How to install a heat exchanger?

Prior planning is very important before the installation of any types of heat exchangers.
- Adequate foundations and supports should be provided to bear the static weight of the heat exchanger unit, the weight of the units in it, and the dynamic loads due to wind, earthquake, etc. to make sure that heat exchanger will not settle thus causing strains in piping and stresses in the unit.
- Leave enough space to be able to service heat exchanger in a future, such as cleaning, repairs or replacement.
- Piping configuration should allow bypassing of heat exchanger for inspection, cleaning, and repairs. Cooling water piping should be set to allow backflushing to remove deposits.
- Piping should be able to expand and contract freely. It should not transmit fluid pulsations and mechanical vibrations to heat exchanger
- Provide necessary instruments to measure temperatures and pressure next to heat exchanger.
- Do not pipe drain connections to a common closed manifold, as it makes it difficult to check if heat exchanger has been thoroughly drained or not.

During actual installation of the heat exchanger on site take the following steps:
- On receipt of a heat exchanger inspect it for any damage in transit.
- Remove packing and preservative materials if the heat exchanger has been stored prior to installation.
- Set the heat exchanger square and level so that the piping connections can be made without forcing.
- Insulate the heat exchanger if very hot or cold compared to the ambient temperature.
- Pressure test the heat exchanger before starting operation.

USPS Priority Mail

Free Expedited Shipping

Water to Air Heat Exchanger Selection

Live in NYC? Get a FREE Programmable Thermostat. Priced at $300

Did you know that you can actually get a FREE programmable thermostat from Carrier that priced at $300?

If you live in NYC and have a central A/C system, you may be eligible to get one.

To learn details of the program call ConEdison at 1-866-521-8600 or visit http://www.conedprograms.com/

2011 Federal Tax Credit for Tankless Water Heaters

In 2011 the maximum deduction on Federal Tax Return for tankless water heaters is $300.

On December 17, 2010 President Obama signed "The Reid-McConnell Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act of 2010". This act extended tax credits for qualifying energy-efficient, residential water heaters and boilers placed in service between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2011. The structure is similar to the "2009-2010 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act", however, the credit amount has changed. Water heaters are still required to have an energy factor >= 0.82 or a thermal efficiency >= 90% to qualify for the federal tax credit in 2011.

Effective Dates:

January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2011.

Product Qualifications and Credit Amount for Tankless Water Heaters:

• Energy factor >= 0.82 OR Thermal Efficiency >=90%
• Credit Amount: $300

Federal Tax Credit 2011 Guidelines:

• Tankless water heater must be “placed in service” between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2011. The IRS defines "placed in service" as when the property is ready and available for use. It's not when you purchase product, but the day installation is complete, and you are able to use your new product.
• The tax credit is ONLY available for existing homes. Tankless water heater must be installed in an existing home that is also your principal residence in the United States. New construction and rentals do not qualify for federal tax credit.
• There is an overall cap of $500 for fiscal years 2006 – 2011 combined. If you have ever claimed this credit in the past, it counts toward the $500 cap (but does not affect the $1500 limit available for 2009 and 2010). So, for example, if you claimed $300 in 2007, you can only claim $200 in 2011; if you claimed $800 in 2009, you cannot claim any more credit.

How to Claim Your Federal Tax Credit for 2011:

• Purchase and install a qualifying tankless water heater between Jan. 1, 2011 - Dec. 31, 2011
• Save your proof of purchase along with a copy of the 2011 Manufacturer’s Certification Statement. A Manufacturer’s Certification Statement is a signed statement from the manufacturer certifying that the product or component qualifies for the tax credit. Most manufacturers provide these Certifications on their website. Taxpayers must keep a copy of the certification statement for their records, but do not have to submit a copy with their tax return.
• For products "placed in service" in 2011, you need to file the 2011 IRS Form 5695 and submit it with your 2011 taxes (by April 15, 2012). On the 1040 form the residential energy tax credit (from Form 5695) is claimed on line 52.



For details about availability of state and local rebates, visit:

Tankless water heaters buying guide

Shell and tube evaporator

Shell and tube evaporator designed to cool the fresh water circulating in the system. Heat from the water pipes passed the boiling water in evaporator. The evaporator can be used to cool other fluids in agreement with the manufacturer. The surface of the shell and tube evaporator is treated by specially designed heat isolating compound, for more efficient operation.

Shell and tube evaporators considered as the main heat exchange equipment.

How do ASME specification numbers for different materials and alloys differ from those given by the ASTM?

