A typical e-mail I get

Tim McElwain

from customers. I have removed names to protect the innocent.



<span>Timmie,</span>

<span>Do you have a (Boiler name) rep name and number for me. Boiler name)  just refers me to their list of contractors in RI. I've called several of them, but either they don't have a combustion tester or don't have experience with the (name of condensing boiler). I am uneasy with the trial and error route. My goal is to locate a RI technician that has the training, experience and equipment to service the (name of boiler).</span>

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<span>The installer was (Name of contractor) Plumbing and Heating in Warwick. Unfortunately they do not have a combustion meter, nor do they have service experience on the (name of boiler) other than the installation.</span>

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<span>If I may, a little background:</span>

<span>The unit began operation in October 2010. During the fall it occasionally and briefly (2-5 seconds) vibrated when it started-up. During the winter not at all. Now during the spring it's happening again, sometimes 3 events in one day, then not for several days.</span>

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<span>Another concern is that I occasionally get a whiff of raw gas at start-up when I am in the back yard (10' to 15' away from the flue). Is this normal?</span>

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<span>I called Nat Grid, who through a service contractor, sent a tech out to check the boiler. He felt everything checked out ok, but acknowledged limited experience (none) with the (name of boiler). He speculated that the boiler may be producing steam at times due to cavitations in the boiler circulation loop, which is 1" copper with a vertical/horizontal loop of 10'. He took a meter reading at the flue discharge outside. His meter read 5, he said he never saw it that low and would expect it to be over 60. I don't know if it was a CO or CO2 meter.</span>



<span>Can you please help me I am getting tired of the revolving door of techs who know nothing about this new equipment.</span>



<span>I have by the way connected this customer up with some help. It is sad that this is the norm at least around me here in RI.</span>

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Steamhead

You're not alone, Tim

We've gotten a bunch of work lately from boiler manufacturers and reps. In almost every case the original installation was improper and/or the boilers were never tuned.



And these were cast-iron steam boilers- NOT mod-cons! Both oil and gas.



Scary, eh?