Best Of

Re: Plumbing and Heating Mechanic Needed for Residential Service Work in NJ.

Some of the brightest, brilliant, eager, young people at my company have major ink work and purple hair. I love working with them.

We get along well because I have silver hair, black makeup (soot) and scars.

SlamDunk

2

Re: Plumbing and Heating Mechanic Needed for Residential Service Work in NJ.

John, what you need is an up and comer that loves the trade more than he loves his wife, then train him. When you go to a job and you and him encounter a failed situation, query him as to the problem and the solution. Then let him fix it with your guidance. He will learn more than if you fix it, yourself, or a lecture. In house training is important. Do like Ray Wohlfarth has done present it as problem/solution. It's like a game that stretches the imagination. I will remember his last problem and solution until I get alzheimer's.
That's what I like about this site. It's learning thru problem and solution even tho those posting on this site don't always post the problem accurately.

Go to the trade college in your area and offer an internship with a low compensation. If I were 20 yrs old, again, I'd jump at the chance. In fact, that's what my daughter did before she graduated from the School of Engineering at Cornell University. I guess, I'm bragging.

HomerJSmith

2

Re: How to turn off a boiler for the summer?

Light the pilot before turning the power back on. There should be a Rollout switch attached to the access panel and it will easily short to ground while removing it to light the pilot. Ask me how I know.

HVACNUT

1

Re: trio boiler and Beckett burner

I agree with @STEVEusaPA...

Oh no, there goes my reputation...lol

STEVEusaPA

2

Re: The Case of the Snapped Relief Valve, This weeks case for Friday

@EdTheHeaterMan I swear to goodness that my very first thought was a kid on a tricycle riding past it and hitting it with his rear wheel. I guess we both must have had lots of playtime in basements!

ethicalpaul

2

Re: Heating Load - Rules of Thumb

Heat loss calculations matter less when using a modulating condensing boiler, the whole point of which is to load match using integral logic and a regulating gas valve.
And while I'm at it, I absolutely believe there is something to be said for adding a significant fudge factor. A building that can't heat because someone likes to open a window at night, some exhaust fan is left on too long, or some abnormally cold and windy weather sticks around becomes a problem far beyond overshooting your heat load by 20% and being prepared for unforeseen conditions. I've never gotten a final payment because my calculations were dead on. I've had payments withheld because I can't maintain 74° on a weeklong stretch of single-degree weather. Try fixing that once the system is in place.
I can agree with some of that, but managing expectations during the bid and explaining what the system can and can not do is important too. I'd explain what the system should do at design temp. Just like I would explain for AC that if the design temp is 95°, that means your house is expected to maintain 75° @ 50% RH

So what is that conversation like?
"Mr. Client, I'm going to install this system for you and it's very close to meeting the needs of what we expect to see in terms of winter weather. However, you should be prepared for it not to meet your expectations on some very cold days or some other times that we're not thinking of at the moment and that I can't explain to you in this conversation. Sign here."

JohnNY

1

Re: The Case of the Snapped Relief Valve, This weeks case for Friday

There are different kinds of PRVs, some with diaphragms and some without. I'm trying to visualize what could cause that, but mystified as to how the discharge pipe was with the top of the valve, lying on the flr since the discharge tube is connected to the lower part of the valve. Could be a cracked housing.

Myself, I tighten a PRV until it cracks and then give it one more turn. Works for me.

HomerJSmith

1