The Technician’s Guide: How the Bacharach Fyrite InTech Combustion Analyzer Improves Efficiency & Accuracy

HVAC technicians need to know that a furnace is working properly. They cannot just guess or look at the flame. They need hard numbers to prove the system is safe and not wasting fuel. This guide explains how the Bacharach Fyrite InTech Combustion Analyzer improves efficiency & accuracy for every job.

This tool gives technicians clear data. It replaces old, unreliable methods with modern science. You get facts, not guesswork. This guide will cover the tool, the process, and the reasons why it matters.

How the Bacharach Fyrite InTech Combustion Analyzer Improves Efficiency & Accuracy

This analyzer is a specific tool for a specific job. It measures the gas mixture inside a furnace’s exhaust flue. The numbers it gives tell the technician exactly how the furnace is burning. This information is the key to tuning the appliance. Efficiency means getting the most heat from the fuel. Wasted fuel costs the homeowner money every month. The Fyrite InTech measures the gases in the flue. This tells the tech precisely how much heat is escaping.

The tech can then adjust the burner’s air-to-fuel mix. They watch the numbers on InTech’s screen in real-time. The goal is to hit the manufacturer’s specified settings. This simple adjustment can stop fuel waste immediately. Accuracy is about trusting your readings. An inaccurate tool gives you a false sense of safety. The Fyrite InTech uses quality sensors to get reliable numbers. This data helps you make the right call every time.

Old methods like looking at the flame are just guesswork. The InTech provides digital proof of the furnace’s operation. This accuracy protects the technician and the homeowner. It shows the job was done correctly.

What Is Combustion Analysis?

Combustion analysis is the process of checking exhaust gases. This is done on appliances like furnaces, boilers, and water heaters. The “fire” inside these units must be controlled. Analysis is the only way to see what the fire is doing. Fire needs three things: fuel, heat, and oxygen. In a furnace, the goal is to mix the fuel (like natural gas) with the right amount of oxygen. This perfect mix creates a clean, hot burn. It is very hard to get this mix right without testing.

An analyzer is a tool that samples the exhaust. It is like a doctor taking a blood sample from a patient. The sample tells you about the health of the entire system. Without this test, you are blind to hidden problems. The main goal is to find the “sweet spot.” This is the point where the appliance burns the most fuel completely. It also must produce the least amount of dangerous byproducts. An analyzer shows you exactly where this spot is.

The Dangers of an Untuned Furnace

An untuned furnace is a risk to the home. The most serious risk is carbon monoxide (CO). CO is a poison gas you cannot see, smell, or taste. CO is created when there is not enough oxygen for the fire. This is called incomplete combustion. The furnace burner might be dirty or the air intake blocked. The gas then builds up and can leak into the house. The Fyrite InTech has a CO sensor. It measures this gas in parts per million (ppm). A high CO reading in the exhaust is a major red flag. It tells the technician to stop and find the problem.

Another danger is soot. A “rich” burn (too much fuel) creates black soot. This soot clogs the heat exchanger. A clogged heat exchanger can crack, letting CO into the home’s air. A cracked heat exchanger is a furnace’s worst failure. It means the appliance must be shut down and replaced. Finding a crack is not always easy with just your eyes. High CO readings are often the first sign of a crack. Efficiency loss is also a problem. A dirty, untuned furnace works harder to heat the home. This extra runtime strains motors and other parts. It leads to more breakdowns and a shorter life for the appliance.

Fire is a final, serious risk. Soot buildup inside the flue or chimney can catch fire. This is more common with oil furnaces but can happen with gas. Proper analysis checks for the conditions that create soot. A furnace that is not tuned correctly can also void a warranty. Many manufacturers require proof of proper setup. A combustion analysis report is that proof. It shows the unit was installed to specification.

Read more: InTech Combustion Analyze

A Look at the Fyrite InTech’s Main Features

The Fyrite InTech is a handheld device. It is built to be tough for field use. It has a main body with a screen and buttons. A hose and metal probe connect to the top. The screen is a key part. It is large and has a backlight for dark basements. It shows multiple readings at once, like O2 and CO. This lets the tech see the relationship between measurements. The tool is built around its sensors. It has an electrochemical sensor for O2. It also has a sensor for CO. These sensors are what take the actual measurements. A strong internal pump pulls the gas sample. It draws the exhaust from the flue, through the hose, and over the sensors. This pump is a vital part of the system.

