Friday, January 15, 2010

Concentric vent


You may want to consider using a "concentric vent" that handles both combustion air and exhaust through the same 4" opening in the outside wall. I just installed a 95% Lennox using this vent and it has performed well during the coldest period this winter ( lows to -20F ). The vent is Lennox part #71M80 and is called a 1.5" concentric vent kit. I am familiar with ice buildup on the standard 2" exhaust vents in a cold climate, I used several Lennox Pulse in Fargo, ND in the 1980's but can't say they ever iced up to the point of shutting down the furnace.

The concentric vent ties in to both the 2" combustion air line and the 2" exhaust right before it goes out of the wall through a 4' diameter hole. The exhaust goes out through the middle of this concentric vent and once outside is reduced down to 1 1/2", at a length of 8". The fresh air intake is right near the siding and is the outer portion of this vent, the exhaust keeps this whole unit warm. One other important point is the whole venting system is sloped back to the furnace so no condensation drips from the exhaust vent outside.

Saturday, January 9, 2010

Furnace intake clogged by ice crystals during extremely cold week


Board placed to discourage floating ice crystals from entering intake pipe.
You can see moisture freezing onto those plant stems. Temp is below 10F



Warm exhaust makes a bare spot on the ground below.

Moisture freezing on the bush to the right which is over 10 ft away. sort of like hoar frost.

Picture with furnace running so you can see the steam.

In windless condition, the steam goes everywhere. Tends to flow right because the AC blocks the left side.



Added another shroud over the intake pipe. This might decrease the number of ice crystals entering the intake without restricting the air flow. Plus when there is a blizzard coming from the right side, less snow will enter the intake opening.
I might try a length of black perforated drain pipe, maybe 4 ft. That would create a protected zone to suck air from. Unrestricted, but decrease the number of ice crystals and snow entering the intake opening. The black pipe might get heated by sunshine and help evaporate snow and ice that gets into the pipe.

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Delta shower valve parts

http://www.plumbingworld.com/bathvalvesbydelta.html





Delta RP4993 Set of Two Replacement Seats and Springs for Delta Faucets
$3.74 Originally $4.15,

Friday, January 1, 2010

Delta shower faucet and tub spout--No hot water

Turn off main water valve first.

Big chrome ring should unscrew readily counterclockwise. Do not force it, because those teeny copper tubes behind the valve will twist off or pinch.



Copper tubes visible here.
Didn't get a picture, but there was a pea gravel sized chunk of rust in the hot water valve side.
That was enough to choke off hot water flow.

Old tub spout did not want to come off. I started cutting it off. Here is the little 1/2 inch pipe stub the spout attaches to. The threads were totally gunked up with plumbers putty or something.