High tech problems

High tech problems

Just when my co-workers and I thought that the newly installed boiler system was working properly, the saga continued.

  • Mind you, it’s been over six months since the new system was installed.

And even though I work in a large building with several floors and wings, the problems that have been occurring are entirely unacceptable. As we go about our daily work in our offices, one or more electricians, HVAC specialists and troubleshooters walk around with perplexed looks on their faces. At least the building manager sends us occasional emails in advance to notify us of their presence, as well as brief descriptions of why they are there. Basically, there seems to be a glitch in one of the boiler system’s components which none of the specialists have been able to pin down. They’ve tried shutting down the power to the system’s condensers in order to assess how the system is performing at full air flow. Then they have shut down individual zones in an attempt to identify specific issues. But no matter the outside temperature, the system controls are not operating properly. It’s been so many months that our office temperatures fluctuate that we’ve all brought in space heaters for cold days and opened the windows on warm days. If the technicians are working in an area near my office, I can overhear what they are discussing. I know that they’ve already replaced several of the thermostats in the different zones of the building. I’ve even learned some things about the HVAC field as a result. It’s not that they are disruptive to our concentration, but I truly feel bad for these guys, since they just can’t seem to identify the problem.

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