The probe is put into the furnace flue. It has a metal tube to handle high temperatures. It also has a special trap to stop water from ruining the sensors. This trap must be emptied often. The InTech is easy to use. The buttons are simple and the menus are clear. A technician can learn to use it very quickly. It is made for fast and simple testing. It can store test results. A tech can save a “before” test. Then they can save an “after” test. This shows the customer the improvements that were made. Some models come with a small printer. This printer uses an infrared signal. It prints a small report of the test results right on the job.

Using the InTech: A Step-by-Step Guide

First, prepare the analyzer and the furnace. Turn on the InTech in fresh air, away from the furnace. This lets the sensors “zero” themselves to normal air. This step is needed for correct readings. While the analyzer zeros, start the furnace. Let the furnace run for five to ten minutes. It needs to reach its normal operating temperature. Testing a cold furnace will give bad results. Next, find the test port. This is a small hole or cap in the flue pipe. It should be located before any draft hoods or dampers. If no hole exists, you will need to drill one.

Insert the analyzer’s probe into the hole. The tip should be in the center of the flue pipe. Make sure the probe is secure. Now you can read the “as found” numbers on the screen. Write down or save these first readings. This is your baseline. It shows you how the furnace was running before you did any work. It might show high O2 or high CO. Now you can start tuning. Find the burner’s primary air shutter. Make a small adjustment to the shutter. Watch the screen to see how the numbers change.

Your goal is to match the manufacturer’s data. This data is usually in the furnace manual. You might be aiming for a specific O2 percentage. As you adjust O2, you must also watch CO. Make sure CO does not rise to a dangerous level. As you reduce air, CO will go up. You must find the balance of good efficiency and low CO. This is the most important part of the job.

Once you hit the target numbers, let the furnace run. Watch the screen for a few minutes to be sure the readings are stable. Save these new “as left” readings. You are now finished with the test. Remove the probe carefully, as it will be hot. Plug the test hole with a high-temperature plug. Let your analyzer run in fresh air for a minute to clear the sensors.

Read more: Bacharach Fyrite InTech Combustion Analyzer, O2/CO Measurement

Understanding Key Measurements (O2, CO, Stack Temp)

These three numbers tell you the whole story. The InTech measures them directly. All other values are calculated from this data.

Oxygen (O2)

Oxygen is the most important number for tuning. The InTech measures O2 as a percentage. A reading of 20.9% O2 means you are testing fresh air. Inside a flue, the O2 reading should be much lower. This shows that the fire is using the oxygen. A reading that is too high, like 12%, means you have too much air. This extra air just gets heated and blown outside.

This is called “excess air.” It is the biggest source of inefficiency. It is like leaving a window open in winter. The furnace heats the air, and it’s lost right away. Your job is to reduce this excess air. You do this by closing the air shutter. This lowers the O2 reading on the InTech. The right O2 level is usually between 5% and 9%.

Carbon Monoxide (CO)

CO is the main safety reading. It is measured in parts per million (ppm). A reading of 0 ppm is ideal. Small amounts, like 10-50 ppm, are often normal. High CO is a sign of a problem. It means there is not enough air for the fuel to burn cleanly. This “incomplete combustion” creates the poison gas. When you tune a furnace, you watch O2 and CO together. As you lower the O2, the CO will slowly start to rise. This is normal. The tech must know when to stop. If CO rises too fast or goes above 100-200 ppm, it signals a problem. It could be a dirty burner, a bad gas valve, or a cracked heat exchanger.

Stack Temperature

This measures the temperature of the exhaust gas. InTech’s probe has a thermocouple to read this. Stack temperature tells you how much heat is being wasted. A very high stack temperature is bad. It means heat is rushing through the furnace. It is not staying in the heat exchanger long enough to heat the house. This can be caused by too much excess air. The high airflow pushes heat out too fast. It can also be caused by a dirty, soot-covered heat exchanger. As you tune the furnace, the stack temp should drop. When you lower the excess O2, the fire burns more slowly and hotter. This allows more heat to transfer. A lower stack temp means higher efficiency.

Calculated Efficiency

The Fyrite InTech uses these three readings to calculate efficiency. It knows the fuel type (natural gas, oil, etc.). It measures the stack temp and the O2. This data shows a “combustion efficiency” percentage. This number shows how much heat is staying in the house. It is a direct measure of your work. A typical older furnace might be 78% efficient. After tuning, you might get it to 82%. This is a real, measurable improvement.

How Better Accuracy Saves Money

Better accuracy leads to real dollar savings. An accurately tuned furnace uses less fuel. Less fuel use means lower monthly gas or oil bills. A small change in efficiency makes a big difference. A 4% improvement in efficiency is typical. On a $1,500 annual heating bill, this saves the homeowner $60 per year. The savings pay for the service call. A homeowner can see the return on their investment. The printed report from the InTech proves the savings. Accurate tuning also extends the furnace’s life. A furnace that is not tuned runs harder and longer. This extra strain wears out parts like motors and ignitors.

