New York — The recent AHR Expo held here at the Jacobs Javits Convention Center in late January had a plethora of hydronic and radiant heating boiler, pumps, PEX tubing, tools, solar collectors and accessories, so much so that we have to split our coverage of AHR products into this issue and the April issue. Boilers come first.
Buderus unveiled its GB312 Series gas condensing boiler featuring 93% efficiency. The series features six models with capacities from 300,000 to 1 million Btuh and a turndown ratio of roughly 3:1. Buderus also introduced its Logamatic 4000 Series modular control systems for floor-standing or wall-hung commercial boilers. The series of controllers provide several control options for single and multi-boiler systems. The manufacturer claims the series can control virtually any Buderus system, from an eight boiler cascade or up to three forced draft commercial boilers and burners.
Aerco presented the new Benchmark 1.5LN hot water condensing boiler with turndown from 1.5 million Btuh to 75,000 Btuh. The boiler can achieve more than 99% efficiency with 60°F return water while firing at mininmum input and measures less than 30 PPM of NOx at all firing rates. Aerco also showed its enhanced line of Modulex boilers. The units, with capacities from 300,000 to 1 million Btuh, now have a boiler communications module to improve communications and support integration with building automation systems.
Lochinvar showed an improved Power-Fin, including a standard internal cascading sequencer, the advanced Smart System control and a fully modulating burner with expanded 5:1 turndown. The Lochinvar Knight modulating condensing boiler is now available in new wall-mounted models, with the line comprised of seven floor standing models and five wall-mount units.
Lochinvar also showed a prototype of a commercial modulating condensing boiler with a touch screen control similar to the Apple iPhone. The touch screen part was real and functioning, but Lochinvar officials said plenty of competitors had been sniffing around the empty cabinet. The complete boiler should be introduced by the end of this year.
Heat Transfer Products debuted it ModCon Commercial Boiler, 94% efficient unit with a 5:1 turndown ratio, stainless heat exchanger, and built-in sequencing for up to eight boilers. The ModCon is available in three capacities of 300,000 Btuh input, 500,000 Btuh and 850,000 Btuh input. The units are stackable. The maker of the popular Munchkin Boiler also showed a solar water heater with integrated gad fired backup. The solar heat exchanger is at the bottom of the tank. If the sun doesn't cooperate, the burner fires up to 199,000 Btuh at 97% efficiency. The water heater direct vents. HTP also showed a solar water heater with electric element backup.
Weil McLain turned heads by introducing an HVAC line that includes 13 and 14 SEER air conditioners, 80% and 90% AFUE furnaces and hydronic air handlers. The hydronic stalwart also showed a rejuvenated Model 88 boiler with 85.6% thermal efficiency, water or steam and burning gas, oil or both. Inputs start at more than 1 million Btuh and top 5.8 million Btuh. The boilers can be controlled on/off, low/high/off, low/high/low, or full modulation. The firm also showed the HydroStat combination high limit/low water cutoff control that it's marketing as an exclusive in cooperation with Hydrolevel. The control is standard on the firm's WGO and WTGO residential oil boilers.
Taco showed an expansion of its “KS” Series of split-coupled vertical inline pumps. The larger KS 1016, KS 1213B and KS 1415 pumps now have improved performance and higher operating efficiencies with a capacity of up to 13,000 GPM and are available in both 50 and 60 Hertz.
Also new is an advanced “LTR” Series low water cutoff for residential hot water boilers. The control has a test button, which verifies that the control was installed and wired correctly, and two LED lights to indicate when the water level in the boiler is low and when the unit's probe needs cleaning.
Taco introduced an expansion of its 4900 Series air separators that now includes ¾-in., 1-in., 1¼-in. and 1½-in. sweat models.
Also on display was Taco's new GT series pump featuring a capacity of up to 17,000 GPM and 700 HP.
The company also showed its new “Plus Two” multi-purpose valve, which is a shut-off valve, a non-slam check valve, a balancing valve and a flow metering valve in one package.
Watts Radiant introduced a hydraulic separator, designed to decouple the primary loop flow from the secondary, impede particle and sediment movement through a system, and to act as a point of air removal. The separators come in sizes of 1-in., 1-1/4-in., 1-1/2-in., 2-in. and 2-1/2-in. The product is manufactured Watts Radiant's 140,000-sq.ft. facility in Springfield, Mo. The separator's compact size can provide the function of primary/secondary piping but at a fraction of the space.