Blog

Williams Air Sponge - Your Total Space Solution

2012-02-23T08:41:00.000-05:00

Enhances Room Comfort Protects Your Home and Furnishings Guards Against Mold and Other Contaminants

The Air Sponge! dehumidifier from Williams is designed to work with your central cooling system and it's ductwork, maintaining a desired humidity level throughout your entire home, office or wherever you choose to use it. Unlike noisy, portable dehumidifiers that only serve a limited range, the Air Sponge! dehumidifier is a total space solution designed to control excess moisture in every area of your indoor environment.

Huge 130-pint capacity per day means optimum humidity control.
Operates with your central cooling system or as a stand-alone unit.
Operates automatically.
Provides effective, efficient dehumidification.
Simple to install using existing ductwork.

Dowload the brochure here.

Buffer Tanks

2012-02-17T11:15:00.000-05:00

The Boiler Buddy is designed to be used in heating systems with low-mass boilers, geothermal, chilled water applications, or low-mass radiation. Boilers operating at low loads will short cycle which leads to sooting, premature component failure (nuisance lockouts) and inefficiency. The Boiler Buddy tank is a factory insulated and jacketed storage tank, adding mass to the system and providing the necessary buffer to prevent short cycling.

The Boiler Buddy was engineered with your needs in mind:

Aquastat Control Well included for precise temperature measurement for heating and geothermal systems.
Air Eliminator built into the top of tank provides optimal air elimination for the whole system.
Boiler Buddy provides hydro separation, making piping design simple.
Full port boiler drain valve allows easy sediment removal and also works exceptionally well for fast filling the system.
Designed with large nipples to provide better flow that is easier on equipment, more efficient, and allows for better mixing in tank.

Learn more about Boiler Buddy here.

Attend a Free Seminar Presented by John Barba

2012-02-14T07:52:00.000-05:00

Attend a Free Seminar Presented by John Barba:

'Profitable Hydronics in Today's Market,'

February 20 & 21

As a member of the FloPro Team, you are invited to attend John Barba's next free webinar later this month. We can accommodate only a limited number of participants, so please sign up today using the links below.

Profitable Hydronics in Today's Market

Many of the federal tax credits are gone, the economy is what it is and people are—as they always have been—price conscious. What's a heating contractor to do?

Join Taco's John Barba for a clear-eyed look at the challenges we face in 2012 and to learn five simple strategies to help you get the price you want for your jobs in a highly competitive hydronics marketplace.

Why "payback" or "ROI" should be part, but ONLY part, of what you present to a customer.
Why customers hardly ever buy on price, even though they say they always do.
Why builders/remodelers aren't so different from you and me.
And the one cardinal sin you should never, ever commit.

Please join us for a fast-paced and informative hour online that will help prepare you for a successful 2012!

Mon, Feb 20, 2012 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM EST

Tue, Feb 21, 2012 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM EST

Once registered you'll receive an email confirming your registration, along with information you need to join the webinar.

System Requirements

PC-based attendees Required: Windows® 7, Vista, XP or 2003 Server
Macintosh®-based attendees Required: Mac OS® X 10.5 or newer

Attendance is free and open to all FloPro Team members who are also registered in the FloPro Neighborhood online community. If not already registered, register now for free. And learn more with John at your own place, at your own pace, any time, at the FloPro University.

IGSHPA Geothermal Installer Certification Training

2012-02-14T06:51:00.002-05:00

Many of you have asked about certified geothermal training courses. Emerson Swan is happy to announce that we have teamed up with Heat Spring to offer a course that will earn you IGSHPA accredited and NATE certified geothermal heat pump installer. The class will be presented by Heat Spring and held right here at Emerson Swan.

This course is a three day comprehensive course focused on the installation of geothermal heating and cooling systems. The course includes an open book exam to become an IGSHPA accredited geothermal installer. You’ll dive into the things to watch out for; pros & cons of system types; best practices - all from an instructor with real on the job experience!

Why Attend?

Learn to design and install geothermal systems
Become an accredited geothermal installer
Hands-on pipe fusion certification
Includes 7 Manuals and IGSHPA Membership
Earn an important industry accreditation and get listed on IGSHPA’s website. This is where most customers look for their installer
The instructor for the course wrote the new IGSHSPA manual, “Design and Installation of Geothermal Heat Pump Systems”

Course Dates: April 3-5, 2012 - 3 days (8am - 5pm)

Location: 300 Pond Street, Randolph, MA 02368

Sign-up: Visit www.heatspring.com and use offer code “Emerson” at online checkout for an additional $250 off the listed website price! Emerson Swan Price: $999

Please note that Heat Spring is a third party, independent of Emerson Swan. To learn more about Heat Spring please visit their website at www.heatspring.com.

MAPHCC - Save The Date: March 10, 2012

2012-02-10T14:26:00.002-05:00

Pre-register here.

And stop by the Emerson Swan booth. This year we are featuring a "Home Show" theme including:

Taco
HTP
Watts Radiant
Watts Residential Fire Protection (new)
AO Smith
Modine
Quick-Sling (new)
Smith's Heating Edge
Neutra-Safe Condensate Neutralizers (new)
Caml Tomlin
Little Giant
And much more...

Constant Pressure - What’s The Big Deal?

2012-02-06T08:06:00.001-05:00

For many Americans the water pressure they have in their home is inadequate. They either have low pressure or the pressure fluctuates so badly that their daily schedules in their home have to be arranged around the water usage.

Examples:

Two showers cannot be taken at the same time.
If there is any other water usage the washing machine takes forever to fill.
Heaven forbid someone flushes the toilet while someone else is trying to take a shower.

This is now a thing of the past...

Introducing the Little Giant In-Line CP (constant pressure) System.

Provides constant pressure (SD pressure switch)
Single pump and motor design
Quite operation
Compact pump/motor/drive design 18” long x 9” tall
Operates in a wide range of flows; up to 35 GPM
Requires minimum incoming pressure – 3psi
Increase of incoming pressure of up to 60psi
Stainless Steel Pump and Motor

Applications:

Homes on city water systems – The In-Line CP System not only boosts the water pressure but maintain consistent pressure no matter what the water demand is.

Multi-Family Dwellings – 2, 3 and 4 family units that share a common water system. Flats or Multiple efficiency apartments in 4 and 5 story buildings.

Homes with low yielding wells where a cistern is used to store water – When the water is pumped from the cistern to the home, the homeowners can enjoy constant water pressure.

Sprinkler Systems – The In-Line CP System will allow sprinkler systems to be designed with more sprinkler heads per zone with the pressure to provide better coverage of the lawn.

HTP Factory Training Now Available!

2012-02-01T06:34:00.000-05:00

Our new round of HTP factory trainings are now underway. These all day sessions were very popular last year and we've added new courses on the Elite FT boiler and the Versa-Flame & Versa-Hydro. Other classes offered include the Elite and MC boilers, Mod Con commercial boiler, the Pioneer heating appliance and a course on domestic hot water. These classes are for those who are looking for a more technical training. Subjects covered included piping installation, care and maintenance, venting, products that work best with these units, and much more. Trainings are hands on so you can get a feel for working with HTP products. And best of all, courses are FREE OF CHARGE! Courses fill-up quickly so be sure to register early.

