Old Bell Gossett Circulator Pump Bearing Assembly

Old Bell Gossett Circulator Pump Bearing Assembly
Old Bell Gossett Circulator Pump Bearing Assembly - This very old Bell Gossett Circulator pump and bearing assembly was found still functioning even after being flooded out several times in a basement. The pump, probably on its last leg, is at least 20 years old and still functioning.

It is unusual for an electric motor to continue to operate after being subjected to flooding. A circulator pump is comprised of an electric motor and a bearing assembly which holds the impeller. (more…)

Boiler Piping Plant Renovation | HVAC Hydronics

Boiler Piping Plant Renovation
Boiler Piping Plant Renovation - Hot Water Boiler Piping for a commercial boiler application. Boiler project being renovated and getting all new DDC controls for optimum hydronic control and efficiency. Boilers are an excellent way of providing good hot water heating to a large building or community.

In this case, new boilers were installed to replace the old inefficient boilers. The piping was rearranged and a hot water boiler economizer preheater added to make efficiency better. New controls were added for remote monitoring and control and to improve efficiency. Lastly, the entire plant got a makeover to make things more reliable, efficient, and modern. (more…)

Hot Water Boiler Piping Zone Valves

Hot Water Boiler Piping Zone Valves
Hot Water Boiler Piping Zone Valves - Boiler piping zone valves are used for zoning hot water systems where multiple zones are needed. Hot water system zoning can also reduce energy cost because hot water heat zones which are not needed can be shut down thereby reducing boiler runtime to provide hot water heat for those specific zones.

Zoning a hot water boiler system can be done by using these zone valves and separate thermostats for each zone. The boiler piping loop is separated using zone valves on a manifold type system with each zone originating at the manifold. The manifold is piped directly to the boiler. (more…)

Aquastat Temperature Control | Boiler Components

Boiler Aquastat Temperature Control

Aquastat is the gray box on the left while the circulator is the black pump on the right.

Aquastat Temperature Control - The boiler aquastat controls the temperature of the water inside the boiler jacket. The boiler aquastat is a device to a boiler like a thermostat is to an air conditioner, heat pump, or gas/oil furnace. A boiler aquastat controls the temperature inside the boiler just as the thermostat controls the temperature for an air conditioner or heat pump.

The boiler aquastat will turn the burners on and off and also controls the circulator pump on a hot water boiler system.
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Boiler Maintenance | HVAC Heating

Boiler Maintenance
Boiler Maintenance | HVAC Heating - Almost as if by rote many maintenance departments begin their annual maintenance in late summer to get ready for the cooler weather. Does your department understand how important the code is or do they take all this for granted?

Do they understand that if an accident were to occur all these maintenance procedures will be placed under a microscope especially if someone is injured or worse, killed? Along with OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) and local code enforcement not to mention private firms hired to investigate an accident and that someone or something will be held responsible for the accident. (more…)

Boiler Pressure Relief Valve | Boiler Safety

Boiler Pressure Relief Valve - Boiler Safety
The boiler pressure relief valve (PRV) is a safety valve designed to relieve an excessive build-up of pressure inside the boiler. The is a pressure vessel designed to handle a safe amount of pressure. If the pressure were to build up beyond the safety limitations as set forth by the design specifications the boiler system needs a safe way to vent the pressure to prevent an explosion. Furthermore, the boiler PRV is a safe way to vent excessive dangerous pressures inside the boiler. (more…)

Hot Water Boilers – HVAC Hydronic Heating

Hot Water Boilers
Hot Water Boilers - HVAC Hydronic Heating - People who use boilers for their primary source of heat report that they love the kind of heat that a boiler provides, whether they have a hot water steam boiler. If you thought that there is only one type of heat, you might want to reconsider. All you have to do is add adjectives to the beginning of the word heat. There is:

  • Dry heat
  • Wet heat
  • Drafty heat
  • Even heat
  • Uneven heat

Boiler heat will give you even, draft-less heat. That is opposed to “drafty”, uneven heat that some heat pumps and forced air systems provide.
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Automatic Air Vents | HVAC Hydronics

Automatic Air Vents
The automatic air vent is found in the piping system of water loops. If air is introduced into the water loop system it eventually finds its way to the automatic air vent where it is vented. The automatic air vents are located throughout the system. Automatic air vents may also be found throughout any hydronic loop system. A hydronic loop is a water loop.

These water loops can be for hot water or chilled water. Any hydronic loop needs an air management system or automatic air bleeder system to keep the air out of the system otherwise, the air will be up in the system and air will block or prevent the flow of water throughout the loop. Water naturally has air in it. Air vents help the water loop by: (more…)