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Strange noises in the basement

I recently received a call from a friend of mine about some noises coming from his high efficiency condensing gas boiler. While he was down in the basement he heard some banging and the boiler overshot the target temperature during a call for domestic hot water. The boiler cooled off reset and went back into normal operation, the apparent cause was an air bubble in the system. This led me to think about the way we are currently piping the indirect off the boiler loop, in this configuration the water will not go through the air separator creating the potential for air entrapment.

One solution is to install an air scoop on the supply to the indirect.

What do you think?

Training opportunities

There is still room in two upcoming trainings:
On June 17, 2009 SG Torrice, Wilmington MA will host a Knight Boiler Service School.
Come and learn how to troubleshoot, service and disassemble the Lochinvar Knight Boiler.

On June 16, 2009 FIA, Woburn MA will host Hydronic System Design and Control
In this seminar we will discuss everything having to do with hydronic systems...
B&G's System Syzer- find out how to use this incredibly useful tool in designing and troubleshooting ALL your hydronic system.
Circulators- find out exactly what a pump does and what it DOESN'T do! How to size a circulator correctly. Find out the differences between an in-line, water-lubricated and base-mounted circulator?
System Curves and Pump Curves- "Energy in must equal energy out!" We'll discuss how to use this important fact to size pumps properly. Understand the benefits of parallel and series pumping and how to troubleshoot pumping problems.
Air in Hydronic Systems- where does the air come from? Learn how to control it properly, learn how the different types of air separators work and why EVERY system needs one!
Expansion Tanks- plain steel tanks, diaphragm tanks, bladder tanks...how to size each one properly. Why does EVERY system (hot water and chilled water) need one?
The Point of No Pressure Change- The location of a circulator is KEY to good system operation.
We'll discuss why!
Primary/Secondary Pumping- this pumping system has been around since 1954! We'll describe all the benefits this SIMPLE pumping technique has to offer!
Temperature Responsive Control Systems- ALL hydronic systems can benefit from this concept. Find out what reset is all about and how to apply it to your next hydronic heating system!
For more on either class send me an email

Memorial Day


This weekend many communities in New Hampshire observed Memorial Day. In Newmarket we were honored to host the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall.
My oldest son Allen took part in honoring the fallen with his Civil Air Patrol Wing, in this photo he is making a rubbing of his cousin's name.
His cousin 1LT Thomas Roy Gorrill was killed at the age of 23 in South Vietnam on April 2, 1969.
What a moving moment it is to see these names etched on this wall.