Objects naturally expand and contract as they are exposed to heat and cool down. It's Mother Nature at work. It can't be avoided, and it certainly should not be ignored....
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Category: News
Peril’s First Lesson: Change Always Comes
Welcome to “Peril,” a series focused on vertical firetube condensing boilers. Largely based on the “fire” generated from the original whitepaper, “The Perils of Firetube Condensing Boilers”, published January of 2020 and available HERE .
Each addition will provide more detail regarding marketplace trends, competitive products, and assertions from the article. It seems there are many others out there experiencing “Peril”, questioning the vertical firetube condensing design and wondering where to go to next.
Peril’s First Lesson : Change always comes
The KC 1000 condensing boiler appeared in 1988 and 9 years later the Benchmark surfaced in 1997 establishing the “standard” characteristics of what condensing boilers must posses. Oddly the market remains focused on traits of 1st condensing products steeped in “marketing” less pressure drop, variable primary piping, and footprint. This is the high end of the market, 23 years of the same thing is a long time. History shows in the move to higher efficiency, this model has peaked and is under siege from better performing products. Products that combine desired waterside characteristics of 1st models with stress-releasing designs providing longevity and common sense access for service & repair-ability those 1st models (and largest condensing players today) neglect. This should come as no surprise, products get smaller, faster, better, smaller all the time, condensing boilers are not immune to this change.
Let’s start with commercial steel and cast iron folks this past century. Water tube and firetube boilers were constructed and many buildings were built around them. When those boilers needed replacing cast iron sections could be easily hauled in assembled on site and gained favor. These two guys battled each other for decades with cast iron controlling a majority of lighter commercial applications and steel folks moving into larger applications until Mr. Copper boiler showed up representing better efficiency and smaller footprints. (hmmm does this sound familiar?) In about a decade, copper took nearly half of the boiler volume that was previously enjoyed by the steel and cast iron folks and stood atop of the high efficiency boiler market.
The move to copper signifies a market shift to higher efficiency products, a sign of times ahead. Commercial Copper appeared in the late 1980’s and dominance peaked in 1st decade of the 2000’s. Once again (funny how history repeats itself) in about a decade or more, condensing products displaced copper as the high end solution.
This bring us up to today, commercial condensing units (300mbh and up) have surpassed all non- condensing unit volume and are largely still based on the “benchmark” introduction of 1997. History tells us the current run of condensing products based on the introduction 23 years ago is ripe for major change. History tells us the next product of choice within condensing is already here and is displacing units from the top two condensing competitors still “out marketing” their same old message. Look at the ad spend these two giants have, have you seen a trade rag without both of them? A ton of relentless spend that has engineers believing there is no other option, no other choice, no better product….
Are we not at that same moment in time when copper displaced steel & cast iron? Are we not at the same point when condensing took from copper?
The products are here. They are watertubes. They use the same size pumps and the same piping arrangements. They are smaller, they are serviceable, they are repairable, and they are better. Are you ready for change?
“Peril” Reigns at AHR Orlando
Yes, this dragon is amazing!
Sonia Frush created “Peril” based on the “fire” generated from the original whitepaper, “The Perils of Firetube Condensing Boilers”, published nationally January of 2020 and available at https://www.thermalsolutions.com/the-perils-of-firetube-condensing/. The article showcases the “me too” movement in the industry of similar vertical designs and the “Peril” placed upon engineer, contractor, and owner by using the “accepted” standard. “We can do so much better than unserviceable and throw away commercial condensing boilers,” states Ms. Frush. The T-shirts were a huge hit and we are getting requests for other items to feature Peril.
Thermal Solutions proudly displayed the AMP condensing boiler and water heater series from 1000-4000mbh and the Arctic Condensing Series from 1000-6000mbh at AHR Orlando. Both products eliminate peril and are serviceable, unlike any other condensing products in the industry. Follow @ThermalSolutionsProducts on LinkedIn to get the latest updates on “The Perils of Vertical Firetubes”!
The Perils of Firetube Condensing
Copper replaced cast iron and condensing firetubes replaced copper, but what's next? How about a condensing boiler designed to move naturally with exposure to heat. A condensing boiler built around the thought of service AFTER the sale. A condensing boiler that is field repairable...the Arctic Series by Thermal Solutions. 1000-6000 MBH with natural, LP and dual fuel options, the Arctic delivers features based on common sense, not the common crowd.
Click HERE to learn more about the end of vertical firetubes.
Burnham Holdings Center for HVAC Technology
PHCP Pros, your professional plumbing, heating, cooling & piping community, highlights the Burnham Holdings Inc. Center for HVAC Technology Grand Opening on April 10, 2019. The Burnham Holdings Center for HVAC Technology is the newest edition to Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology located in Lancaster, PA. The HVAC Center gives students hands on experience with systems donated by U.S. Boiler Company and Thermal Solutions...
Learn more about the collaboration here.
Tru-O2 20:1 without all the excess air
Tru-O2 20:1 Without all the Excess Air
Available on the Arctic 3500-6000MBH Condensing Boilers, Tru-O2 delivers reliable turndown without the gimmicks.