For more detailed information about these courses click here.

To download a brochure click here.

To register for a session click here.

All classses are held at HTP's factory at 120 Braley Rd. East Freetown, MA 02717

For more information contact Judi at Emerson Swan: (781) 986 - 2000 ext. 108

Meet The New Taco Bumble Bee Pump

2012-01-26T07:29:00.000-05:00

State of the art performance for hydronic, radiant heat and snowmelt applications. The Taco Bumble Bee® is a wet rotor, variable speed "smart" circulator. The Bumble Bee delivers the ultimate 1-2 punch of electrical savings and system efficiency (fuel usage) cost savings. The unique ECM motor design saves over 50% of the electrical energy compared to conventional fixed speed and 3-speed circulators. When operated in the Delta-T mode it greatly increases the overall efficiency of the boiler so less fuel is used, which equals money saved. The Bumble Bee also increases whole house comfort by continuously adjusting its speed to delivering the right amount of BTU's (heat) at the right time to the right place in the system.

Features:

Uses over 50% less electricity
Increases occupant comfort
Decreases boiler fuel usage in Delta-T mode
115-230, 50/60 Hz, single phase
Plug-in remote temperature sensors (included)
Displays real-time watt usage and flow rate
Integral Flow Check (IFC®) included
360° rotating swivel-flange
Operating in three modes:
Delta-T mode for a fixed temperature differential (ΔT), select from 5°F to 50°F difference between supply & return sensors
4 Fixed speed selections
Set point mode to meet a desired temperature (65°F to 220°F)

High Efficiency Perimeter Heating

2012-01-23T06:14:00.000-05:00

Heating Edge HE2 High Capacity Hybrid Element is a perimeter heating (baseboard) product that consists of a unique, patented "coil block" and mounting system. The concept behind the product is to deliver very high BTU/HR capacities (output) using minimal footage compared to conventional baseboard. It's also designed with a mounting system that does away with all brackets and hangers, making for much easier installations.

Features:

High capacity
Easy to install, rust resistant and easy to clean
Available in a variety of lengths from 2 ft. up to 8 ft.
Attractive perforated cover design
Designed to deliver quiet comfort with performance and style
New enhanced scrub board fin design for maximum airflow
Superior low temperature performance range
Simple two piece mounting system – no brackets or hangers
Two pipe supply

Where Heating Edge HE2 really shines is in low temperature applications. Geothermal Heat Pumps, Solar Thermal and PVT Collectors and Condensing Boilers are all great ways to save energy and reduce fossil fuel usage. All three achieve their highest efficiencies when delivering low temperature water. The challenge faced when it comes to heating effectively with traditional baseboard is that supply water temperatures need to be at least 140° F in order to deliver enough BTU's to sufficiently heat a space at design temperature. Not so with Heating Edge. Due to HE2's unique two pipe design, it's able to deliver comparable BTU/H's using 100° F supply water, all in an attractive package.

Check out the new HE brochure here.

Emerson Swan On You Tube!

2012-01-19T07:00:00.000-05:00

Many of our manufacturer's have their own You Tube pages. They post helpful videos about their products, applications, useful tips and more. We thought why not combine all of the manufacturer's we represent into one You Tube page. Introducing the new Emerson Swan You Tube page! All the manufacturer's we represent, all the educational videos they have available, all in one place. Browse our page for the products and the brands you rely on everyday. New content is added frequently. We hope you find it useful.

View our You Tube page here.

What Is LEED?

2012-01-17T10:06:00.000-05:00

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System encourages and accelerates global adoption of sustainable green building and development practices through the creation and implementation of universally understood and accepted tools and performance criteria. LEED is a third-party certification program and an internationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. It provides building owners and operators the tools they need to have an immediate and measurable impact on their buildings’ performance. LEED promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health:

sustainable site development
water efficiency
energy efficiency
materials selection
indoor environmental quality

Credits and Prerequisites are organized into these five categories. An additional category, Innovation & Design Process, addresses sustainable building expertise as well as design measures not covered under these five environmental categories. Certain rating systems include additional relevant categories. LEED Canada for Homes, for instance, includes a Location and Linkages category and an Awareness and Education category. Certification is based on the total point score achieved, following an independent review and an audit of selected Credits. With four possible levels of certification (certified, silver, gold and platinum), LEED® is flexible enough to accommodate a wide range of green building strategies that best fit the constraints and goals of particular projects.

Learn more here.

Learn about Geofinity geothermal products here.

The Next Phase In Interactive Remote Monitoring

2012-01-11T06:33:00.000-05:00

The next phase in interactive remote monitoring provided by A. O. Smith.

iCOMM™ Elite utilizes the latest technology in commercial water heating that allows us to interact with, proactively manage, and monitor your A. O. Smith water heaters for you. With this industry exclusive service, A. O. Smith can help you minimize down time for repairs and reduce lost revenue caused by interruption in hot water delivery. Above all, by doing all the work for you, we can help you enjoy the one thing everyone wants—the ultimate peace of mind.

iCOMM Allows You To:

Access current and historical water heater data
Monitor “live” water heater status using a Web browser
Respond instantly to a leak detection notification
Proactively manage fault alerts sent via text message or e-mail
Monitor your fleet of water heaters, regardless of location
Have peace of mind

Residential Applications:

Now you can have full access to your water heater when you’re away from home! Enjoy total peace of mind with the ability to simply monitor them at your convenience from anywhere in the world via a Web browser using iCOMM technology.

Upgrade to iCOMM Elite and let us do the worrying for you!

Commercial Applications:

With the iCOMM Elite service from A. O. Smith, we'll monitor your facility’s water heaters or boilers for you, no matter how many locations you manage. We'll even dispatch service for you. Enjoy unprecedented capabilities such as managing fault alerts and responding to leak detection and optional reports that can be emailed to you.

There are four easy steps you need to follow in order to begin taking advantage of the benefits iCOMM offers:

Step 1 – Confirm you have a compatible unit.

Step 2 – Verify that you have an always-on Internet connection in the same room as the water heater(s).

Step 3 – Call 1-888-WATER02 to purchase.

Step 4 – Don’t forget to order the Elite Service Package (optional), letting us handle all your hot water needs.

Learn more here.

Take $5 Out Of Circulation

2012-01-06T06:44:00.000-05:00

Beginning on January 15, 2012, get a $5 rebate check from Taco for every 3-speed circulator you purchase! The more 3-speed circulators you check out, the more $5 checks come in. Improve your cash flow this year by choosing Taco!

Click here for the redemption form.

Learn more about Taco 3-speed circulators here.

Wohler VIS 340 Visual Inspection System

2012-01-04T07:01:00.000-05:00

Inspect effortlessly the condition of pipeworks, air ducts, vents, cracks, gaskets and much more with the Wohler VIS Series! Hidden damages are made visible and can be documented also for consultant activities.

