Industrial grade heating units have to drive a significant amount of heating capacity to support commercial and manufacturing requirements. However, not all commercial heating systems are meant to support heavy, manufacturing processes. Instead, there are units that, much like a residential unit, are intended to support administrative functions or maintain warehouse temperatures. So, what are the main differences in heating units and types of repair?
Main Types of Heating Units
You may be wondering what are the main, types of commercial heating units and the specifications for these units. While there are other types of heating systems, two of the more common boiler unit types are:
- Heating Boiler: A heating boiler is generally for lighter use with steam pressures not exceeding 15 Psi for steam or 160 Psi and 250 degrees Fahrenheit for water
- Power Boiler: A power boiler is for heavier use and can support steam pressures that exceed 15 Psi for steam and 160 Psi and over 250 degrees Fahrenheit for water
Differences in Complexity for Repair
Just like there is a difference in heating capacity between a heating boiler and a power boiler, there are also differences in repairing the devices. Heating boilers used for general purpose administration, warehouse heating or light manufacturing support tend to have less complex problems. The skills required to repair these units are generally on par with repairing residential units. Typical problems with these units include:
- Replacing defective burners
- Repairing or replacing defective blowers
- Diagnosing, repairing or replacing broken or defective motors
- Installing new pilots and igniters
- Troubleshooting, replacing or maintaining pneumatic, mechanical, or electrical control systems
- Repairing or replacing refractory lines
- Fixing or installing thermostats
Power boilers tend to have more complex repairs in addition to the types of fixes and maintenance listed for heating boilers. These issues and updates can include:
- Proactive monitoring and maintenance of automatic controls, electrostatic precipitators, and various slurry, recovery, pipe, and pumping systems
- Replacing and repairing pneumatic or electrostatic thermostats
- Testing, fixing or replacing governors, fuel cut-off systems, regulators, burner feeds, and other, complex management devices
- Performing preventive maintenance on boiler fuel and feed pumps, air compressors, fans, turbines, and other components subject to periodic replacement
The good news is that the different systems for light commercial use versus heavy manufacturing use are usually kept separate. The technicians who work on power boilers (such as those from Sparks Refrigeration Inc) receive more extensive training to be able to diagnose and repair the complex issues associated with industrial-grade heating systems.
