New technologies (Dan H.)

John Ruhnke

I agree...........

Josh,

I tell my clients that the diferrence between hydronics and hot air is the same as the difference between hydronics and plumbing or between plumbing and hot air.

Today you really need a hydronics specialist.

JR

To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"

Josh_10

I worked for Proctor Sales for several years. I know for a fact they are doing everything in their power. I have to revert back to wholesalers conforming to the majority not the exception. Or should I say exceptional..

Josh_10

My point exactly. However we are getting way too many tin knockin companys and turn hurdin wranglers that are claiming to be capable of hydronics because they went to a one day seminar.

S Ebels

I'm puzzled

Outdoor reset functions beautifully as a base operating temperature for the boiler, keeping it in the most efficient operating range possible while still providing enough "drive" for the load. Whose did you have bad results with? I'm assuming that you had bad luck with OD rest anyhow, judging from the somewhat caustic reply.

On/off control of any kind is something I try to avoid wherever possible on a hydronic system. Charging a floor or radiator and then cycling it off is not conducive to efficiency or comfort. Indoor feedback is best done by using a room temp sensor which can modify the basic heating curve or by a proportional device like a TRV.

You are of course, free to disagree as this is just my opinion and how I choose to operate and control the systems I put in.

Glen

this could be a long list -

vitodens anything - but the IBC boiler deserves serious consideration too. Tekmar - nuf said. variable speed pumps - most are so well built - its a bargain. Education by all manufacturers - not just product knowledge but real life stuff too. That would include DanH, siggy, RB - all the folks at heatlink, wirsbo, etc. It's not just the technology - but what can be done with it. The Wall - where imagination is expected and fostered.

john Cockerill_2

Supplier responsibility

If a customer has a question,I get to the bottom of it . They rely on me for that. The product comes in working order. That's the promise. If you buy a car they take you for the tour. You don't have to look at the book. It's in the glove compartment. If I want to know how to check the oil, it's in the book or the salesman will tell, me. He will show me what I don't know, like the on star or the gps.

The customer is always right means he knows nothing and expects to be spoon fed. That's how he supplier works for his profit. If the supplier chain is just stocking the shelf, and asking you what you want, I can get that on the internet with the help of UPS. That's why UPS stock is $81.00/share.

Manufactureres should have some competition for the middlemen. If the supply house is not worth the stop, you should be able to go direct. That will give the middleman a little incentive to get a little sharper at the switch.

john Cockerill_2

See them disconnected all the time.

Compare before you judge. It's the ability to learn and compare that makes the difference in the new century. We all have mind sets. being able to recognize and advance when we observe one is the key to the improvement of boiler heating efficiency.

Josh_10

My old Journeyman used to say "You can't keep it if you don't give it away". I run my business on that philosophy.

I got asked an interesting question a few weeks back at a factory furnasty training seminar. The contracor asked me "what would you suggest for a contractor wanting to get into hydronics?". I replied "Dedicate your life to hydronics or hire someone who has".

I like good competition. You know the kind that installs good solid hydronics. The more the good word spreads the more opportunity I have to bid hydronics.

However if you talk to the local propane salesman he will tell you that he always puts in a larger propane tank when ever he sees radiant floor heating. Know why? Because of less qualified contractors who run high temps with no reset and a hot water heater as a heat source.

Joe Mattiello_2

Taco distributes products through a two level distribution network, with stocking representatives strategically located throughout the country. They have a responsibility to have a certain level of inventory to satisfy demand for their geographical area. The wholesalers and retailers feed off of the factory representatives that should service their needs with product, and technical support. Additionally, Taco has 5 technical support engineers to support all taco representatives, technicians, and end users. If the field technician has a rapport with the wholesaler, and the wholesaler has gauged his product demand, so he can better service him by maintaining an inventory so the technician doesn’t have to keep a redundant inventory, and tie up his money. If technicians are having a difficult time getting their hands on product, that should be communicated to the wholesaler and the wholesaler should facilitate their request.

Joe Mattiello
Technical Support Technician
Tel. 401-942-8000 X 484
Fax. 401-942-2360
1160 Cranston St
Cranston, RI 02920
joemat@taco-hvac.com

Ted_5

German new technology

I just got back from Germany, I was looking at a new prouduct to be used with condensing boilers. Look at the pictures and you can see what I mean. The manufacture claims up tp 5% efficiency gain for a 2 temp. system. The valve is a mixing valve but also acts as a distridutor of flows and temperatures to ensure minimal flow and temp back to the boiler. It also saves space and labor. Soon to be avaliable in North America!

Ted

Ted_5

Solar cooling?

I went to China a few weeks ago to look a product that can do solar cooling. It is an absorption chiller using parabolic solar panels to get very high water temps. Those panels can produce up to 356F. With that kind of temp they can get up to 1.4 COP. That is pretty good. When I was there they had a guy there from the California Electric utility company looking at there product to help ease CA grid load. The size range is from 4.5 ton to 6,600 ton. Maybe we will see that soon.

Ted