Heating Help

Electricians install oil tanks?

@ May 4, 2010 10:40 PM in Code distance from electrical panel to oil tank in Mass.?

Oh they don't? Then why the heck do THEY have it for code. It should be in our code book. I'm glad this was answered correctly and i'm sorry for mis informing you.

It still annoys me though it is not listed specifically in our code. It says you must allose safe access. So let's say i went and installed a tank not aware of the 36"/24" rule and put it let's say 18" in front but it still allowed for safe access. Then the fire department calls me on and it says i have to re-pipe the fill and vent to get the distance i need. Who would be in the wrong? Granted it's not a huge deal do nudge it over but it's still time and wasted meterial for a job that was already completed.

I agree with Big Ed

@ April 30, 2010 9:59 PM in garber filter gauge reading

especially with a garber. Those things filter so well they plug up faster than your standard rf-1 or rf-4.

There isn't one...

@ April 30, 2010 9:54 PM in Code distance from electrical panel to oil tank in Mass.?

CMR 527 4.03 says that the tank my not be placed any closer than 5 feet from the appliance it's feeding. Also is says it can not be placed where it will be heated in excess of 100 degrees F. All it says about electrical panels is that is shal not obstruct them and you have quick and safe access.
The distance that is will be upon the local fire department. Most like to see 2-3 feet so that is where the generalized assumption is comming from.
With just about every code law it can be interpeted in many different ways. Ask your fire department what they want to see and that's what it will be.

just change it.

@ April 28, 2010 8:44 PM in garber filter gauge reading

Save your money on the fittings and gauges and change it out yearly when the rest of the tune up is complete.
These filters aren't particularly expensive. Why go through all the hassle? Also i disagree with the general assumption of change out times of the filter by nozzle size. Nothing about the type of system was mentioned. Fuel passing through the filter will vary greatly on whether or not it is on a furnace, boiler with tankless, boiler without tankless, oil fired water heater, or any combination of them.

Al

@ April 15, 2010 5:20 PM in Whatcha Think?

I got the basics down in my hydronics. I don't do alot of installs i'm mainly only doing service calls. I went to school at Old Colony in Brockton. They basically teach you just enough to get your license. I've learned alot the 6 months I've been in the field. Still alot more to go though. I"m up for it.
I know of the site because we watched alot of Dan's videos in class. My teacher is a big fan.

Won't that gravity feed?

@ April 14, 2010 10:18 PM in Whatcha Think?

I"m an oil tech (pretty new) but what is stopping any gravity feeding of water and keeping zones from over heating? I do not see any flow checks or zone valves. Won't water feed right past those circulators? I'm not familiar with them, 99% of my dealings are with Taco 007.

Look at the whole picture...

@ April 12, 2010 7:05 PM in Dillema

You need to look at alot of aspects like what your bank statement is saying, how long you plan on being there, and what kind of condition is the  unit in now.
If you can afford a new higher efficiency unit and plan out getting some use out of it then go that route. If financially you're not ready to spend alot of cash just replace the coil. If your unit is ready to fall apart then wether you are rich or poor than i'd suggest trying to get the new unit.

Even though you not supposed to talk pricing i would estimate a new coil installed for about half the amount you have listed. Overall fuel saving in most cases aren't great but they do add up. Better efficiency and shorter run times with a new unit will keep the oil man at bay a little longer between fill ups.

Haven't had any issues

@ April 5, 2010 6:11 AM in Is Weil McClain a good boiler

I haven't come across a bad GO3 yet. We actually install a good amount of these boilers but we use the unit from JOMAR. They use the GO3 with there nameplate and because of that it is slightly discounted.

Anual tune ups

@ April 2, 2010 7:42 PM in oil-fired boiler shuts off periodically

These are key. Have an Oil Technician come in every year and clean the system. Alot of plumbers do no know what is involved with an oil burner. They have no problem piping it all in but when i comes to trouble shooting and maintanence go with an Oil Tech.

Our Tune up's include firstly an inspection or the heating system as a whole and also the oil delivery system. We then replace the tank filter, the strainer (if applicable), and the nozzle. In the process we clean everything on the inside and outside of the burner. Set the proper gap on electodes and set the Z dimension. We also will check the pump pressure and all of the electrical components if they are suspect ( reset issues or an ignition problem ). We then remove the smoke pipe and clean it and also brush and vaccum the boiler/furnace. After we perform a combustion analyzation of the flue gases and set the burner for optimum performance. We then test to be sure all the safety system of the heating unit are functioning properly.
After all this we call you in 11 months to schedule your next one.

I agree

@ March 31, 2010 4:57 PM in Im Stuck!

Lose the check valve and double check all your fittings to make sure no air is entering the line. Prime it and check to be sure all the air is gone before trying to run the unit.

Did you change the oil filter and strainer? (assuming it has one)

typical

@ March 30, 2010 10:30 PM in Finally stopped running

We have "customers" that use no heat calls for their tune up schedule. We tune it up and they run it until and doesn't work anymore. We are back out usually years later (unless a part fails) for another no heat/tune up. What they don't understand is for the small anual fee we charge they have long wasted that amount in incomplete combustion, and insulation via soot.

I wish i had pictures of a unit i did about 5 months back. It would make that one look new again. The smoke pipe was plugged solid as was the boiler. I don't know how the poor thing managed to run as long as it did.

I just checked FEMA

@ March 30, 2010 9:37 PM in Flooded oil burner

I couldn't find anything from FEMA or GAMA or anything else that said appliances MUST be replaced. It is recommended they be replaced but at the very least seviced by a qualified technician to make sure they are in proper working order.

Could you please post a link or some form of verification?

i don't think so.

@ March 29, 2010 10:26 PM in Flooded oil burner

I haven't heard anything about this. I checked 527 CMR 4.00 specifically 4.04 and i can't find anything on it. I just skimmed through but there wasn't any mention of it. With all the flooding we've been having latlely if this where code, there would be alot of new burners being put in.

soot Vac.

@ March 29, 2010 5:27 PM in soot vacuums

IMHO if you do not know exactly what a soot vac. is and why you use one, maybe you shouldn't be doing clean outs to begin with.

Are you also changning filters, strainers, nozzles? Do you have the a combustion analyzer, or the proper guages for setting the electrodes and z dimension?

To answer your question though. Soot vacs use a disposable bag which traps all of the particulate that gets sucked up. It also uses what is called a pancake which is a secondary filter in case something was to bypass the bag or the bag was to rip.