Features at a glance:

SD card: digital memory
all-encompassing: 360° pan- and 180° tiltable camera eye
small dimensions: The camera measures 1 1/2" Ø and 2 1/3 in length.
waterproof fully encapsulated waterproof camera head with exchangeable dome
flexible 90°-bends are easily negotiable for the camera
super bright lighting: The LED lighting of the camera head gives crystal clearpictures, even in dark environments.
exact location: digital distance measurement with a resolution of 0.005 ft. (VIS 330)

Applications at a glance:

versatile applications: The Wohler VIS 3xx Advanced Camera System is the essential tool to determine problems.
utilities and supplies: new possibilities to inspect pipework, drains and sinks
commercial and residential building inspection: detection of problems in hollow spaces, intermediate ceilings, ductwork and chimneys
industrial applications: inspection of machines, control panels, exhaust systems and production surveilance

View the brochure here.

Install Hints For Metal Hose - Do's & Don'ts

2011-12-28T07:34:00.000-05:00

Flexible metal pipe connector (or flexible metal hose) is a relatively expensive part of your piping system. Fabricated of thin-wall tubing, it cannot take as much abuse as pipe of the same nominal diameter. The connectors are designed to do a specific job, and will give you excellent service if they are installed properly. Carelessness and lack of foresight have proven costly in many jobs. Install it correctly, if you want it to work correctly.

Don’t COMPRESS a flexible connector to make it fit! Installing it under compression stresses corrugated element, slackens braid pressure-restrainer, reduces further compressive movement, and generally results in early failure.

DO be sure to install it at exact normal free length as supplied. If connector is too long, shorten piping.

Don’t FORCE-ROTATE one end of connector to match bolt holes in mating flange. This sets up residual torque-stress in connector, which causes cracking of corrugations or fitting joint. A flexible, connector absorbs vibration, or slow movement perpendicular to its axis. It is NOT capable of withstanding torque.

DO be sure all bolt holes are perfectly lined up before welding pipe flange into place. Best insurance is use of one floating flange, to ease matching of bolt holes.

Don’t STRETCH connector to fit a gap longer than its factory-furnished length. Stretching places excessive residual stresses on braid and fittings. Result? Early rupture.

DO measure carefully to be sure connecting pipe is cut to exact length.

Don’t IMPOSE TORQUE on connector when making up fittings and don’t use a wrench on the ferrule or on the braid. Where a hex end is provided, use it. If not, use the wrench on the fitting length provided. Always use two wrenches, to keep the hose from being torqued as the joint is made up.

Don’t let welding sparks hit the braid; they may burn some of the braid stands. Protect braid with asbestos cloth or place other nonflammable material in front of it when piping must be welded very close nearby.

DON’T FAIL TO ANCHOR. Anchor piping close to flexible connector, at end opposite source of vibration. If not, hose will transmit all vibration to pipe line, it may even amplify it. Anchor flexible metal hose at the piping end, never at the equipment end. If hose is not securely anchored, it will transmit all vibration to the piping system. Not only that, it will often act like a spring and actually amplify the vibrations. Whenever possible, install flexible connector to pump, compressor, or other vibrating equipment- before valves, pipe line, fittings so that most vibration is absorbed and isolated instead of being transmitted.

A Closer Look At Little Giant's NXTGen

2011-12-21T06:49:00.000-05:00

Little Giant condensate removal pumps are engineered for a wide range of specific air conditioning, refrigeration, and heating applications, as well as may other automatic drain uses. The NXTGen is Little Giant's newest in pump technology. This particular model features an anti-sweat sleeve for areas of high humidity, where significant amounts of condensation can build up on the outside of the tank, causing water damage. Here's a closer look...

1. 1/4 Turn Check Valve

Allows servicing w/out removing tubing A
Eliminates water spills

2. Patent-Pending Cooling Design

Improved cooling increases pump life

3. Slimmer Footprint

4.8” x 10.2” x 6.5”
Offers flexibility in tight places

4. Sleek & Stylish Appearance

Performs as good as it looks

5. Optional External Overflow Safety Switch

Option to connect air handler shutdown or activate an alarm or building automation system

6. External Test/Run Lever

Quick test/run and easy draining of the tank for servicing

7. Oil Resistant Tank & Check Valve

Eliminate problem of cracked tanks w/exposure to oil

8. Rubber Feet

Absorb vibration on hard install surfaces

9. Sump Style Tank Design

Less residual water left in tank

2012 Training Classes Are Now Available!

2011-12-15T06:41:00.000-05:00

We've come out with our 2012 Emerson Swan training schedule. This year Bruce Marshall will be offering half day courses as well as some of his most popular full day seminars. All classes will be held at Emerson Swan's corporate office at 300 Pond St. Randolph, MA 02368. Be sure to check the training & education section of our website for all the courses that are being offered. You can sign up online with a credit too for added convenience. If you have any questions, or would like to request a custom seminar, call us at (800) 346 - 9215 and ask for Judi, or email her at jlapidesgoldberg@emersonswan.com.

Click here to download the latest brochure.

Williams High-Efficiency Direct-Vent Furnaces

2011-12-11T09:43:00.000-05:00

The Williams High Efficiency Direct-Vent furnace is a high-efficiency, low-profile furnace that may be installed nearly anywhere. Great for homes, apartments, offices, garages and room additions.

Just minutes are all that is needed to warm up your room while enjoying the moneysaving, high-efficiency design, modern appearance and low-cost installation. Williams' high-efficiency direct-vent furnaces require no inside air for operation. making them an ideal choice for safe operation to add comfort to nearly anyplace heat is needed.

Efficiency Ratings:
7,400 Btu/hr. Series: 79%
17,700 and 29,000 Btu/hr. Series: 82%
Easy installation -- all vent material included
Attractive, durable fresh-white finish.
Natural and propane models
Unique wall-mount design frees up floor space
Small, low-profile vent size
Sealed-combustion safety technology uses no inside room air for operation.

View the brochure here.

Learn more about Williams products by visiting our website.

Introducing The New HTP Elite FT Boiler

2011-12-06T06:28:00.000-05:00

The Elite FT heating boiler from HTP features an exclusively designed stainless steel heat exchanger with superior heat transfer and less exposure to corrosion and scale buildup. Built with serviceability in mind; the sleek, robust design requires little to no maintenance and is offered as a space saving wall mount unit. Featuring a fully modulating combustion system and extreme efficiencies up to 97%, the HTP Elite FT boiler is the best option for today's green market.

The HTP Elite FT boiler is available in three sizes: 55,000, 80,000 & 110,000 BTU's for any residential application.

For a comparison chart here.

For the brochure click here.

Taco Promotion!

2011-12-01T07:09:00.000-05:00

There's one month left in the Taco "Slap You Five" promotion. Until December 31, 2011 you will receive a $5 Amazon gift card for each Taco 007, 007-IFC or 00R 3-Speed circulator purchased. The more you buy, the more you get! It's Taco's way of thanking you for your support throughout the years. Click here to download the redemption form.

For any questions, feel free to call us at (800) 346-9215.

Automatic Trap Primer Valve

2011-11-28T08:17:00.000-05:00

This innovative trap priming system automatically primes up to four floor drain traps using our patented water distributsion system. The PRIME-RITE requires no adjustment but must be installed on a cold water line of 1-1/2" (38mm) diameter or less. The priming valve is automatically activated when it senses a pressure drop of 5 to 10 P.S.I.G. (35 to 70 kpa). The valve's operating range is 35 to 75 P.S.I.G. (245 to 535 kpa). All PR-500 Valves include integral vacuum breaker parts.

