Time to Fire Up the Heat in a Box
Here’s a contractor checklist to ensure your Modine unit brings the heat
It’s about time to fire up those small boxes that provide a lot of heat. Contractors and consumers alike appreciate the small footprint and wide range of commercial and residential uses our gas-fired unit heaters provide. Their range of uses includes garages, warehouses, workshops and greenhouses.
Modine gas-fired heaters are efficient and compact, but depending on the application, they can approach 400,000 BTUs.
The versatility of these heaters, designed to heat spaces not better served by a standard furnace , allows contractors some leeway in providing heating sources at relatively low cost. Unit heaters literally hang from a wall or ceiling, and require a single horizontal or vertical ventilation tube as an outlet for combustion byproducts and flue gases.
They are efficient and easy to install and maintain – just make sure a licensed technician or contractor does the work – but like all heat sources they must be tended to throughout winter, and it’s good practice to run through a checklist before they are activated with the arrival of cold weather.
Here’s a basic technicians checklist to ensure the safety and longevity of unit heaters, whether they are used in commercial, residential or greenhouse settings:
| 1. | Check equipment, including fans, wiring, gas pipes, and venting systems, for any damage that may have occurred over the summer. |
| 2. | Check and adjust manifold gas pressure. Inspect all gas connections for proper fit. |
| 3. | Make sure the motor shaft turns correctly, and check the power connections to the motor. |
| 4. | Check condensate lines on high-efficiency units. |
| 5. | Examine thermostats for cleanliness, connectivity and correct temperature settings. |
| 6. | Inspect burner tubes and make sure rodents or insects haven’t nested in the burner over summer. |
| 7. | Make sure venting systems are free of obstructions, and check the cap and cleanout. |
| 8. | Be alert for indications of condensate leakage. Signs include water stains on the exterior of the vent pipe or rusting. This could be an indication of improper unit operation or vent configuration problems. |
These tried-and-true heat sources are available for a range of applications in the HVAC, construction and renovation fields. Proper maintenance of these valuable yet inexpensive units can keep your customers happy for years to come.
