Taco Geo-Sentry Zone Valve

Introducing the all new Taco Geo-Sentry Zone Valve for geothermal applications.

Since the introduction of the zone sentry we have received numerous requests for a valve suitable for geothermal applications. Now we have it! The Geo-Sentry is specifically designed for use in both open or closed loop geothermal systems, and is suitable for almost any highly-oxygenated open hydronic system.

 The Geo-Sentry keeps all of the great features and benefits of the Zone Sentry:

• Up to 93% less energy usage
• Universal Installation Orientation
• Usable on Condensing Chilled Water Installations
• 12 valves on one 40VA transformer
• Multi-Function LED
• Quick Connect Wiring
• 125 PSI Shut-off
• Push button actuator replacement
• Easy wire quick connections
• Manual override button
• Positional indicator

Some changes to the valve materials will allow the Geo-Sentry to be used in system fluids with concentrations of methanol or ethanol up to 25%. The Geo-Sentry Valve is available in a multitude of configurations and size combinations. This includes 1/2", 3/4" and 1" in both sweat and NPT connection types, 2-way N/O or N/C valves and 3-way diverting valves. This all adds up to a total of 18 different configuration possibilities.

Click here for the literature.

To learn more about the new Taco Geo-Sentry, visit Taco's website here.

Pipe Fusion Technology

What Is TRITON Pipe Fusion?

The revolutionary TRITON system from Watts is the first application of radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic technology, a trusted method of welding used in industrial applications, for plastic piping. This new welding technique has many advantages over conventional pipe joining processes:

• TRITON enables pipe joining and pressure testing in minutes (instead of hours)
• TRITON welds can be completed by one person, reducing required manpower
• TRITON creates a safer work environment—no exposed heating elements, no adhesives with VOCs, no exposed flame
• TRITON outside diameter welds offer unobstructed flow and decreased pressure drop, reducing overall system cost
• TRITON is ready to use in minutes—no waiting for exposed heating elements to heat up
• TRITON uses less energy than conventional pipe joining technology

The lightweight and portable TRITON system is designed for applications utilizing flexible plastic piping. Non-potable applications include geothermal, irrigation, mining, process, and natural gas.

How It Works

1. The Control Unit converts standard 110/120 VAC electrical current to DC electrical current, then generates a radio frequency (RF) signal.
2. The RF signal is transferred to the jaws of the Fuser and concentrated into a high-frequency electromagnetic field.
3. The pipe Fittings contain materials that react with the electromagnetic field, creating heat.
4. The heat fuses the plastic pipe and Fitting together to form a hermetic weld.
5. As the pipe heats, the Fuse-Tel™ indicator emerges on the Fitting to signal a completed weld.

Get the brochure here.

Static Pressure: Bathroom Ventilation

Properly sized ventilation in airtight homes and apartments helps to assure healthy indoor air quality. Both intermittent (spot) ventilation and continuous (whole house) ventilation should be considered. Intermittent ventilation is used to exhaust sources of moisture and odors, while continuous ventilation is used to remove accumulated indoor air pollutants. Ventilating fans should be located near the source of moisture and indoor air pollutants in bathrooms, laundry rooms, kitchens, hobby rooms and smoking rooms.

The first step when sizing for a ventilating fan is to determine the application. Decide whether you are sizing for intermittent or continuous ventilation. If intermittent, determine which application i.e. bathroom, kitchen or other. Use the following industry recommendations to determine Air Changes per Hour (ACH) for your specific application.

Intermittent (spot) ventilation:
The Home Ventilating Institute (HVI) recommends the following Air Changes per Hour (ACH).
I. Bathrooms - 8 ACH
II. Kitchens - 15 ACH
III. Other Rooms - 6 ACH

Continuous (whole house) ventilation:
Many building codes have adopted the American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Standard 62, as shown below.

• I. House or apartment - 0.35 ACH

The second step is to calculate the area being ventilated. Calculate square feet or cubic feet depending on which sizing method you choose. The third step is to measure the Equivalent Duct Length of the planned duct run. This requires a basic understanding of static pressure caused by a duct run design and its components.

Static Pressure and Duct Run:
A ventilating fan must overcome resistance when pushing air from the inlet, through the duct, to the outside of the building. This resistance is known as static pressure. The amount of static pressure depends on the duct length, type of duct, elbows and the roof jack or wall cap.

Equivalent Duct Length (EDL):

Static pressure in a typical duct run is caused by the type of duct material, elbows, exterior wall cap, etc. The table shown illustrates the standard values for duct components. The EDL chart allows you to calculate the equivalent straight duct length in order to overcome static pressure caused by each component in a duct run. The EDL helps assure the fan performs as expected under the airflow resistance caused by the components listed in this chart.

A ventilating fan's performance is plotted on a graph called a performance curve. The performance curve shows airflow in cubic feet per minute (CFM) along the horizontal axis and static pressure (resistance) along the vertical axis. The fan with a "Closed duct" has high static pressure and no airflow; and the fan with "No duct" has low static pressure and high airflow. In reality, an installed fan will be somewhere in between these two points.

Typical sizing: (Rule of Thumb)Range of square foot: 1 sq. ft per cfm up to 1.2 sq. ft per cfm max.

The following method can be used for sizing fans. The Sizing Chart Method follows industry standards and will give you similar outcomes. The Sizing Chart Method is easier.

Note: You should check with your local building inspector to confirm that these methods are accepted in your area.

Sizing Chart Method: Example: Sizing for an 8 ft x 12 ft x 8 ft ceiling bathroom using 12-foot long, 4 inch diameter aluminum flex duct, one elbow, one wall cap.

Step 1. Determine the ACH required for the given application using the HVI and ASHRAE standards above. • Bathroom – 8 ACH
Step 2. Calculate the Area to be ventilated in Square Feet.
2a. Assuming 8 foot ceiling: room length x width. • 8 ft x 12 ft = 96 sq ft.
2b. Guideline for cathedral ceilings:
i. 10 – 12 ft cathedral = length x width x 1.25
ii. 12 – 16 ft cathedral = length x width x 1.5
Step 3. Use the Equivalent Duct Length chart above to calculate the duct run.
3a. 12 ft flex aluminum duct x 1.25 = 15 feet EDL
3b. One elbow equals 15 feet EDL
3c. One roof jack equals 30 feet EDL
• (12 ft length x 1.25 alum. flex) + 15 ft elbow + 30 ft wall cap = 60 ft EDL
This is the equivalent duct length (or resistance) the fan must overcome to move air through the duct to the outside.