The lighter side of hydronics
By Paul Rohrs, Radiant Expert
Biggerstaff Radiant Solutions, Lincoln, Neb.
Welcome to Boiler Jeopardy! Our contestants today are Paul Rohrs from Biggerstaff Radiant Solutions in Lincoln, Neb., and Rocky Pavey of Rocky’s Heating Service in Fairbanks, AK. This is a head-to-head competition between two heating professionals. Contestants, remember: you must phrase your answer in the form of a question.
Host: Our topics today are “Old Boiler Installs,” “Boiler Electronics,” “Boiler Protection,” “Modulating Condensing Boilers,” and rounding out the topics, “My Heating System.”
Host: Let’s get started with the first Jeopardy round. Paul, you were selected to be first so you make the first selection.
Paul: I’ll take “Old Boiler Installs” for $100.00 Alex. (Man I know I can do this, breathe Paul breathe….)
Host: Question — This type of white insulating substance is considered a hazardous material and should only be removed by a licensed and certified abatement company.
Paul: (Yeah I’ve got this, Ringing in First) Alex, what is asbestos?
Host: Correct for $100.00 Paul, well done.
Paul (Internal monologue voice) — (I’m guessing it would be inappropriate to ask the audience for high-fives, In your face Rocky.)
Host: Paul, it’s your selection
Paul: I’ll take Boiler Electronics for $100.00
Host: A micro-amp signal is generated by this component to prove flame prior to the gas valve modulating to the target temp firing rate?
Rocky: (buzzing in first) “What is a rectification probe?”
Paul: (Way to go Rock, I should have known that.)
Host: Well done Rocky, it’s your selection.
Rocky: I’ll take “Boiler Protection” for $100.00.
Host: With atmospheric boilers, unless the minimum inlet temperature is achieved, this process will kill your boiler prematurely.
Rocky: (buzzing in first) Alex, what is “Sustained Flue Gas Condensation.”
Paul: (Coldest state AND he knows the answer, I better sharpen up here. I wonder if I should tell everyone that Rocky is originally from Oklahoma, but is a closet Cornhusker fan.)
Host: Let’s move on, Rocky it’s your selection.
Rocky: I’ll take “Your Heating System” for $400.00.
Host: Question, I have this many zones of baseboard heat in my house?
Paul: (How am I supposed to know that? — What is this “Mind Reading Jeopardy”?
Rocky: buzzing in first, “Four zones.”
Host: That is correct Rocky, you did a great job on my install, how are the wife and kids?
Paul: Heyyyyy, wait a minute here…
Host: Time is running short and it’s time to move on to Double Jeopardy. Rocky is in the lead with $600.00 and Paul trails with only $100.00. Rocky, it’s your selection.
Rocky: I’ll take “Modulating Condensing Boilers” for $200.00 please
Host: Question, This item, made of a refractory material, should be inspected at each annual service?.
Paul: Is it a target wall?
Host: Correct for $200.00, choose again.
Paul: (Okay, time for some hardball) — I’ll take “Boiler Protection” for $400.00 please.
Host: Question: This type of valve is often used with atmospheric boilers to ensure minimum inlet temperatures are met.
Paul: Is it a thermic valve?
Host: Correct for $400.00, Paul, it’s your selection.
Paul: I will take “Boiler Electronics” for $400.00 please.
Host: Question: This is another name for a weather-responsive-based system that comes as a standard feature on most modulating condensing boilers.
Rocky: What is Outdoor-Reset?
Host: Great job Rocky, Can you take me for another ride on your jetboat this summer?
Rocky: Sure, anytime you want.
Paul: (Should we just give him the title now, or keep playing?)
Host: Rocky, it’s your selection
Rocky: I will take “Your Heating System” for $1000.00 please.
Host: Question, I prefer this temperature in zone number one in my home?
Paul: (Maybe I can get a nap while “popsicle” over there answers this.)
Rocky: You prefer your garage zone at 60F; would you like me to come by sometime to adjust it, or maybe at Thanksgiving next year when we are all together again.
Host: Correct, come by anytime, I think you still have a key don’t you?
Host: Rocky is in the lead with $2000.00, and Paul is following with $300.00. Rocky, it’s your selection, and time is running out.
Rocky: I’ll take “Old Boiler Installs” for $400.00.
Host: Question: This item is considered a pilot safety switch?
Paul: What is a Baso-Switch?
Host: Correct Paul for $400.00; it’s your selection.
Paul: I will take “Boiler Electronics” for $1000.00, please.
Host: Question: What is the name of the component on older atmospheric boilers that controls the pump and thermostat, as well as sensing water temperature?
Paul: What is an aquastat?
Host: Correct, Paul it’s your selection and it looks as if this might be our Final Jeopardy question. Contestants, you can risk up to the amount shown on your screen.
Paul: (Okay Paul, you’ve got $1700.00 and Rocky has $2000.00, one more correct answer wins the whole thing. Focus, focus…
Host: Here is your Final Jeopardy question:
This is not a heating-related question but is relative to each of your home states; listen closely, Alaska features more than 6,600 miles of this, (the largest in the U.S.) while Nebraska features 0?
Paul: (I am so on this. Can’t stop me now Frosty. All these years of geography are finally paying off — the answer is coastline. Yeah baby, it’s the winners circle for me.)
Paul: It’s coastline!
Paul: (Yes, Yes, Yes, I did it, Final Jeopardy is mine, mine. Do you hear me?!)
Host: Paul that IS the correct answer…but you forgot to phrase it in the form of a question. So, Rocky is our winner!
Rocky: Take that Corn-boy!
Paul: Whaa’, Huh?....Oh……can I go now? I think I’m going to be sick. The shame. The shame of it all.
Cue cheesy Jeopardy music as studio fades to black.
Paul Rohrs welcomes your comments. Contact Paul at paul@biggerstaffradiantsolutions.com.