The PR-500 Prime-rite trap primer is an easy to use and install product. It has a ½” inch inlet and outlet to connect to most normal lines and can be installed on cold water lines 1-1/2” diameters or less. The PR-500 also adjusts to line pressure to keep you from worrying about the trap primer when it’s in use.

PPP PR-500 Prime-rite Primer Automatic Trap Primer Valve Features:

• 1/2" inlet/outlet
• Installed on cold water lines of 1-1/2" diameter or less.
• Automatically adjusts to line pressure
• One priming valve will prime 1 to 4 floor drain traps, using the water distibution system
• Machined from CDA 360 corrosion resistant brass
• Does not contain springs, diaphrams, or plastic parts

* The priming valve must have a minimum elevation of 12 inches above the finished floor.
• CA/VT compliant

Why We Need Relief Valves

2011-11-21T06:39:00.000-05:00

Ever wonder what would happen if a relief valve failed or was plugged? This short video on Youtube from Mythbusters shows just what can happen. These guys constructed a mock up of a 2 story house and set a 53 gallon electric water heater in what would be the basement. They plugged the relief valve and monitored the temperature and pressure from a safe distance. What happened a few minutes later will amaze and frighten you at the same time.

Domestic Hot Water

2011-11-14T09:25:00.001-05:00

The Problem:
Waiting for Hot Water
It’s a common problem: turn on the faucet or shower for hot water, then wait for it to arrive. With a Taco Domestic Hot Water Recirculation System in place, there’s no more wait. Instant hot water!

Waiting Means Wasting
Waiting for hot water sends millions of gallons of cooled water down the drain each year. In fact, an average family of 4 wastes up to 14,000 gallons of water each year waiting for hot water.*
*Source: Dept. of Energy study.

Energy Down The Drain
Of course, all that “waiting water” contains some heat energy (BTU’s). Wasting those BTU’s and starting over with fresh, cold water requires even more heat energy. So in addition to wasting water, millions of BTU’s and energy dollars are wasted, too.

The Solution:
Install a Domestic Hot Water Recirculation System.
The Taco Plumb n’ Plug® Recirculation System is specifically designed for:

Instant hot water comfort
Water savings
Energy savings

How a Domestic Hot Water Recirculation System Works
A standard DHW system requires a dedicated return line from the furthest fixture back to the water heater. The return line is connected to a tee at the tank drain valve or to the tank’s cold water supply line. A Taco Plumb n’ Plug® recirculation pump with an optional Integral Flow Check (IFC) is installed on the return line and controlled by a timer or temperature aquastat. The spring-loaded IFC prevents gravity circulation during off-cycles. The timer turns on the pump at preset intervals, usually during peak use periods. An optional Aquastat operates the pump to keep hot water in the line within a set range (95°F–115°F). All supply and return lines should be insulated for maximum energy savings.

View the DHW catalog here.

View The Rebates You Qualify For Right Here!

2011-11-01T08:26:00.000-04:00

Introducing The Quick-Sling

2011-10-25T09:37:00.004-04:00

Emerson-Swan is proud to introduce a new manufacturer into our offering. The Quick-Sling makes installation quick and easy. This hanger installs in minutes, literally five minutes! The Quick-Sling is tested to hold 800lbs making it a versatile and cost effective solution to your install. The Quick-Sling fits all air handlers and furnaces on the market today. The Quick-Sling comes with 100% satisfaction guarantee. We know you're going to love this product. It's also made right here in the USA. Check out the video below showing a Quick-Stand (floor mount version) being installed. And be sure to visit our website for more information and brochures to download. Emerson-Swan has this product in stock for added convenience.

The Versa-Flame by HTP

2011-10-18T11:08:00.000-04:00

The Versa-Flame gas fired combination unit offers endless hot water and space heating in one extremely efficient unit while fitting into a small footprint, saving on energy, space and cost.

As the second unit to be added to HTP’s Versa-Series, the Versa-Flame incorporates the most revolutionary elements of today’s heating technology with Hydronic mass stabilization. Utilizing high thermal mass the Versa-Flame has the highest first hour output found in the market today, reaching 288 gallons for the first hour delivery.

The unique thermal mass design can only be found in HTP’s innovative Versa-Flame. Stored energy allows the unit to avoid a common issue found in tankless units where domestic hot water flow is interrupted by cold water flow. The Versa-Flame can handle more domestic hot water loads than any other combination platform.

Featuring a unique single loop design with low pressure drop the Versa-Flame eliminates the need for primary secondary circulation for space heating applications, which makes this unit inexpensive and easy to install, saving both the contractor and the homeowner.

Incorporating two heat exchangers for domestic hot water and space heating, the Versa-Flame is a fully modulating unit with an internal PI controller monitoring system conditions to meet demands while operating at a five to one turndown rating. With negative regulation technology the unit induces just the right amount of gas through the valve to mix with fresh air intake, being sure not to use more energy than necessary.

With unique high efficiency space heating attributes, HTP’s proprietary heat exchanger is surrounded by 55 gallons of thermal mass held inside of a stainless steel tank. Thermal mass allows the unit to operate at high efficiencies by reducing unnecessary cycling while avoiding “flashing” which is a common concern found in tankless units. This advancement in technology allows the unit to handle smaller heating loads by reducing short cycling and energy waste.

When a demand for domestic hot water is initialized, heat is pulled from inside of the tank and fed through a brazed plate heat exchanger located at the top of the unit. At 4.8 gallons per minute at a 77 degree temperature rise, the Versa-Flame out performs any competitive combination unit with the ability to simultaneously handle multiple calls for domestic hot water at one time with optimal comfort and efficiency.

The Versa-Flame is offered in three different model sizes offering a great range of availability suitable for residential and smaller commercial needs with the ability to daisy chain up to eight units. After 35 years in the heating industry HTP continues to test the limits of the heating industry by constantly re-inventing the field with high efficient products that offer cost and energy savings.

Non-Vacuum Vents For Steam Systems

2011-10-13T08:32:00.002-04:00

Quick, uniform distribution of heat to all radiation is the first essential to perfect performance. This requires balancing the radiation by controlled venting. Vent-Rite #1 Non-Vacuum vents are adjustable and all vents are designed for positive action and straightline venting. They function automatically to vent the air. If, through an unusual condition, the vent is filled with water, the vent port automatically closes. Vent-Rite has been supplying high quality steam and hot water air valves to home owners, public buildings, institutions and industry for over fifty years and continues to enjoy a reputation for reliability and excellence.

All Vent-Rite valves are made in the USA.

Learn more here.

Raychem Pipe Freezing Protection

2011-10-06T10:56:00.003-04:00

Industrial pipe freeze protection systems are intended to prevent the freezing of fluids in pipes. Raychem electrical pipe freeze protection systems are designed for a variety of industrial applications and environments, including hazardous, non-hazardous, and steam cleanable.

A complete electrical heat-tracing system is much more than just the heating cable. Raychem can provide a complete system from electrical transformer and heat-trace panel to power connection, heating cable, end termination, glass tape and warning labels. We can supply the individual components, provide engineering and design and even install and maintain the entire system.

Electric heating cables are used to maintain temperature of non-flowing fluids by replacing the heat lost through thermal insulation on pipes, vessels and associated equipment.

