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TO CONDENSE OR NOT TO CONDENSE

High energy prices have created a consumer driven shift toward high efficiency modulating/condensing boilers. Yet many remain skeptical of the true value of a condensing boiler, especially in high temperature applications, such as baseboard or hydro air. However, the high efficiency boiler creates savings by modulating its firing rate down. For example the Sync boiler, by Lochinvar is equipped with a 10:1 turndown ratio and can fire at a rate as low as 10% of the full rated capacity of the boiler.
Now let’s talk about condensing. In a condensing boiler, when flue gases condense, or change state from a gas to a liquid, latent heat gets absorbed by the water in the heat exchanger. Instead of flue gas heat going up the chimney, its heat is now applied to the system water. The lower the return water temperature, the greater the condensing will be. Since condensing begins at around 135 degrees, designing your system with a 25° delta T and a supply temperature of 160° will yield return water cold enough to condense. With a properly sized boiler there are few days each heating season that require water temperatures over 160 degrees. In fact standard baseboard can still provide heat with water temperatures of 110 degrees.
If that isn't enough to sell it, how about rebates and tax credits of $2,500.00 residentially and, depending on which gas utility, as much as $15,000.00 commercially per boiler.

NO MORE SINGLE WALL TANKS IN PLAINVILLE, MA


With the adoption of 527 CMR Board of Fire Prevention Regulations sections 4.00 and 9.00, Plainville has made double wall oil storage tanks mandatory.  The Board of Health also requires “Interior tanks shall be installed so that any basement flooding will not deteriorate or compromise the integrity of the tank.”  And if you are not familiar with it 527 CMR section 4.03:5(b) States

(b) A supply tank larger than ten gallons (38L) but not larger than 660 gallons (2500 L) shall meet the construction provisions of Standard UL 80, UL 2258 or be a secondary containment type tank meeting the following standards:

1. The primary tank shall meet the German Institute for Construction Technology (DIBt) Standard PA-V1-321, Requirements and Test Methods for Thermoplastic Tanks made from Blow Molded Polyethylene, Rotationally Molded Polyethylene and Anionic Polymerization of Plyamide-6, or an equivalent standard.

2. The secondary containment shall be provided by a liquid tight outer jacket of galvanized steel or stainless steel with a minimum 18 gauge nominal thickness.

3. A means of detecting a leak from the primary tank into the secondary tank shall be provided.



DO YOU NEED A PORSCHE OR A PICKUP


When it comes to replacing a pump you need to know what your conditions are to avoid problems later.  Let’s examine the performance characteristics of 2 Bell & Gossett PL series pumps, the PL-55 and the PL130. Initially many would assume that the PL-130 is a bigger pump and will flow at a higher rate than the PL-55, However that isn’t always true. 

Going back to the Porsche vs. Pickup analogy the Porsche can certainly outrun the Pickup any day of the week right, now hook a 7,000 lb trailer to the back of them and the Porsche doesn’t move and the Pickup runs away.  In this example the PL-130 is the Porsche and the PL-55 is the pickup.  Take a look at the pump curve below:














On the left is the feet of head the pump can operate against and along the bottom is the gallons per minute it will flow.  So at 10 feet of head pressure the PL-130 flows 85GPM while the PL-55 flows 45GPM, but increase the head pressure to 18 feet and the PL-130 drops to 25GPM while the PL-55 now is flowing 40GPM.  Next time your sizing a pump take a minute to consider the conditions it save time and money later on.

ROTH INDUSTRIES LOOKS TO MAKE LEAKING OIL TANKS EXTINCT.


A new marketing promotion “ DINOSAUR IN YOUR BASEMENT” by Roth Industries aims to educate homeowners on the benefits of double wall tanks.  This customizable program allows companies to partner with Roth to create a website that will generate qualified leads for customers in need of tank replacement.  Contact your Roth DWT distributor or FIA for more information.

ARE DEGREE DAYS IMPORTANT


Absolutely, they can really make the difference in calculating your return on investment.  Let’s take a quick look at how this October with the unseasonably warm weather, could impact our perceived savings not only historically but in the future. By using my house as an example, which has a single pipe steam system with a standard efficiency boiler we can see the weather related impact.  Last October we used 82 therms for heating and hot water production, this year that dropped to 50 therms or a reduction in use of 39%.  Since I did not make an efficiency upgrades these savings are strictly weather related.  Now let’s look at my usage factoring in degree days, last October we had 271 degree days vs. 157 days this year.  So my usage last year was .30 therms per degree day and this year .31 therms which is actually an increase.  If next year the weather pattern is the same as 2010 some customers who have made high efficiency upgrades may actually see an increase in the fuel usage, so it is important when discussing energy savings to base it on degree days.