The Complete Handbook of Furnace & Boiler Accessories
A Professional's Field Guide to Selection, Installation, Maintenance, and Profit in Residential and Light Commercial Heating Systems
by Alumigogo Books
non-fiction
The definitive practical guide to furnace & boiler accessories: what they do, how to size them, how to install and fix them, and how to profit from the work.
About this book
Heating season does not care about your schedule. When a condensate pump fails at 2 AM or a zone valve sticks closed on the coldest day of the year, you need to know how the system is supposed to work, what the part is supposed to do, and what to check before you start swapping parts.
This is the book for the technician, contractor, or thorough homeowner who wants the full picture of hydronic and forced-air accessory systems. It avoids manufacturer hype and gets straight to the technical brass tacks: sizing formulas, code requirements, installation sequence, and a troubleshooting tree for the most common accessory failures. From simple components like strainers and float switches to modern smart thermostats and boiler reset controls, each chapter builds your knowledge: how it works, why it matters, and what can go wrong.
It also covers the nuts-and-bolts business of this trade, with a candid look at the supply chain for common and specialty parts and real ways to build a service or reselling operation around them. Whether you are a one-truck operation, a facility manager, or the serious tinkerer who wants to do it right, this handbook is a reference you will keep on the shelf and reach for every season.
Reader Reviews
Elizabeth Moore
★★★★★This is the book I wish came with my first service van. I have been doing hydronic heat for fifteen years, and it doesn't talk down to you, but it is also great for a sharp homeowner. The section on properly sizing a condensate pump and the comparison of constant circulation vs. set-back is spot on. For the business-minded tech, the chapter on buying and positioning yourself in the market is worth the price of the book alone. It is a real reference, not a flimsy brochure.
Emily Hall
★★★★★There is very good technical content here—the troubleshooting chapter alone is solid and it clearly explains the why, not just the how. I docked it a couple of stars because I found some of the wiring diagrams described in the installation chapter a bit abstract without more pics. I also think it leans a little heavy on the business/marketing side at the end, which is fine for someone starting out, but not something I needed. Overall, a good reference for the shelf, but I would not call it a complete field manual.