Editor’s Letter
BY MELISSA HEEKE NCSG DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS
Running your own business is not an easy job. Having employees may be even more difficult. This month’s issue inadvertently became focused on employees. On page 18, Customer Care Coach Joanna Brandi shares her insights on how to keep employees engaged. We get to meet Kekuhaupio Akana of Shakasweepers and his employees on page 22. And, Greg Polakow shares his thoughts whether or not to have employees starting on page 24.
corner. More often than not innovation knocks when you or an employee sees something as though for the first time. Or when you ask yourself any of these questions: How can I do this better? …Easier? …Faster? …Smarter? Now is the time to look within and improve yourself and your business. I hope that this issue of Sweeping helps you do just that. All the best for a safe and successful Spring!
Whether you have employees or not, you do have the opportunity to take a bit of time to (yes, I’m going to say it again) work on your business now that Spring is just around the
Letter to the Editor Sweeping an Oil-Fired Appliance Chimney Dear Editor, I read with interest the article “Sweeping an Oil-Fired Appliance Chimney” because I spent 20 years cleaning furnaces. Our ruleof-thumb about cleaning these chimneys was always this: “The soot flakes off the walls of the chimney and falls to the bottom”. Therefore we only cleaned the bottom of the chimney and “Power-Vacuumed” it. (Power-Vacuum Trucks generate 5,000 cfm through an 8 inch hose.) While I am sure the benefits cited of sweeping these chimneys are valid, (such as reducing corrosion), my main point of disagreement is this: If the chimney is dirty with soot, then the appliance is also dirty and must be cleaned also. Effective cleaning of an oil-fired appliance is best accomplished with a Power-Vacuum Truck and attached compressed-air nozzles. Not to mention the ease of containing the terribly oily and dirty soot particles during cleaning. sincerely, Philip Krogh (member NCSG) Dryer Vent Solutions Woodinville, WA 425-398-5001 Editor’s Note: Since I’m not an expert on oil heating, I sent Philip Krogh’s comment to the author for a response. John Pilger’s response:
6 SWEEPING FEBRUARY/MARCH 10
Philip, I certainly agree with you that in some cases a poor performing oil-fired appliance will soot up the chimney and it is very important to the appliance’s efficiency that the appliance also be cleaned. It is very possible that the chimney can be dirty and the appliance itself can be clean. Let me give you an example: the oil heat technician services the appliance annually, but the chimney may have not been swept in three years. In year one and two the appliance is running great, but in year three the nozzle gets fouled and the appliance starts to run poorly, sooting the heat exchangers, connector pipes and chimney. The oil heat technician comes in and changes the nozzle, brushes out the heat exchanges and vacuums out the fire chamber. He then makes the proper burner adjustments, checks the flame and is on his way. The appliance is clean but the chimney is still dirty. I am often asked if the chimney sweep should come before or after the oil heat technician. Since, in order to perform a proper tune up, the venting system must be able to perform its intended function. So the chimney should be swept (if needed) before the tune-up. I will not debate which method of cleaning a boiler is better, the Power-Vacuum Truck and attached compressed-air nozzles or the brush and vacuum method recommended by National Oil Heat Alliance (NORA) Technicians manual. Either way a clean appliance and chimney is very important to the boiler’s efficiency. John Pilger Chief Chimney Services, Inc. Smithtown, NY