Learn more here.

Circulator Pump Buying Guide

2011-09-27T14:28:00.001-04:00

There are several factors to consider when purchasing a circulator pump. These include Horsepower, flow rate & head loss, material, connection method, features, and brand.

Horsepower

Horsepower or HP refers to the strength of the motor in a given pump. Horsepower is one of the most important considerations when selecting a circulator pump. A pumps' horsepower may vary from 1/40 HP for small pumps to several horsepower for large commercial pumps. Horsepower directly affects the flow rate and head loss characteristics of a pump. Only within the same brand does higher horsepower indicate a more powerful pump. When comparing pumps from different brands, you must consider both horsepower and RPMs to choose a pump with the appropriate power based on gallons per minute (GPM) and head loss of your system.

Flow Rate & Pressure Loss

The flow rate of a pump is defined as the gallons of liquid a pump can move in a minute (GPM) given a certain head loss pressure. The appropriate pump will be able to reach the required flow rate while overcoming the systems' head loss. A pump curve, which displays head loss figures on the y-axis and flow rate on the x-axis, is commonly used to find the correct pump

Material

Circulator pumps may be constructed out of cast iron, bronze or stainless steel. Cast Iron pumps, such as the Taco 007, are the most common in heating applications where oxygen-barrier PEX tubing is used. With no oxygen barrier in the tubing, bronze pumps may be required in heating applications to prevent rusting. In plumbing systems, bronze or stainless steel pumps must be used.

Connection Method

The most common way to connect a pump is with flanges. Flanges are used to make a threaded or sweat connection between a pump and the supply pipe leading to it. Common sizes of flanges are 3/4", 1", 1-1/4", and 1-1/2". Cast iron and bronze flanges are available and should be purchased to match the material of the pump being used. Recent innovations in flanges include shutoff valves and drains. These types of flanges may be purchased to ease installation, but are not required.

Pumps may also be connected using sweat or threaded connections. The pump will specify if it may be connected in this manner.

Features

Circulator pumps may come standard or with several additional features. The two most common features are an integral flow check (IFC) or variable speed. The Taco 007-IFC is an example of a pump that comes with an integral flow check. The placement of the flow check in the pump ensures that it won't be needed elsewhere in the system. A variable speed pump such as the Taco 00R-MSFIFC has the ability to operate at several different speeds. These pumps are commonly used in radiant heat systems.

Residential Fire Protection

2011-09-12T09:08:00.000-04:00

Many of today’s cash-strapped communities recognize the safety benefits of fire sprinklers, and the cost savings that come from the conservation of precious emergency-response resources. Cities and states across the U.S. are passing legislation and ordinances requiring mandatory fire sprinklers in new home construction and often providing contractors with significant incentives to install them.

Watts Residential Fire Protection Products are UL 1821 listed and meet National Fire Protection Association requirements for fire suppression (NFPA 13D) when designed and installed by professionals who are licensed/certified for residential fire protection. All Watts brand residential fire protection products are made in the USA. As with all Watts products, Residential Fire Protection products are made from the most durable and reliable components the industry has to offer.

Learn more about this product here.

Selecting a Thermometer

2011-08-26T09:11:00.000-04:00

When selecting a thermometer, it is important to consider the dial or case size, stem or capillary length, and the connection type and temperature range. To ensure safety and accuracy, thermometers should be selected while giving consideration to the measured media and the ambient operating conditions. Improper application may be detrimental to the thermometer, causing failure and possible personal injury or property damage.

While there are 3 basic operating types of thermometers, they being bimetal, liquid-in-glass, and Bourdon tube, the list can really be expanded to also include RTD and solar digital thermometers. All five types may appear suitable for any typical applications, however, the correct selection depends upon the industry being served and the application specified.

The following will serve as a general overview of each of these thermometers.

Bi-metal Thermometers

Bi-metal thermometers are direct sensing instruments. They are hermetically sealed and therefore, completely waterproof. All bi-metal thermometers are made of stainless steel to protect against corrosive conditions.

How they work: Two different metals with different coefficients of thermal expansion are bonded together.

As temperature changes, the unequal expansion of the two metals will cause the bimetal strip to curl, causing a displacement. This displacement is transferred from a ridged shaft to a delicate spring that drives the pointer.

Liquid-in-glass Thermometers

Also known as liquid expansion thermometers, liquid-inglass thermometers are perhaps the most popular type of thermometer. There are two types of liquid-in-glass thermometers: industrial and laboratory.

How they work: These thermometers indicate pressure by measuring expansion and contraction (i.e. as the fill liquid is heated, it expands and rises). The temperature is indicated on the vertical scale next to the fill liquid in the glass tube.

Remote Reading Thermometers

By means of a capillary tube with a sensing probe at one end and an indicating dial on the other, temperatures can be determined from a source that is up to 30’ (100m) away.

How they work: The capillary of the thermometer is filled with a gas or vapour. As temperature changes, the gas or vapour expands/contracts, creating pressure that is measured by a Bourdon tube. Some of the most common capillary fills are nitrogen (in gas thermometers) and isobutene (in vapour thermometers). Consider factors such as ambient temperature, humidity, installation, indoors or outdoors, presence of dust, corrosive atmosphere, mechanical shock, frequency and magnitude of vibration.

RTD (Resistance Temperature Detector)

When an application requires remote reading capability combined with high accuracy, a Resistance Temperature Detector (RTD) may be the best option.

How they work: RTDs work by reading the resistance charge across a metal wire that is produced from each temperature input. RTDs can be supplied with a transmitter fitted inside the RTD head to provide an industry standard 4-20mA output signal.

Solar Digital Thermometers

Digital readouts are sometimes preferred in some industrial environments. Expansion and bi-metal sensing thermometers are both available with digital readouts and solar powered.

How they work: The temperature reading is captured by a sensor that relays the data to a digital display. No additional power supply is required to power these thermometers. These thermometers require between 16 to 35 lux of illumination.

New Training Classes Are Now Available!

2011-08-16T10:45:00.000-04:00

We are continuing to update our training class offerings. During the second half of 2011 we will be offering two new courses, diligent design & selling hydronics. Both classes are full days and are taught by Bruce Marshall. The diligent design course focuses on maximizing ROI by utilizing new concepts in heating. Energy efficiency and new technologies will be discussed. Our selling hydronic course teaches the art of the sale. We focus our attention on ways to make you more profitable in your business and give you some tips to close the deal. Come check out these and all of our available courses at our new website. You can browse all course offerings and sign-up online as well. Hope to see you soon!

http://www.emersonswan.com/resources/training.html

Why Turndown Ratio Matters

2011-08-11T09:09:00.005-04:00

In their smallest form, devices intended to heat water or other fluids using a chemical fuel (coal, gas, oil, electricity etc.) are usually thermostatically controlled. When the desired operating pressure/temperature is attained, the thermostat turns off the heat source. When the pressure/temperature has fallen (usually to a pre-determined level), the thermostat turns the heat source on. The heat source has only two states, ie on or off. This is undesirable in all but the smallest devices as the fluctuations in pressure/temperature lead to inefficiencies in fuel combustion/consumption.

