in is usually very customer orientated and for some reason let this one fall to the way side. The customer had been having issues with the system since day 1, and for some reason this company could not fix the problem. Maybe the technicians that had been coming out every year after year trying to remedy the problem did not understand air flow …or maybe the head office did not want the burden of dealing with the real problem. Never the less they lost a customer!
Existing Carrier Air Handler
I must apologize for the picture above, I forgot my camera so I must resort to a picture my technician took when we he was called out. Everything he found on the system suggested they where trying workarounds, meaning not dealing with the real issue. The real issue being lack of airflow, the system could not deliver the air needed for the heat pump.
New American Standard Heat Pump
The solution above, an American Standard variable speed air handler. Even though the existing air handler was rated for the job, it could not push the air needed through the existing ducting. BUT this air handler is designed to do just that.
New American Standard Heat Pump
The American Standard heat Pump above is a perfect match for the indoor handler and existing home. The existing refer lines where flushed clean to switch over to the R410a refrigerant.
Alpine Heating And Cooling Vans
Later in the day the sun hit my vans just perfect for a picture. After all it was a perfect day, I gained a happy customer, the customer got a quality matched system with no air flow issues and I got home on time :)
Need a Heat Pump, Air Conditioner, Furnace, Boiler or Tankless Water Heater? I install them all over Skagit county including Mount Vernon WA, Burlington WA, Anacortes, Sedro Woolley, La Conner, Stanwood WA, and on Camano Is.
Tags: American Standard, heat, Heat Pump, heater, heating, Heatpump, skagit county
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January 26th, 2010
Can you imagine trusting a mechanical contractor you hired over Craig’s list to install a room heater in your living room while you where at work? These people came home to a full sized furnace installed in their living room, all they wanted was a room heater. Can you imagine trying to watch TV as this furnace ramps up to heat your home? Now imagine that you paid him in FULL already!
Furnace in living room.
I actually looked up the contractor who installed this furnace, he has no contractor license, he has no bond, he is not insured and on his proposal he asked the check to be made out in his personal name! Even though on his invoice he is clearly charging tax! Normally I would be the first in line to turn this contractor in, but the customer is trying to get his money back and I do not want to intervene.
PLEASE when hiring a contractor, do a little homework.
Need a Heat Pump, Air Conditioner, Furnace, Boiler or Tankless Water Heater? I install them all over Skagit county including Mount Vernon WA, Burlington WA, Anacortes, Sedro Woolley, La Conner, Stanwood WA, and on Camano Is.
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January 5th, 2010
A bomb in the making, a 35 year old hydronic boiler with failed safeties converted this low pressure water boiler to a high pressure steam boiler. Fortunately no one got hurt when this boiler decided to shake the house and let everyone know it was time for it to be replaced!
Older American Standard Boiler
Boilers to me are the most fascinating piece of equipment in the Heating world, but not just the boiler itself… the entire hydronic system in the home. Every hydronic system is unique in design and a challenge to diagnose at times. But in this case its was very obvious what needed to be done…replacement.
New Weil McLAIN Boiler
The new Weil McLAIN CGa boiler fit right into position, the access was no longer from the side facing the HWT but towards the front. This gives the service technician better access. The new Pressure/Temperature gauge now is visible. I added dielectric unions to fight electrolysis’s …and also added shutoff valves.
Need a Heat Pump, Air Conditioner, Furnace, Boiler or Tankless Water Heater? I install them all over Skagit county including Mount Vernon WA, Burlington WA, Anacortes, Sedro Woolley, La Conner, Stanwood WA, and on Camano Is.
Tags: Boiler, heat, heater, heating, Weil McLAIN
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January 1st, 2010
This 80% Rheem was ready for the recycle bin, the customer needed the furnace to be reliable because of their trips away from the home during the winters and this older Rheem was not cutting it. I am surprised it made it this long to tell you the truth.
Older Rheem 80%
The Rheem above was having board issues causing erratic behavior. No sense in throwing good money into a bad piece of equipment.
New American Standard 95% 2 Stage Variable Speed.
Not only is the newer American Standard 95% 2 stage variable speed furnace a quieter piece of equipment, it is a lot more efficient over the Rheem 80%. Now my customer can feel secure in knowing they have a reliable furnace and save some money.
New custom 4" filter rack
Seeing how there was no access for a Honeywell 4″ pleated filter system because of the venting directly in front of the return ducting, I custom made a 4″ filter frame that is accessible from the side of the unit.
Need a Heat Pump, Air Conditioner, Furnace, Boiler or Tankless Water Heater? I install them all over Skagit county including Mount Vernon WA, Burlington WA, Anacortes, Sedro Woolley, La Conner, Stanwood WA, and on Camano Is.
Tags: 95% 2 stage, American Standard, Filtering, Furnace, heat, heating
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January 1st, 2010
I really tried to help this customer out, … I even offered without even taking the tarp off to trade for what ever is under that tarp for a new heating system … but some customers want to hold onto their old relics just the same.
Customers Road Runner 67?
This older Heil 90% furnace has seen its last days, the customer made a decision to replace the furnace this year to take advantage of the tax credits and rebates before its to late. Good Choice, the CNG rebated ended 12-31-09
Older Heil 90% furnace
Even though the Heil 90% furnace pictured above looks like a clean install, there are a few things that I should point out. 1) not only is the furnace push up against the wall, it was literally screwed to the wall… making for a great noise transfer system. 2) as pictured below, there was no rail on the right hand side for support or means for sealing.