Replacing parts is expensive. A new blower motor can cost hundreds of dollars. Proper tuning reduces this wear and tear. It prevents major failures. The accuracy of InTech can spot problems early. Catching a high CO reading can lead to finding a small crack. Finding this early saves the cost of a new furnace. It also prevents a dangerous CO leak. Accuracy is not just about efficiency; it is about protecting the whole system.

Why Safety Checks Are Part of the Job

A technician’s first job is to keep the customer safe. A furnace is a controlled fire inside a home. Safety must always come before efficiency. The Fyrite InTech is a powerful safety tool. Its CO sensor is sensitive and accurate. It can detect CO levels that a homeowner’s store-bought detector might miss. A tech should perform two CO checks. The first is in the ambient air. This checks the air in the room around the furnace. A CO reading in the room means there is a leak. This could be a cracked heat exchanger. It could be a bad flue pipe. The tech must find this leak immediately.

The second check is the flue gas test. This is the main combustion test. A high CO reading in the flue (over 400 ppm) shows a major problem. A good technician will not tune a furnace with high CO. They will shut down the unit and find the cause. This safety-first approach is what makes a true professional. The InTech also measures the draft. This is the suction that pulls exhaust up the chimney. If the draft is bad, CO can spill into the house. This simple tool checks multiple safety systems at once. It gives the technician the confidence to know the home is safe. That peace of mind is priceless.

Printing Reports for Customers

The printed report is a powerful tool for the technician. Many InTech kits come with a small, wireless printer. This printer adds a level of professionalism to the job. It provides proof of the work. The tech can print a “before” report. This shows the furnace’s poor condition. Then, the tech can print an “after” report. This shows the new, improved readings. The customer can see the O2, CO, and efficiency numbers side-by-side.

This report builds trust. The customer is not just taking the tech’s word for it. They have a paper document that shows the service was worth the cost. It also protects the technician. This report is a record of the job. If a problem happens later, the tech has proof. The report shows they left the appliance in a safe, efficient state. This document can also help with sales. It can show a customer why a simple “cleaning” is not enough. It proves the value of a full “tune-up.”

Caring for Your Analyzer

An analyzer is a precision tool. It must be treated with care. Proper care makes sure the readings are always accurate. The most important rule is annual calibration. The analyzer must be sent to a service center once a year. They test it with special gases to make sure the sensors are right. Sensors do not last forever. The O2 sensor usually lasts about two years. It is always working, even when the tool is off. The CO sensor lasts longer, but it can be damaged. High levels of CO can “poison” the sensor. The InTech has a pump shut-off to help protect it.

The water trap must be checked on every job. This small plastic bowl catches water from the flue. If this water gets into the analyzer, it will destroy the sensors. Always change the filter. The filter is inside the water trap. It stops soot and dirt from getting to the pump. A dirty filter will strain the pump and can give bad readings. Store the tool properly. Do not leave it in a very hot or very cold truck. Extreme temperatures can damage the sensors and electronics. Keep it in its case.

Comparing Methods: Old vs. New

Conclusion

A combustion analyzer is a vital tool. The Bacharach Fyrite InTech is a popular choice for many technicians. It gives them the data they need to do the job right. It improves efficiency by showing the tech how to stop fuel waste. It improves accuracy by replacing guesswork with hard numbers. This saves the customer money. Most importantly, it is a safety device. It finds hidden dangers like CO leaks and cracked heat exchangers. A tech with an analyzer provides peace of mind. Using the InTech shows professionalism. It builds trust with the customer. It proves that the furnace is running at its best.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is a “cracked heat exchanger”?

A: A heat exchanger is the metal wall between the fire and your house air. A crack in this wall is very dangerous. It allows exhaust gases, like carbon monoxide, to mix with your breathing air. A CO check with an analyzer is the best way to detect this.

Q: How often should my furnace be tested with an analyzer?

A: Your furnace should be tested every year. This is part of a standard annual tune-up. An annual test makes sure it stays efficient. It also confirms that no new safety issues have developed.

Q: Can I use this tool myself?

A: No, this tool is for trained professionals only. A technician knows how to interpret the numbers. They also know how to make adjustments safely. Do not try to tune your own furnace.

Q: Why did my furnace pass inspection but still waste fuel?

A: A simple inspection just checks for visual problems. A combustion analysis goes much deeper. Your furnace might be “safe” but still have 12% excess air. This means it is wasting a lot of fuel, which an analyzer would spot.