Bruce Marshall demonstrates the negative effects of air inside a hydronic heating system and the benefits of installing an air separator.

It is important that your furnace receives a professional installation. This is the first step in ensuring its efficient, effective performance. Following the professional installation you must schedule regular maintenance to keep your home heating system in good working condition. Doing so will keep your furnace running at optimal performance and efficiency levels. It will also help to reduce the likelihood that you will need to schedule professional repair service for your furnace.

Of course, as is the case with any mechanical system, it is impossible to completely eliminate the need for professional repair services. No heating system is perfect, and eventually something is going to go wrong with yours. A high-quality installation can help keep the need for repairs to a minimum and ensure that when repairs are needed they are not very serious, but it is important to call for repair service the moment you suspect a problem with your furnace. Here are a few examples of when you should call us for  professional repair services.

As a basic rule, the development of any irregularities with the operation of your furnace should be evaluated by a professional service provider. This includes any strange noises coming from your furnace or ducts during operation. It is easy to tell yourself that it is just the pipes or that machines develop noises over time, but the fact is that even this minor issues can lead to serious problems, and only a professional furnace technician can determine if repair service is necessary. Any odd, unusual odors present during the operation of your furnace should also be considered a warning sign that repairs may be necessary.

Have you noticed any unexplained increases in your home heating costs? If your heating bill is on the rise despite no changes being made in your home heating habits you may have a problem with your furnace, thermostat or some other part of your heating system. Don’t pay more for less performance from your furnace. Let a qualified professional evaluate your system and make any necessary repairs.

Of course, one of the most obvious signs that your furnace needs repair service is a decline in performance levels. If your heater is having trouble maintaining target temperatures or if hot or cold spots develop throughout your home there is clearly an issue that needs to be dealt with professionally. Call for the repair services that your furnace needs.

Whatever problems your furnace is experiencing, POCO in Jackson, Wyoming has the services you need to get it back on track. Don’t take unnecessary risks with your furnace or your comfort. Call us today for repair service!

Glycol Maintenance

The glycol solution must be checked at least once a year in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations. A base line analysis should be performed within two to four weeks of initial mixing. This measurement will be used to verify that the fill was completed properly, and will serve as a reference point for comparison with future test results. As a bare minimum, the solution should be analyzed for glycol concentration, solution pH and general fluid quality.

Concentration Testing

Concentration can be easily and accurately checked using a handheld refractometer. Most quality instruments will test glycol concentrations from 0 to 55% directly, are portable, and require no complicated adjustments for temperature. System concentration should not vary significantly from test to test. Progressively lower concentrations indicate a loss of glycol through a leaking joint or component. Find and repair the leak and add an appropriate amount of concentrate to return the system to its design concentration.

Solution pH Testing

While high quality glycol solutions may last in excess of 20 years, hard use, improper maintenance or chemical contaminants will significantly shorten fluid life. Fluid pH serves as a good barometer for the condition of the glycol and is best measured with a field pH meter. This method is significantly more accurate than litmus paper tests.

Although glycol fluid pH is primarily a function of the corrosion inhibitor, and therefore, will vary from product to product, a few rules of thumb will be helpful in determining what constitutes proper pH. Most concentrated inhibited glycols have a pH in the 9.0 to 10.5 range. When diluted in a 30% to 50% solution, the pH falls to between 8.3 and 9.0. A pH reading below 8.0 indicates that a significant portion of the inhibitor has been depleted and that more inhibitor needs to be added. When the pH of the mixture falls below 7.0, most manufacturers recommend replacing the fluid. A pH value of less than seven indicates that oxidation of the glycol has occurred. The system should be drained and flushed before severe system damage occurs.