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The Murray-Heutz Report Card: What We Measure During an Annual Service Visit
The Murray-Heutz Report Card: What We Measure During an Annual Service Visit
Posted: March 16, 2018
We’ve said it many times before on this blog: routine maintenance is the key to system performance and longevity. But not all routine maintenance is created equal.
An Murray-Heutz annual tune-up (included in our high-value propane or heating oil service plans) is not only more comprehensive than most, it’s also more transparent. That’s because every routine service visit includes an Annual Equipment Service Report Card – a measure of how your system performed in six key areas – so you can understand exactly what that “guy in your basement” was working on.
Here’s what we measure:
Exhaust draft – This measures how strong the flow of air is that carries heating system emissions away from your home. If the draft is too weak, it must be adjusted to keep emissions a safe distance away from your living space.
Carbon dioxide percentage – This measures the output of carbon dioxide (CO2) coming from your heating equipment. A CO2 reading outside normal range can indicate an improper mix of oxygen and hydrogen during the combustion process, which translates to lower efficiency.
Exhaust temperature – This measures the temperature of the air leaving your home so we can tell if you are losing too much heat through your chimney.
Smoke – This measures how much soot is contained in the air flowing from your heating system’s exhaust. Higher numbers mean that combustion is incomplete, and that your system requires adjustments.
Carbon monoxide (CO) – This measures the amount of CO produced by your heating system. A build-up of CO – the result of malfunctioning or poorly maintained equipment – can be dangerous. We measure CO to make sure your family is safe.
Combustion efficiency – This measures how much heat you’re getting for your fuel dollar. The higher the score, the more value you are getting from your fuel purchases.
If we discover a problem in any of these areas, we’ll make some suggestions for next steps to solve it.
Early spring is the perfect time to schedule annual maintenance for your heating system – contact us today to beat the crowd and keep your equipment running at its very best!
