Case Study: Sub-standard installation of high-efficiency units

New equipment can fail prematurely under conditions where either improper equipment is selected, or installation standards are not up to code. Often times in these situations the manufacturer’s warranty is voided. 

In the case of boiler systems, it is critical the equipment selection is done correctly and installation standards are up to code. 

For one of our senior housing clients in Los Angeles, this was not the case. The builder selected high efficiency units that are designed to save energy. Unfortunately, they made one critical mistake. Water hardness level was not taken into consideration, which is integral for high efficiency units to function trouble-free. Another fatal oversight, a missing exhaust cap, allowed for rain to enter the boiler combustion chamber.

In the absence of a professional boiler maintenance plan these lapses went unnoticed until almost two years later when repeated boiler failures led property manager to reach out to Pro Star. 

Upon arrival, our technicians found condensation build up inside the unit and internal damage from the poor water quality. In just a matter of weeks, these conditions caused a catastrophic failure.

Pro Star switched the client over to a more durable commercial grade equipment well-suited for the end use and capable of handling the hard water conditions. The project was made more cost effective by re-using the existing pumps on the new boilers. A crane, five crew members and 10 hours later the residents had continuous and dependable hot water.