Existing base can.
Existing base can with new rail
As you can see in the picture above I installed a new rail on the right hand side of the base can. This will give us added support and a place to add sealant.
New American Standard 95% 2 Stage Variable Speed
Here we have the new American Standard 95% 2 Stage Variable Speed furnace. I made sure we had no connection to the wall, eliminating direct noise transfer and replaced 2 transitions on top of the furnace … making for a very clean install. We also connected the existing condensate line to an existing drain line. The existing line just dripped under the home… not good.
Need a Heat Pump, Air Conditioner, Furnace, Boiler or Tankless Water Heater? I install them all over Skagit county including Mount Vernon WA, Burlington WA, Anacortes, Sedro Woolley, La Conner, Stanwood WA, and on Camano Is.
Tags: 95% 2 stage, American Standard, Furnace, heat, heater, heating
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January 1st, 2010
OK … I do not want to scare anyone and or especially any of my customers … BUT if you have a Payne furnace and its just like the model in the picture below .. have us do a safety inspection ASAP. If you’re already one of my customers, chances are we have already done a safety inspection on your Payne furnace … but keep up on your yearly maintenance’s.
1994 80% Payne furnace.
Pictured above is the dead 1994 80% Payne furnace.
American Standard 2 stage 95% variable speed
Here we have the much more efficient American Standard 95% 2 stage Variable speed furnace. I had to raise the unit 8″ to make sure the existing plenum was not blocking of any air flow, then added a transition and filter access door above the unit for easier access. When we finally got done it was 49 degrees … in the home.
Need a Heat Pump, Air Conditioner, Furnace, Boiler or Tankless Water Heater? I install them all over Skagit county including Mount Vernon WA, Burlington WA, Anacortes, Sedro Woolley, La Conner, Stanwood WA, and on Camano Is.
Tags: 95% 2 stage, American Standard, Furnace, heat, heater, heating
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January 1st, 2010
I wish I could have responded sooner, but one of my customers found out their furnace needed to be replaced the day before Christmas. Unfortunately I could not get a furnace until the following Monday, leaving them to rely on their wood stove for heat … I rested a little better knowing they had back up heat.
American Standard 95% 2-stage Variable Speed
Now realize I took this picture just as I was ready to leave, once again almost forgetting to take a picture at all … we had already pushed back the tool box and re-hung the bike from the ceiling. As I took the picture I really did know if i would post it or not … but then I thought it would actually show people how close you can snug things up to an American Standard 95% 2 Stage Variable Speed furnace. This furnace draws its combustion air from the top of the unit, limiting the clearance needed in front and on the sides.
I also want to point out the filter door above the unit, some customers like their current filter setup but want easier access to them. I cut in a simple filter access door that allows the customer to access the filter without reaching into the furnace or removing screws.
Need a Heat Pump, Air Conditioner, Furnace, Boiler or Tankless Water Heater? I install them all over Skagit county including Mount Vernon WA, Burlington WA, Anacortes, Sedro Woolley, La Conner, Stanwood WA, and on Camano Is.
Tags: 95% 2 stage, American Standard, Furnace, heat, heater, heating
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December 13th, 2009
Yet another Rheem 80% being replaced with an American Standard 95%. This unit was getting to costly to repair so the owner decided it was time for a new furnace, good choice. I hate seeing good money being spent on bad equipment.
Older Rheem 80% Furnace Location
It was early and cold when we arrived and I had forgotten to snap a “before” picture before we started, but got a picture just after the unit was removed. What reminded me was seeing the poor seal job the previous installer did on the take offs in the base can.
Existing Base Can.
As the picture shows above, there are gaps around the takeoffs and no sealant used, meaning a lot of hot air escaping into the crawl space. Id say about 50% of the base cans look like this when you pull the furnace. VERY wasteful.
New American Standard 95% Variable 2-stage
And above we have the new American Standard 95% Variable Speed 2 Stage gas furnace installed with a new Honeywell F100 4″ Filter bank On top of it. And yes we sealed the takeoffs before setting the new furnace.
Need a Heat Pump, Air Conditioner, Furnace, Boiler or Tankless Water Heater? I install them all over Skagit county including Mount Vernon WA, Burlington WA, Anacortes, Sedro Woolley, La Conner, Stanwood WA, and on Camano Is.
Tags: American Standard, Furnace, heat, heater, heating, Honeywell, skagit county
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December 13th, 2009
Changing a 80% gas furnace out and replacing it with an American Standard 80% can not get any easier … unless you really enjoy adding the Honeywell F100 4″ Pleated filter bank on to the system, then it takes a little longer.
Older Payne unit
Here you see the older Payne 80% gas furnace. This particular age and model are prone to heat exchanger cracks and should be shut down immediately if found.
New American Standard 80%
If you look under the new furnace in the picture above you will see a new piece ducting. This duct is called a base can transition, this transition allows a wider furnace to be installed on a smaller can, some of the older brands where not as wide. And you will also notice the new Honeywell F100 4″ filter bank added above the new furnace.
Need a Heat Pump, Air Conditioner, Furnace, Boiler or Tankless Water Heater? I install them all over Skagit county including Mount Vernon WA, Burlington WA, Anacortes, Sedro Woolley, La Conner, Stanwood WA, and on Camano Is.
Tags: American Standard, coleman furnace, heat, heater, heating, Honeywell
Posted in Filtering, Furnace | No Comments »