If the heat source can be made to modulate, there can be considerable savings in fuel due to combustion processes and heat/wet side temperature differences. Pressure/temperature output can remain more constant which may be of benefit.

If it is only possible to turn the output of the heat source down to (for example) 50% of its maximum. This would give a turndown ratio of two. If the heat source could be turned down to 25% of its maximum value, the turndown ratio would be four and so on.

This means that if pressure/temperature falls, the heat source is progressively turned up.

The HTP Elite boiler has a best in class 6 to 1 turndown ratio which provides the high efficiency performace that today's cunsomers want. Made in the USA, the Elite boiler is energy star rated and built with quality. The Elite boiler comes in six models ranging from 80,000 btu - 399,00 btu making it suitable for any application.

Who Wants Red Sox Playoff Tickets?

2011-08-04T10:03:00.001-04:00

Anyone? Well if you do, you're in luck! Emerson Swan is giving away a pair of playoff tickets for the 2011 season. Simply go to our website and fill out the short form. We will announce the winner at the beginning of the playoffs. Good luck!

http://www.emersonswan.com/promo.html

The Future In Water Heaters

2011-08-02T08:49:00.000-04:00

Voltex® Hybrid Electric Heat Pump water heaters are the most versatile, energy-efficient option for the consumer who is looking to go green and save some green. Voltex can provide the same amount of hot water as a conventional electric water heater at half the cost. The Voltex® Hybrid Electric Heat Pump Water Heater is an integrated system that utilizes heat pump technology to provide a more efficient way to heat water with electricity. The Voltex pulls heat from the surrounding air and deposits the heat into the tank. The end result is very efficient production of hot water, with cooler and dehumidified air as a welcome by-product.

• Absorbs environmental heat and transfers it to the water, at the same time cooling and dehumidifying the ambient air

• With an 80-gallon tank, more energy is created through the heat pump technology, resulting in larger savings

• Four operation modes: high efficiency, hybrid, electric and vacation

• User-friendly LCD display for easy interaction

• Conserves energy thanks to 2.4 Energy Factor (EF)

• Eligible for Federal Tax Credit

• ENERGY STAR® qualified

• Available in 60 and 80-gallon models

Learn more about the Voltex® Hybrid Electric Heat Pump here.

The Three Types of Heat Transfer

2011-07-27T12:43:00.000-04:00

Convective heat transfer is what most of us are familiar with. This is how our forced air heating system or our baseboard system transfers energy (heat) to a space. Air moves over a heating element, becomes warmer and expands into the space. In a forced air environment, most of the hot air is at the ceiling, much the same way the hot air balloon rises, so will the warm air in a room heated with forced air. Convective heat transfer is the least efficient means to transfer energy.

Conductive heat transfer refers to two surfaces touching each other. Imagine a metal pan on the stove. If your hand is positioned an inch above the hot handle, you really won't feel much from the handle, and you can keep your hand there as long as you wish. But, when the handle is touched, your hand instantly begins to feel hot. This is conductive heat transfer. The pot is giving off the energy (heat) in the handle to your hand in a very fast, efficient manner. Conduction is one of the more efficient modes of heat transfer.

Radiant heat transfer is the best because it isn't slowed down by air. Radiant energy is only felt when the energy wave strikes another surface. This means the surrounding surfaces all reach set temperature. By enclosing your body by warm surfaces, we can better control how our bodies lose heat. Radiant floor heat means better comfort with higher efficiency.

Protect Your Home From A Water Heater Failure

2011-07-22T08:24:00.006-04:00

Most water heaters fail within 7 —10 years. That's about 5 million tank failures every year. The WAGS Valve was designed to protect consumers from flooding and damage due to water heater failure. Without a WAGS valve, a leaking water heater keeps refilling— and leaking. WAGS prevents disastrous floods and untold damage to your property.

WAGS stands for Water And Gas Safety. The WAGS valve is designed to shut off the water supply (plus gas supply for gas-fired heaters) in the event of a water leak from a hot water heater, thus minimizing water damage and possible gas leakage.

The WAGS Valve can easily be installed on all styles of water heaters. The reliable WAGS Valve is fully mechanical and requires no external power supply.

The WAGS Valve sits in a drip pan under the water heater and is activated when leaking water accumulates to a predetermined level in the pan. Once activated the valve shuts off the water and gas supply, indicated by a red pop-up tab.

Features Include:

• Easily installed on new or existing water heaters

• Dependable, proven technology

• Taco quality and reliability

• $1,000 Lifetime Protection Policy

Not convinced you need a WAGS Valve?

Check out some horror stories here

Emerson Swan Is Now On Facebook & Twitter

2011-07-18T09:53:00.002-04:00

Be sure to check out our brand new Facebook and Twitter accounts to stay up-to-date with the latest information on our products as well as our training offerings and trade show events. With stuff happening everyday, these networks will be a great resource to stay on top of things. Posts will be updated constantly with information that matters to you. We all get a lot of emails throughout the day and it can be hard to keep up with all of them. Social networks are a great way to get information when you want it, not when someone sends it to you. Check it out! We think you'll really find it useful.

Geothermal Loops

2011-07-14T06:54:00.001-04:00

The ground/earth loop provides the infrastructure for accessing and continually exchanging thermal energy between the earth and the building. GeoExchange loop systems can be classified as either closed or open. Closed Loop systems consist of a continuous, sealed, underground or submerged loop field of high-density polyethylene pipe through which a heat-transfer fluid is circulated between the ground and the heat pump. Closed Loop systems are installed in various configurations (horizontal, vertical or in a pond) dependent upon site characteristics. Open Loop/Groundwater systems are designed to use groundwater for the purpose of extracting or rejecting heat.

Vertical Loop

Vertical systems are used when land area is limited. For a vertical system, holes are drilled 10-20 feet apart and 100-400 feet deep in a grid matrix. A pair of pipes that are connected at the bottom with a U-bend are inserted into each bore hole. The pipes are then manifolded together and brought into the home.

Horizontal Loop

This type of installation is generally the most cost-effective for residential installations where sufficient land is available. It requires trenches to be dug by a backhoe or trencher to approximately 6 feet. GeoExchange pipe is then layered in the trenches, and the trenches are backfilled with soil.

Pond/Lake Loop

If the site has an adequate body of water close to the residence, approx. 1/2 acre by 8 feet deep, this may be the lowest cost option. Supply and return pipes are run underground from the home to the pond/lake and connected to a series of closed coils. These coils are submerged to the bottom of the pond/lake.

Open-Loop System

This type of system is used when an abundant supply of quality well water is available. Ground water is withdrawn from the aquifer/well and pumped into the heat pump. The discharge water is directed to a secondary well. The supply aquifer/well must have adequate capacity to provide flow for the heat pump and domestic water.

Bathroom Safety

2011-07-08T10:08:00.000-04:00

Slip and fall accidents in bathrooms cause thousands of injuries each year. As a result, the demand for bathroom safety products continues to increase. With that in mind Ponte Giulio, a manufacturer of architecturally friendly bathroom safety products brings their unique safety products to market.

