Domestic Hot Water Mixing Valve and Domestic Storage Tank

Domestic Hot Water Mixing Valve and Domestic Storage Tank
Domestic Hot Water Mixing Valve and Domestic Storage Tank - This domestic hot water mixing valve offers a way to temper the hot water coming from a hydronic hot water loop and boiler. It is very important to maintain the appropriate and desirable temperatures of water used for domestic water use.

First, you want to maintain a safe temperature so people are not scalded by extremely hot water temperatures. Once the temperature is safe it needs to be reliable. Since the boilers operate or are on standby 24/7 - 365, the availability is there to reliably make domestic hot water on demand. (more…)

What Happens When My Boiler is Flooded

What Happens When My Boiler is Flooded

An outside boiler is prone to flooding

What Happens When My Boiler is Flooded  - Richard, What Happens When My Boiler is Flooded? - Hurricane Irene was a disaster for us as we live in a Northern state that was hit by flooding from the rain of Hurricane Irene. As a result of the loss of power and the flooding, the basement was flooded.

Our boiler happens to be in the basement and we will soon need the heat. We have had a few contractors come by and look at the boiler with one contractor telling us we need to replace the boiler and another telling us we can rebuild the boiler. It is a little overwhelming given that winter is just around the corner and we need our heat. (more…)

Hot Water Boiler Economizer PreHeater | Energy Efficiency

Hot Water Boiler Economizer PreHeaterHot Water Boiler Economizer PreHeater | Energy Efficiency - This is a hot water economizer and is a big preheater for domestic hot water use. This hot water boiler plant serves a large community for heating and domestic hot water use. Domestic hot water is used for showers, washing dishes, laundry, etc, etc, etc….

The cold water supply from the city is routed through the economizer to be pre-heated before it goes through a heat exchanger and then the hot water storage tank. (more…)

Boiler Pipe Insulation – Energy Efficiency

Boiler Pipe Insulation - Energy Efficiency - Richard, I have lots of my boiler pipe under the house in a crawl space and some in the basement, and none of this pipe is insulated. I just bought the house last year and this past winter my gas bill was crazy high. Can I increase efficiency by insulating these pipes and what are some other ways to keep the gas bill lower by optimizing the boiler system?

Thanks and I look forward to your answer……….Bill – Pittsburgh, PA
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Air Handler Coils | HVAC AHU

Air Handler Coils
The air handler coils should be checked for dirt and debris which may have been sucked into the air handler inadvertently. Some air handlers have filters inside them before the coils. It is a good time to change the filters when making this check.

Any dirt or debris on the coil(s) should be removed immediately as these things will impede airflow through the air handler and throughout the entire system as a whole. Dirty evaporator coils can cause AC problems. Some air handler coils are installed in the air handler cabinet while other coils are installed in the ductwork. (more…)

Hot Water Heater Savings Tips | Energy Efficiency

Hot Water Heater Savings TipsHot Water Heater Savings Tips - As with many of our systems that consume energy there is always something more we can do to reduce energy consumption to save ourselves money. Water heaters consume up to 15% of our energy budget and even more if you have an older water heater. You can take steps to reduce the money you spend on heating water and save this money on water heater savings that you would otherwise pay to the utilities. (more…)

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…)

Liquid to Vapor Propane Evaporators | HVAC Heating

Liquid to Vapor Propane Evaporators

Liquid to Vapor Propane Evaporators

These evaporators serve a large complex where natural gas is unavailable. The complex needed fuel for boilers for heating and domestic hot water so these evaporators were installed too along with two very large LP tanks to handle the heating needs of the complex. As liquid propane (LP) has a specific weight of .504 (where water is 1) and propane vapor has a specific gravity of 1.5 (where the air is 1) making propane vapor 1.5 times heavier than air. (more…)