I'm getting ready to purchase the following items needed to perform a BPI audit:

1) combustion analyzer
2) gas leak detector
3) carbon monoxide ambient/personal monitor

Does anyone have opinions on the best models/brands to purchase? What company would you recommend purchasing from? I'm looking at www.professionalequipment.com and www.trutechtools.com

Thanks!

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AC Tool and Home Inspector Essentials are also good sources.

Hey Meghan,

 

We've had two Alnor CA-6140 Combustion Analyzer's for about 4 years now and have never had a problem with them.  They are a step up from the lowest cost analyzers but about half the price of the really fancy ones.  They do everything you need for BPI, they are very accurate, and have been very reliable.  We've also had two Testo 317 Personal CO Monitor's for a while now and they are nice too...  They're perfect for BPI because you can set an alarm to ring if ambient CO hits 35ppm.  Those links take you to our store by the way.  I was just comparing our prices to other sites and was surprised to see that they're pretty good!

 

We don't sell gas leak detectors, but this is the kind we use: Bacharach Leakator Jr. 19-7075 Gas Leak Detector  It works really well and we haven't had any problems with it.  We used to have one a TIF 8800A gas leak detector and it went bad....  Not sure if was old...or it just looked really old...  But either way, it stopped working entirely!


I've got the Testo 327 and like it quite a bit. It has the water trap built into the body, which I like better than having it in the hose, it has built-in NOX filtering, and the sensors are field-replaceable. I have also used and like the Bacharach Fyrite Insight. For BPI audits you could get away with a lower priced instrument. You can get some pretty good deals on eBay if you keep an eye out. I've got the Testo 316 gas sniffer and 317 CO monitor--both are nice and small. Honestly, all the major brands of these types of tools are fine.

I've had good response working with professionalequipment.  I've bought a few things thru trutech and they are fine, also.  My personal experience has been slightly better at proequip.  YMMV. 

I ended up buying the BW Gas Alert for my personal CO.  Seems to work fine and the battery lasts a looong time.  I bought the Bacharach Leakator Jr for combustibles; it is *extremely* sensitive, which is both good and bad. I would have liked a few features (the Jr. has no adjustments) but was broke at the time I bought it.  Then last year, when the new Bacharach Insight came out, I got one to replace an aging Testo and I love it.  Really an excellent tool.

Good luck,

David

Advanced Home Performance

Hey David,  on your Leakator Jr. you know about the "lower sensitivity" mode right?  The instructions are on the back and it takes a bit of practice, but I find it very useful.  It's my favorite model of combustible gas detector and I've tried a few different brands.

 

I use a Testo 330-LL, teach with a Testo 325 and wear a Testo 317-3. They are dependable and tough.  And I'm close to Sparta, NJ if there's a problem.  I also recommend the Testo 510 manometer for portability, but make sure you read the manual and follow the instructions or you will think it's possessed.

Now that I am working for CSG and they supply my equipment I have a combustion analyzer and gas leak detector for sale if you are interested.  They have not been used much and are only a year old.  Send me a message if you are interested.

Do you still have them for sale? replay back at  sdciassist@gmail.com  thanks.
Trutech for sure.    Ask Bill Spohn there for his recommendation.  He knows his stuff and will answer questions for you as you begin to use your gear.

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