ASME prefixes an S, e.g., SA202. It generally indicates that the material A202 specified by the ASTM has been adopted by the ASME Code, although it may not be true in all cases. Not all ASTM specified materials adopted by the ASME Code.

Beer Wort Plate Chiller Performance Data

Beer Wort Plate Chiller Performance Data

What role do the ASTM Standards play in specifying the materials?

ASTM has various committees that evaluate the materials based upon the wide experiences the committee members have. They also give a specific number to the material.

How do ASME specification numbers for different materials and alloys differ from those given by the ASTM?

ASME prefixes an S, e.g., SA202. It generally indicates that the material A202 specified by the ASTM has been adopted by the ASME Code, although it may not be true in all cases. Not all ASTM specified materials adopted by the ASME Code.

Types of Hot Water Systems

The basic setup of a solar hot water system includes:
- solar collectors;
- storage tank;
- various control devices;
- network of piping.

Indirect heating systems circulate water or fluid through a continuous pipe loop and transfer heat via a heat exchanger.
Direct heating systems run fresh water through the collector’s piping and into the home for direct use.


Hot water heating systems can be also defined by their means of circulation:
1. Active heating systems use an electric pump to move the water or fluid mechanically.
2. Passive heating systems move water without the use of pumps. As the water in the collector heats up, it rises up into a storage tank while cold water refills the collector tubes.

Solar heating systems for domestic heating needs may include a separate storage tank that feeds preheated water into a standard tank-style hot water heater or a tankless on-demand water heater. That way it’s easier to boost the temperature of the water for use, as needed. In other systems, solar-heated water is fed directly into a single hot water tank, which typically contains its own conventional heat source.

Florida Solar Energy Center

The FSEC is the Florida state energy research institute. Among its roles in the solar industry, the FSEC conducts tests to compare efficiency and economics of flat plate collectors. The FSEC website (http://www.fsec.ucf.edu/) provides a list of tested products by manufacturer, as well as numerous educational tools for consumers thinking about going solar.

Solar Hot Water Heating Systems

In a basic solar hot water heating system, water or antifreeze fluid is circulating through rooftop solar collectors, then down into the house or swimming pool, where it feed a system to supply domestic hot water or to supplement space heating equipment.

Solar hot water heating systems are used in many different climates and are inexpensive and reliable. In addition to environmental benefits, solar hot water heating systems can yield quick financial returns.

Most of the times, solar heating systems are used in conjunction with conventional heating equipment, such as a hot water heater or boiler, providing preheated water to the system to reduce its net energy use.

On average, solar heating systems for domestic heating needs are most cost effective when they supply around 70 percent of home’s hot water.

Solar heating systems supplementing heating equipment are most cost-effective when designed to offset 40 to 80 percent of the home’s annual demand.

How to install tankless water heater?

1. Attach the mounting hardware to the framing members as recommended. Make sure the unit will be level and positioned so the tankless water heater will meet minimum clearance requirement.

2. Set the tankless water heater onto the mounting hardware. Run code-approved vent pipe from unit out of the house. Follow local code regarding length of the vent and placement of the termination.

3. Attach the exhaust connector and gasket at the exhaust condensate tube or trap in the exhaust line of required by code.

4. Run gas supply line from the main and connect to the tankless water heater unit as directed. Pipe material and size must meet minimum standards for the unit. Flexible copper lines generally are not allowed. Black iron pipes are preferred for natural gas. While installing tankless water heater, make sure that line is equipped with a manual shutoff valve near the heater unit.

5. Run cold water supply to the water inlet port on the tankless water heater unit and connect as directed. Insert an inlet filter screen between the supply line and the inlet port.

6. Connect a pressure relief valve (PRV) to the hot supply line; confirm that any shutoff valves located downstream from the pressure relief valves. Connect the hot water outlet to the correct outlet port with a compression fitting. Attach a discharge line to the pressure relief valve if required by code.

7. Follow manufacturer’s instructions to make the electrical connections to operate the blower fan and control panel. Most tankless water heater units must be independently grounded. Replace cover plate when finished. Tankless water heater must pass the inspection before use. This typically includes leak and pressure inspections on the gas and water lines. Replace cover plate when finished.

8. Test the gas line for leaks by brushing soap suds onto the connections. Leaking gas will cause the suds to bubble up. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for setting up, operating, and maintaining your tankless water heater unit.

Ways to heat your home with wood

One of the popular ways to heat your home with wood is heating your house with outside wood furnace.

Heating home with outside wood furnace is especially beneficial to people suffering from asthma and other respiratory diseases, as outside wood furnace burns wood away from the home, thus eliminating smoke and ashes inside the house.

