If you're responsible for maintaining your building's heating and cooling systems, here's the short version: Regularly cleaning your Burnham boiler with the right brushes and knowing how to clean your AC condenser can extend equipment life by years. It's not about being a technician. It's about asking the right questions and buying the right tools.
Why I'm Writing This
I'm an office administrator for a 40-person company. I manage all our facilities-related ordering—roughly $50,000 annually across 12 vendors. I report to both operations and finance. When I took over purchasing in 2020, I had no idea what a burner cleaning brush was. I learned the hard way.
Burnham Boiler Cleaning Brushes: Not Just Any Brush
People assume any stiff wire brush will do for cleaning a boiler's heat exchanger. The reality is that using the wrong brush can damage the tubes and reduce efficiency.
Here's something vendors won't tell you: Burnham boilers, especially older 'EMP' models, have specific tube diameters. A brush that's too large can get stuck. One that's too small won't remove the soot buildup that insulates the metal and wastes fuel.
What I Look For When Ordering Brushes
- Size matters. I now verify the tube diameter from the manual before ordering. (I learned this in 2023 after ordering a set that was 1/4" too big.)
- Bristle material. Stainless steel for tough carbon deposits, but nylon if you're concerned about scratching. I stick with stainless for annual cleanings.
- Handle length. Get a longer handle than you think you need. It makes the job easier (note to self: order a 36" handle next time).
To be fair, a brush is a brush to some extent. But the difference between a good clean and a great clean is using the right one. A lesson learned the hard way.
The Burnham EMP Boiler: A Special Case
The Burnham EMP boiler is a workhorse. But it has a specific cleaning procedure. From the outside, it looks like a standard boiler. The reality is its heat exchanger design requires more attention to the rear sections. I keep a copy of the manual in our maintenance binder (this was back in 2021, but the principles haven't changed).
Never expected that the most expensive cleaning brush would be the one that fit perfectly. Turns out that paying a little more for the correct tool saved me a service call fee.
Water Heater & Diesel Heater Maintenance: A Quick Note
While we're on the topic of heating equipment, a clean indirect water heater (like the ones Burnham makes) runs more efficiently. I check the anode rod annually. A diesel heater? Different beast. But the principle of regular inspection is the same. I've been meaning to write a separate guide on that (mental note: do that).
How to Clean AC Condenser: The Overlooked Summer Job
Now, let's talk about summer. The same admin buyer who orders boiler brushes in the fall should know how to clean AC condenser coils in the spring.
What most people don't realize is that a dirty condenser coil can increase energy consumption by 30%. The surprise wasn't how dirty ours was. It was how much better the system worked after a simple cleaning.
The Right Way (Based on My Experience)
- Turn off power. At the breaker. Not just the thermostat.
- Remove debris. Leaves, grass, dirt. I use a shop vac with a soft brush attachment.
- Use a coil cleaner. I buy a no-rinse foam cleaner from a local supply house. Spray it on, let it foam, let it drain.
- Rinse gently. A garden hose, not a pressure washer. Pressure washers can bend the fins. This is a common mistake.
I get why people use a pressure washer—it's faster—but the potential for damage isn't worth it. To be fair, I learned this after I bent a few fins myself in 2022. I straightened them with a fin comb, but it was extra work.
Granted, this is a simple task. But it's often skipped. A lesson learned the hard way: a $15 can of coil cleaner and 20 minutes of my time probably saved us a $500 service call.
Per FTC guidelines (ftc.gov), claims about energy savings should be substantiated. My experience—a 30% reduction in our June-July electricity bill after cleaning the condenser—is anecdotal, but it's consistent with industry best practices.
When This Advice Doesn't Apply
Look, I'm not saying this is a complete maintenance guide. If you have a complex commercial system with multiple zones, or if your boiler is under warranty and requires professional service, don't ignore the manual. Some warranties require a licensed technician. Also, if your AC system uses a heat pump, the procedure is slightly different.
As of January 2025, the principles I've shared here are accurate. But equipment evolves, so verify current recommendations from your manufacturer.
Small doesn't mean unimportant. A $20 brush and a $15 can of coil cleaner, used correctly, can add years to your equipment. It's worth the time. Exactly what we needed.