Until recently, designers have had few choices for fashionable bathroom safety products. Ponte Giulio stands out by offering stylish solutions for safe bathrooms with their vast selection of decorative grab bars, safety seats and supports. Their ADA approved products give designers the opportunity to enhance their architectural expressions through the integration of safety features that not only look great, but are manufactured to the highest quality standards. Ponte Giulio’s uniquely designed vinyl coated bars allow users to customize their bathrooms to their specific needs.

What has distinguished Ponte Giulio’s brand for more than 30 years is the commitment to design products that can guarantee a safe and pleasant use of the bathroom for all people.

How The Federal Tax Credit Is Calculated For 2011

2011-07-02T17:48:00.000-04:00

If you’re like most homeowners, saving money on utility bills is a top priority for you. Bringing an environmentally friendly, high efficiency water heater or boiler into your home can be a great start. Recently, Congress increased residential tax credits for energy efficient improvements.

There are important limitations on this tax credit. First, this is a single tax credit that can be used on a variety of “qualifying energy efficiency improvements” placed into service in 2011. You may claim a maximum of 10% (with a cap of $500*) on all of your “qualifying energy efficiency improvements.” That means, for example, if you purchase and install a qualifying unit and claim $100 of the tax credit for the unit, you have only $400 of the credit left to claim on your other qualifying expenditures. Second, you can claim a maximum of $300 on any one qualifying item of energy-efficiency building property - such as a water heater ($150 for qualifying furnaces and boilers). Third, if you claimed previous tax credits on energy efficiency improvements in any tax year from 2006 to 2010, you have to deduct the amount of those credits from the $500 cap. If the total amount of your previous claims is more than $500, you cannot claim any credit for improvements installed in 2011.

Emerson-Swan has a number of high efficiency water heaters and boilers that will qualify for federal tax credits. Call us at 800-346-9215 to find out more.

Radiant Heat Installation

2011-06-27T10:47:00.000-04:00

Why would you want radiant heat in your home and what are the benefits?

Comfort is the biggest benefit. With radiant heat, heat is distributed evenly through the floors, warming them and then rising up throughout the rest of the room. When the floors are warm, the objects in the room (couches, chairs, and so on) become warm, and you become warm and comfortable. Radiant heat allows you to keep the average temperature a few degrees lower than you're used to but feel just as warm or even warmer. This saves energy and directly saves you money. Radiant heat is also silent with no creaking, rattling, banging, popping, humming or whistling. And there are no visible components with radiant heat so it will always fit in perfectly with your style.

Why is radiant heat better than conventional heating systems?

Comfort. Even heating eliminates the pockets of hot and cold typical of traditional radiator or convection heating systems. Instead of being warm right next to the heater and freezing on the other side of the room, radiant heat keeps the same temperature throughout the room by allowing heat to naturally rise.

You Talked, We Listened

2011-06-17T06:46:00.002-04:00

It has been a few months since the launch of our new website and the feedback has been very positive. We set out to put together a website that was user friendly and filled with the content our customers need. While putting the site together, we looked for advice from our customers on what they would like to see and how they would like to see it. Simple access to literature & specs, online registration for training classes and a complete company directory were some of the suggestions we received and implemented into our website.

Recently we had some feedback from the field that navigating to our manufacturer's websites direct from our website was not as quick as they would have liked. We took that feedback and created a fast path to our manufacturer's website using a drop-down menu on our manufacturer's home page. Now you are one simple click away from going to any of our manufacturer's websites.

We are constantly looking to improve our site. If you have any comments or feedback on things you like, dislike or would like to see on our website please let us know. We want our site to be a place you can go for information on all facets of the Heating, Plumbing and HVAC industry.

Which Style Of Pex Tubing Should I Use?

2011-06-13T19:29:00.001-04:00

PEX Tubing: Barrier vs Non-Barrier vs PEX-AL-PEX

Once you have decided to use PEX, you have another decision to make: what kind? Barrier, no barrier, aluminum, let's get them straight. Making the decision of whether to use Barrier PEX, Non-Barrier PEX, or PEX-AL-PEX is largely based on what job you are going to use it for and what other components you will be working with. All three types of tubing are PEX (Poly Ethylene X-Linked) but some have extra features built in.

Barrier PEX

The "barrier" referred to in PEX tubing is actually an oxygen barrier. This extra layer in your tubing will assure that no oxygen gets into your heating system. Oxygen in your system can be a problem that causes your system components to rust. The oxygen barrier and rust prevention allows you to use cast iron components in your system instead of all brass or bronze, which makes components like pumps and flanges substantially less expensive and keeps them running smoothly for longer. Antifreeze can also break down a system with no oxygen barrier. For radiant heat applications using closed systems, barrier tubing is by far the most popular choice. This style of tubing will save you money when buying parts and will prevent rust and corrosion.

Non-Barrier PEX

Non-barrier tubing is simply PEX tubing without the oxygen barrier. For potable water applications, you will generally use non-barrier PEX. Oxygen barrier PEX is made for heating applications and has thus not been approved for plumbing and drinking water. When using tubing without an oxygen barrier, you must be careful to assure that each and every component in your system is non-ferrous (meaning that it contains no iron). Non-barrier PEX Tubing is rarely seen in radiant heat systems, the few systems that do utilize non-barrier PEX are open systems. Non-barrier PEX for plumbing is available in red, white, and blue. Typically, red is used for hot water and blue is used for cold so that you can immediately see which line goes where when looking at a manifold.

PEX-AL-PEX

PEX-AL-PEX is a three-layer PEX Tubing that also has an oxygen barrier. PEX-AL-PEX is a layer of PEX, a layer of aluminum, and another layer of PEX. The main benefit of PEX-AL-PEX is that it holds its shape. Where traditional PEX is flexible, there is nothing that keeps it in place unless you tie it down every few feet. With PEX-AL-PEX, once you bend it, it will hold that shape until you bend it again. PEX-AL-PEX also has less expansion than standard PEX with the layer of aluminum assuring that it keeps its shape. PEX-AL-PEX is frequently used in outdoor heating applications, warmboard systems and for high temperature systems like baseboard and fan coils.

What Is Reverse Osmosis?

2011-06-09T07:01:00.000-04:00

Reverse osmosis, also known as hyper filtration, is the finest filtration available today. It is the most common treatment technology used by premium bottled water companies. It is effective in eliminating or substantially reducing a very wide array of contaminants, and of all technologies used to treat drinking water in residential applications, it has the greatest range of contaminant removal. Reverse osmosis will allow the removal of particles as small as individual ions. The pores in a reverse osmosis membrane are only approximately 0.0005 micron in size (bacteria are 0.2 to 1 micron & viruses are 0.02 to 0.4 microns).

How does it work?

Reverse osmosis uses a membrane that is semi-permeable, allowing pure water to pass through it, while rejecting the contaminants that are too large to pass through the tiny pores in the membrane.

Why purchase an RO system?

30 billion plastic bottles a year are dumped into U.S. landfills and it takes 1.7 billion barrels of oil to produce those bottles. This produces some 2.5 billion tons of carbon dioxide pollution. In fact, it takes three times as much water to make the bottle than it does to fill the bottle. And for what? People pay for the perception of clean water, but in fact the quality of the water is at best unknown. RO systems are proven to remove the contaminants and it is the “green thing to do”.