If you live in a suburb, smoke from outside wood furnace may disturb the neighbors, if chimney is low. This is not a problem for rural areas.

Tankless Water Heaters Advantages

Tankless water heaters offer many advantages, including increased energy efficiency and ease of getting almost unlimited supply of hot water. Those are the main reasons why tankless water heaters have been popular in Europe and Asia for a long time, and now are increasingly popular in USA.
Tankless water heaters can be fueled by natural gas or propane. The operating principle of tankless water heaters is quite simple: cold water enters the tankless water heater and flows through the coils, exiting the heater at temperatures of 100-140 degree F.

A moderate size tankless water heater can deliver 6-8 gallons of heated water per minute. This is enough to supply a shower and 1-2 sink faucets.

Tankless water heaters with higher output rates, such as 10 gallons per minute, are able to supply multiple bathrooms that are used concurrently with heated hot water.

There are always other options available, such as to install multiple tankless water heaters to supply various zones of your home with hot water.

Gas tankless water heaters must be independently vented out of the house with gas rated vent pipe. In many cases, tankless water heaters should be installed with twin-pipe vent system, where fresh air is piped directly into a sealed burner from outdoors.

From cost-of-operation and efficiency standpoint, installing gas-fueled tankless water heaters makes a lot of sense. But installing tankless water heaters yourself is extremely challenging and dangerous task. A permit and on-site inspection are required.

Which types of water heaters qualify for tax credit?

There are currently three types of water heaters that qualify for the tax credit for energy-efficiency:

- Whole house tankless water heaters;

- Solar water heaters;

- Electric heat pump water heaters.

To qualify for the tax credit water heater must have:

- Energy Star designation;

- Manufacturer Certification Statement.

Water Heater FAQs:

FAQ – Do any high-efficiency gas storage water heaters qualify for the tax credit?

A – No. Only tankless water heaters, solar, and electric heat pump types qualify for the tax credit for energy-efficiency.



FAQ – Do small tankless water heaters qualify for the tax credit?

A – No. The minimum approved flow is 2.5 GPM over a 77 degree rise.



FAQ – If I install the water heater myself, can I add the cost of my labor to the total price for calculating the tax credit amount?

A – No, but check http://www.energystar.gov/ before filling out your tax return to make sure the rule hasn’t changed.

How to choose Water Heaters to get Tax Credit?

In an average household, hot water costs accounts roughly at 15 cents out of every dollar paid for utility bills. However, much of this money actually spent for just keeping the water in the storage tank hot. Conventional hot water heaters are relatively inexpensive, but high utility bills will eat up that initial savings within first few years.

Conventional Water Heaters are simply large steel tank wrapped with a thin layer of insulation. In conventional water heaters, water is warmed by a gas or electric heating element that kicks on whenever the water temperature drops below the specified settings.

High-efficiency Water Heaters have basic design similar to conventional water heaters, but use better burners, power venting, and have more insulation to achieve lower energy usage. Many high-efficiency water heaters received the Energy Star designation, but almost none of them are efficient enough to qualify for energy-efficiency tax credit.

Gas-condensing Water Heaters also do not qualify yet for energy-efficiency tax credit.

Gas Tankless Water Heaters eliminate the storage tank and instead just heat water when it’s needed. Gas tankless water heaters have a simple operating principle. The cold water flows into a heat exchanger, where the heat from gas flame is transferred to the water. Typically whole house tankless water heater with an Energy Star label qualifies for energy-efficiency tax credit.

Solar Hot Water Heaters store water like conventional water heaters do, but the energy used for hot water heating comes from solar collectors. Typically solar hot water heaters use a backup heat source for cloudy days. Solar hot water heaters with energy star label qualify for energy-efficiency tax credit.

Electric Heat Pump Water Heaters are relatively a new technology. They work like air source heat pumps, extracting heat from air with a liquid refrigerant and then passing the heated refrigerant through coils in the hot water heater, where the heat is transferred to the water.

What is a thermal plate in brazed plate heat exchanger?

Thermal plate is the one that transfers heat. In brazed plate heat exchangers and PHEs, the end plates do not transfer any heat. End plates in brazed plate heat exchangers and PHEs simply contain the fluid and prevent it from touching the pressure plates, which are generally made of mild steel and mot not suitable for a particular fluid.

Thus, in a brazed plate heat exchanger and PHE with a total of 40 plates, only 38 plates are thermal plates, regardless of the number of passes.

However, if one connector plate is used in between the plate pack, so that on fluid exchangers heat with two others, the plates on either side of the connector plate also do not transfer any heat, and out of total of 20 plates, only 16 will be thermal plates.