"You note overheating on the south side (naturally.) Assuming the typical roof overhang of…"
Needed: Gas Detector and CO Detector. What do you recommend?
Hi All
I never planned or wanted to do the BPI Combustion testing but now have too.
What products do you recommend? I obviously want to do this as economically as possible? Thanks for any advice.
Views: 183
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Paul Raymer on -
The gas leak detectors from Bacharach - the Leakator and the Leakator Jr. - are solid, good quality devices. The Tiff 8800 units are also good. Like many of these tools, it is almost always a matter of personal preference. The only issue I have with the Leakators, is that they do time-out and have to be recalibrated in fresh air. You can avoid this with the Leakator by push any of the buttons.
Two different issues with the CO detectors: 1 is ambient CO and, 2, is the undiluted CO. For ambient CO I carry a CO Experts household CO monitor. I trust it, and it reads down to 0 ppm. You can also carry one of the personal CO monitors.
For undiluted CO, the workhorse is the Bacharach Monoxor. You should contact Bill Spohn at Tru-tech tools about these things. The problem is that the CO sensor can be "fooled" by the NOx in the flue gases. So using one of the Monoxor devices, you should use a NOx filter to get accurate results. Bill says, "A CO-Undiluted (or CO-AirFree) measurement is a calculation that alters (usually raises, but never lowers) the CO reading correcting for the excess air that is diluting the CO volume concentration. To get a CO-Undiluted (or CO-AirFree) reading you MUST have an Oxygen sensor to correct for the excess air. Which usually means you use a combustion efficiency analyzer with built in CO sensor."
If the only element that you are interested in measuring (which is the case with BPI) is undiluted CO, you don't need to spend the big money that a combustion analyzer costs. But you can get efficiencies and other information with an analyzer.
The good news is that from my experience, it is hard to go wrong with the mainstream brand tools.
-
Permalink Reply by Adam Zielinski on -
Combustion Analyzer: Bacharach Fyrite Tech 60
http://www.inspectortools.com/product-p/ba248217.htm
Gas Detector: TIF 8900
http://www.inspectortools.com/product-p/ti8900.htm
Personal Ambient CO Monitor: Gas Badge Plus CO
Clips to your belt and never turns off. 2 year battery life.
http://www.sandersonsafety.com/store/product.cfm?pID=7456414348147F
Home Energy Pros
Home Energy Pros was founded by the developers of Home Energy Saver Pro (sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) and brought to you in partnership with Home Energy magazine.
Latest Activity
Patrick Michaelyan replied to Patrick Michaelyan's discussion Hot Upper Stories"Thanks a lot Ed. And thanks to all who have added their two cents.
I think I know where to take…"
Ed Minch replied to Patrick Michaelyan's discussion Hot Upper Stories"We have successfully treated this same problem in perhaps 1000 of this same house in the…"
Craig Savage commented on Craig Savage's video
What is a Heat Pump Water Heater
"Hello Tom
We are working with A.O. Smith, GE and Stiebel Eltron on a Building America task to…"
Tom Delconte commented on Craig Savage's videoWhat is a Heat Pump Water Heater
"Craig: I was serious, since my propane price jumped from .98 to 1.85! according to everyone the GE…"
Ben Jacobs replied to Jose Macho's discussion Why Are Energy-Saving Home Inprovements Down??"I think that government support for good ideas results in major benefits over the long haul.
Please…"
Craig Savage commented on Craig Savage's videoWhat is a Heat Pump Water Heater
"Hello Tom
Not sure if you are being sarcastic, but a serious answer would be that GE is selling…"
Tom Delconte commented on Craig Savage's videoWhat is a Heat Pump Water Heater
"Craig: do you have a diagram of one that will run longer than one year? They don't really seem…"
Cory Chovanec replied to Bachi Brunato's discussion Boxing and Insulating Around Non-ICAT Cans"All good points brought up. My advice is not to leave the lights. When you said halogen I think…"
Jon Haehnel replied to Jose Macho's discussion Why Are Energy-Saving Home Inprovements Down??"The first 2 answers by Tom and Sean jive with my thinking and experience. Thank you Don for…"
Tom Smith replied to Patrick Michaelyan's discussion Hot Upper Stories"The most bang for your buck will come from airsealing the attic plane and sealing the…"
John Rising replied to Bachi Brunato's discussion Boxing and Insulating Around Non-ICAT Cans"Hi Bachi,
We have done many projects where we have installed boxes around recessed lights to…"
© 2013 Created by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