Electrical Equations

2011-06-06T06:37:00.000-04:00

Various kickspace manufacturers display their electrical power data in different forms. In order to convert between those forms, it is necessary to understand a few electrical basics.

There are many forms of electrical power whether it is horsepower (mechanical power), heat (thermal power) or some combination of the two such as candlepower (e.g. a light bulb which produces both heat and light).

Whatever the case, electrical power is measured in watts and is equal to volts x amperes.

The equation for this is: P = EI

Where:

P = power measured in watts

E = electromotive force measured in volts

I = current measured in amperes (amps)

Thus, if one manufacturer states that the motor draw on their kickspace is ½ amp and another says it’s 40 watts, the P = EI equation allows you to compare the two as long as they both are being run on a 115/120 VAC, single phase, 60 cycle power source.

Example: If manufacturer #1 says their kickspace is rate at 115/120 VAC 1/60 cycle and draws 40 watts, while manufacturer #2 says his kickspace is rated at 115/120 VAC/1/60 cycle and draws ½ amp. How does manufacturer #1 really compare to manufacturer #2?

Mfg. #1 P = E x I

Watts = volts x amps

40 watts = 120 volts x A

A = 40 watts

120 volts

A = 1/3 amps

We now see that manufacturer #1 has the advantage over manufacturer #2 since their motor draws fewer amps (current).

Going in the other direction, looking for manufacturer #2’s watts draw:

Manufacturer #2

P = E x I

Watts = volts x amps

Watts = 120 x ½

Watts = 60

Again, we confirm that manufacturer #1 has the advantage.

ERV vs. HRV

2011-06-01T06:15:00.000-04:00

HRV's are recommended for most regions of North America, where the heating season is longer than the cooling season. In winter, HRV's retain heat from outgoing air and transfer to incoming air. In summer HRV's work in reverse, retaining cooler air conditioned air and transferring to incoming fresh air

ERV's are recommended in regions where high outdoor humidity is cause for operating air conditioning/ dehumidification for an extended period of the year, and much more frequently than a heating system. The ideal geographic area of use defined by AHR standards is the Southeast U.S. – Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Carolinas only. ERV's are NOT recommended in any region of Canada, or in the

United States

where temperatures fall below 25F (-4C) for more than five days, where freezing of the internal core can occur.

Today some manufacturers lead Contractors and Builders to believe ERV's are better than HRV’s in cold climates. The fact is Lifebreath HRV's outperform the competitors ERV's and they are also cold weather certified.

The competitors ERV's are not!

Spark Is King

2011-05-25T06:27:00.000-04:00

Spark is King: The three main components needed for combustion are spark, fuel and air. You can have plenty of fuel and air, but without an ignition source (the spark) there will be no combustion. This is why spark has been deemed king of the ignition sequence.

The Solution: If a spark fails to ignite a unit, there are several steps that should be followed to correct the issue. First turn off the gas supply and remove the spark igniter from the mounting location. Then make sure that the spark igniter has a clear path into the exchanger. To verify this you take a small flat head screw driver and ream out the igniter mounting hole by pushing the refractor y material aside. Really make sure the path is clean. Next, reinstall the spark igniter while leaving the gas supply off. Finally, reset the system and check for a spark. Once a clean spark is established turn the gas supply on and the ignition process will come alive! Remember spark is king.

All of HTP’s products have a sight glass that allows technicians to take a look inside the heat exchanger. Technicians are able to see combustion take place through this sight glass. If the spark fails to ignite a boiler, then there is a good chance that it is shorting itself to ground. Electricity will always take the shortest path to ground.

Get The Most From Your High Efficiency Boiler

2011-05-22T09:58:00.002-04:00

Many condensing boilers are installed in homes that are fitted with conventional baseboard. Most homeowners who have these boilers installed are under the impression they’re getting more for their money. Unfortunately they’re not realizing the vast savings they were led to expect. Why? In short, because the boiler still needs to deliver 180˚ water to the baseboard in order to heat the house properly.

Modulating Condensing boilers achieve their highest efficiencies when delivering low temperature water and receiving low return water temperatures (see the chart below). The actual operating efficiency depends on the temperature of the return water stream: if it’s too warm then little condensation takes place and little extra energy is extracted. The lower the return water temp in relation to that of the products of combustion, the greater the heat transfer to the water and thus greater efficiency. There’s no doubt that mod-con boilers are much more efficient than conventional boilers, but by sticking with conventional baseboard, they’re not realizing their full potential by rarely operating in condensing mode as they were designed to do. To achieve the ultimate high efficiency system that allows the boiler to condense the majority of the time the installer needs to choose the ideal equipment for delivering heat using lower temperature water. This is where Smith’s Environmental comes in. Due to their unique designs, Smith’s products have the ability to deliver comparable BTUH’s to conventional equipment using 100˚- 120˚ F supply water.

A given length of Smith’s HE2 High Capacity Hybrid Heating Element can be used to replace the same length of regular baseboard and still deliver comparable BTU’s using much lower temperature water. For example; a 10’ length of conventional baseboard has the ability to deliver roughly 600 BTU’s per linear foot or 6,000 BTU’s total with 180˚ supply water at 4 GPM. A 10’ length of HE2 can deliver the same amount of BTU’s with only 120˚ supply water at 1 GPM* (*when installed with the two supplies in parallel). At a 20˚ ΔT, the 100˚ return water temperature will enable the boiler to operate in full condensing mode for much greater efficiency.

Geothermal heat pumps and solar-thermal collectors are designed to deliver lower temperature water making the proper choice of heating equipment that can deliver the necessary BTU’s even more critical. Don’t short-change your customers! Give them the highest efficiency system possible by utilizing high efficiency heating components by Smith’s Environmental Products when installing Mod Con boilers!

Learn more in our free catalog here.

Is A Condensate Neutralizer Necessary?

2011-05-20T07:42:00.009-04:00

Yes, even if you don't have to use one.

Typical condensate from a condensing boiler has a pH level of 3.2 to 4.5, which is acidic enough to leave stains, kill shrubs, and eat away cast iron drainage systems. In fact, in some municipalities condensate neutralizers are required by law when draining condensate into home plumbing systems.

Condensate production can be estimated based on one gallon per hour for every 100,000 BTUs of input, so make sure the size of the neutralizer is correct. Condensate neutralizers contain ½" marble or limestone chips that are readily available at any home store. Our neutralizers are clear, to allow consumers to see if the marble or limestone chips are low and need to be replaced. So remember to include a condensate neutralizer when designing a system. Not only is it good for the environment, it may also be required by law.

Learn more here.

Why Use A Delta-T Based Circulator?

2011-05-19T09:11:00.005-04:00

Why use a Delta-T based circulator? Delta-T works, it has to, it's part of the Universal Hydronics Formula which governs everything from pipe sizing to circulator selection that states:

GPM = BTUH ÷ (∆T x 500)

Basic math tells us that if we change the heat load required while the Delta-T and the 500 constant remain the same, the GPM required to deliver the heat has to change (variable speed pumping). The pump will automatically speed up if the heat load increases and slow down if it decreases.

Delta-P is not part of the equation!

At best, Delta-P is a guess (and even when guessed properly it's based on design conditions, not 20° - 55° where the majority of degree days occur). Delta-P can still over or under-pump a zone and does little to improve system comfort.