- Constant O2 at highest and lowest fire setting
- Consistent dew point throughout turndown range
- Independent ignition position
- 9 point curve for adjustment
Download the Brochure or Contact Us to learn more.
AMP – Stainless Steel Commercial Condensing Hot Water Boiler
THE ERA OF BIG BOILERS IS OVER!
AMP, the new condensing boiler series from Thermal® Solutions providing unprecedented MAXIMUM output in MINIMAL space. Who said bigger is better? Our series averages 46% less required space than competitive models with 97% Thermal Efficiency. With an optional racking system, you can place twice the BTU’s in the same footprint!
The pace of change and improvement is relentless, yet somehow commercial condensing boilers have been immune. With so many imitations in the marketplace, perhaps the “me too” became standard in the industry. AMP provides efficient and compact design coupled with minimal piping requirements, distinguishing boiler rooms for years to come.
Start the New Era today with Thermal Solutions!
Click on the Brochure or Contact Us to learn more.
AHR Expo in Las Vegas, January 30 thru February 1, 2017
Thermal Solutions will be showcasing it's newest products and innovations at the AHR Expo in Las Vegas (Las Vegas Convention Center) on January 30 thru February 1, 2017.
On display will be:
Arctic Condensing Boiler:
- 95% Thermal Efficiency
- 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 3000 MBH Sizes
- Knockdown or Fully Packaged
- Field-Repairable Heat Exchanger
- Variable-Primary or Primary/Secondary Piping
- Lifetime Seal
- Concert Touch Screen Display
- Designed and Made in the U.S.A.
Apex Condensing Boiler:
- 95% Thermal Efficiency
- 425, 525, 625, 725, 825 Models
- Advanced Stainless Steel Heat Exchanger
- Lowest Water Pressure Drop in Class
- Minimized Electrical Consumption
- Stackable; Space Savings With No Need for Stand
- Concert Touch Screen Display
H2OMAX Heat Exchanger:
- The Leader in Performance, High Efficiency and Longevity
- 40% Savings vs Tank-Type Heaters
- Instantaneous and Continuous
- Versatile - Potable Water, Buffer Tank, Pool Heater, Sanitization or Glycol Zone
- 3X the Output of Stainless Steel Indirects
- No Anodes or Special Lining
- 10 Year Limited Warranty
Eco Propel Variable Speed Cognitive Pump Technology:
- How the Industry Missed True ROI
- Quick & Easy Setup
- No Complex Programming on Pumps
- Real Time Performance Monitoring
- Up to 89% Electrical Savings
- Up to 3% Fuel Savings (the BIG story and key to ROI)
Conductor Hydronic Sequencer:
- Harmonizing New and Existing Boilers - Up to 8 Units
- Boilers of All Shapes & Sizes
- Hot Water or Steam
- Small or Large
- Modulating or Not
- Condensing or Non-Condensing
- Energy Management System Single-Point of Contact
- Maximizes Energy Savings
- Minimizes Boilers Cycling to Prolong Longevity
- Auxiliary Equipment Control
Stop by our booth, C1136, and learn more about our expanding product line!
Eco Propel Cognitive Pump Technology
Thermal Solutions proudly announces Eco Propel, variable speed cognitive pump control for all Apex condensing models.
Pre-engineered and fully tested, Eco Propel integrates boiler firing rate with pump speeds improving boiler and system efficiency while reducing electrical consumption. Demand is calculated based on supply temperature, return temperature, and boiler firing rate determined from outdoor air sensor, header sensor, or set-point. A 0-10v signal is communicated to pump to harmonize this operation and ensure desired flow and constant delta T across all firing rates.
A single kit does it all. Simply “touch” and select boiler model, pump manufacturer, and desired delta T from Concert Boiler Control screen. No complex programming on pump and each optional kit is capable of 20 to 35 degree delta T. It doesn’t get any easier.
Typical on/off pumps are sized to provide full flow and run at constant maximum speeds despite most heating systems needing this capacity just 15% of the entire heating season. Eco Propel reduces pump speeds as much as 85% under single-speed pumps eliminating wasteful over-pumping and reducing electrical utility costs.
Benefits don’t stop with lower electric bills, boiler efficiencies also increase by maintaining the desired delta T across inlet and outlet temperatures throughout the boiler’s entire firing rate spectrum. Eco Propel actually lowers returning water temperatures inducing more condensate from flue gas and prolongs the conditions required for condensing to occur. Simply put, you will condense more with this control and better utilize the technology of these boilers regardless of system conditions. If you’re not using Eco Propel, you’re simply not optimizing your condensing boiler and overall system performance.
Read the attached study on total savings that can be achieved and the return on investment within 1 year (Eco Propel Payback)
Thermal Solutions Introduces H2OMAX, a Revolutionary Hot Water Heating Solution
The H2OMax is a commercial hot water heat exchanger that generates hot water instantaneously and continuously from one of many different heating sources for any application where hot water is used. H2OMax is simply unique, high performing, ultra-efficient and completely versatile, all in a compact design. Read more .. News - H2OMAX Intro