Stop Unwanted Heat w/ Flow-Checks

Flow-Check valves prevent unwanted heat in closed-loop hydronic heating systems. In a single zone system, hot water can flow from the boiler at low rates even when there is no call for heat. If nothing stops the water’s path, the heated space may become unnecessarily warm. The same situation can arise in systems with multiple zones that are zoned by circulators rather than zone valves. Unchecked, heat can be thermosiphoned around the loop or into zones that are not calling for heat.

A flow-check valve installed close to the circulator(s) solves this problem. It’s a simple mechanical device that completely blocks flow in one direction and prevents flow in both directions when system pumps are not powered. Visit SupplyHouse.com for flow-check valves from Taco and Bell & Gossett.

Boiler Output Ratings

The amount of heat a boiler can produce is measured in British Thermal Units (BTUs). All boilers have a BTU input rating (the rate at which the burner consumes fuel) and a BTU output rating. Output BTUs heat the living space, while some input BTUs may be wasted (through venting, etc.). The closer the input and output ratings are to one another, the more efficient the boiler is.

Boiler manufacturers provide two separate output ratings: the DOE and the net I-B-R. DOE ratings assume that the boiler and its piping occupy a heated area. The heat lost through them, therefore, heats the space and helps offset the heating load. The I-B-R net output rating places the boiler in a unheated space, such as an unfinished basement. It assumes heat lost from the boiler and boiler piping is wasted. I-B-R ratings will always be lower than DOE ratings. Depending on the location of a boiler, either method may be more relevant when sizing and installing a boiler.

Heating & DHW in One Unit

Any boiler can heat domestic water if it is connected to an indirect water heater. Heated water from the boiler flows through a coil that ensures water from the heating system does not mix with potable water from the plumbing system.

The Triangle Tube Prestige Excellence performs both operations in a single unit. The Prestige Excellence is a high-efficiency boiler with output ratings around 80,000 BTU. Inside the wall-mounted unit, a 14-gallon indirect heater can produce close to 200 gallons of hot water per hour under normal conditions. It will save space and improve efficiency in any system powered by natural gas or propane.

QMark Portable Electric Heater

Whether you have an electric heating system already or you just want an extra source of heat for frigid days, QMark’s LFP Portable Electric Hydronic Heater could be useful for you. Nearly 5 feet long, the 120 volt unit can provide over 5,000 BTUs worth of heat. These durable units, which resemble traditional baseboards, feature a handle to allow easy movement between rooms. They are perfect for bathrooms and other small spaces. SupplyHouse.com offers a full range of heating supplies and QMark products.

Check Crimps w/ a Go-No-Go Gauge

A go-no-go gauge checks crimp fittings to ensure that they will not leak. The go-no-go gauge featured on SupplyHouse.com works with copper crimp rings ranging from 3/8” to 1”. Using a go-no-go gauge is easy. Just place the gauge on the ring. If the gauge does not fit around the ring or if it allows the ring to reach the bottom of its slot, the crimp was made improperly. Rings from successful crimp fittings should fit securely in the center of the gauge. Check out our Resource Center for more helpful tips and an instructional video on PEX crimping.

Home Run Systems for PEX Plumbing

In a PEX plumbing home run system, the line for each fixture comes directly from central hot and cold manifolds. The Viega MANABLOC combines the hot and cold manifolds into one unit. It is available at SupplyHouse.com with various distribution port combinations and either compression, crimp, or PEX press connections at the ports.

With home run distribution lines there is no need for any fittings between the manifold and the fixtures. Centrally located valves on the manifold can shut off water at any fixture. Hot and cold water arrives at faucets faster, and pressure is more stable when multiple fixtures run.

Rehau PEX Tubing

Rehau’s RauPEX oxygen barrier PEX tubing is now available on SupplyHouse.com. Designed for use in closed heating systems, Rehau’s PEX-A tubing is easy to work with. Over 40 years ago, Rehau became the first company to introduce PEX-A tubing. Their legacy of high-quality products continues today. Visit our radiant heat section for 1/2”, 5/8”, and 3/4” RauPEX.

Energy Factor for Water Heaters

Energy Factor ratings allow homeowners and contractors to compare the efficiencies of different water heaters. A water heater that uses 62% of the energy it consumes has a .62 Energy Factor (EF). Standard gas-powered water heaters require an EF of at least .67 in order to have the chance to achieve Energy Star status. .82 is the minimum EF a tank-style gas or oil water heater must have in order to qualify for a U.S. tax credit in 2011.

EF ratings are not available for tank-style water heaters with BTU inputs over 75,000 BTUs (200,000 BTUs on tankless units). See the water heater section on SupplyHouse.com for units from A.O. Smith, Bradford White, and Takagi.

1 Ton = 12,000 BTUs

The British Thermal Unit (BTU) is the basis for sizing most heating and cooling sources. For heating, a certain number of BTUs will be necessary to heat a space to the desired indoor temperature based on outdoor conditions and the heat loss of the structure. In cooling systems, heat (measured in BTUs) must be removed from the space.

Equipment in cooling systems often lists BTUs in terms of tons. The translation is simple: 1 ton = 12,000 BTUs. A 3.5 ton air handler, for example, removes 42,000 BTUs of heat. For more heating and air conditioning products, visit SupplyHouse.com.

PEX-Pal Tubing Collector

Axiom’s PEX-Pal makes in-floor radiant heat installations easier and more organized. The heavy-duty tubing collector mounts to decking, rebar, ready-rod, and wooden forms. Positioned under the manifold, the PEX-Pal separates supply and return lines and does not allow PEX tubing that is 3/4” and smaller to bend beyond its minimum bend radius. The PEX-Pal also protects tubing at the point it penetrates concrete slabs. Shielding PEX in this area guards it against the effects of linear expansion. For more radiant heat products, visit SupplyHouse.com.

Downsides of Oversized Boilers

Oversizing a boiler or any other heat source is an all-too-common mistake. The logic behind it makes sense: after all, you will never get too cold if your heat source is more powerful than it needs to be. Plus, using rule-of-thumb methods saves the time needed to complete a full heat-loss assessment and get a BTU-load requirement. Simply basing the size of new equipment on the ratings of existing equipment may not give accurate figures either. The previous heat source may have been improperly sized, and changes may have been made to the structure since its installation.

Unfortunately there are some negative consequences that can result from selecting a heat source that is too large. For one, more powerful boilers cost more money. They will be louder and less efficient than properly-sized equipment. Fuel bills will be unnecessarily high, breakdowns will be more likely, and wide temperature swings could result from too much heat being created. Installing a boiler that is the right size for your particular home lets you avoid these problems. The comfort, efficiency, and cost-savings are well worth the extra effort.

Use the BTU Calculator at SupplyHouse.com to get an initial BTU load estimate.

Destroy Problem-Causing Roots

Hercules' R-D Root Destroyer, available in 2 lb. or 50 lb. containers, stops roots from interfering with septic lines. Safe for trees, the compound is useful as a preventative measure or an emergency solution to keep sewer lines free of roots. Using Root Destroyer is easy: just pour it into a toilet or sewer line as directed. See SupplyHouse.com for more plumbing products from Hercules.

Weil-McLain GV90+ Boilers

The new Weil-McLain GV90+ gas boiler offers state-of-the-art operation and efficiency. This cast-iron, Energy Star rated boiler vents with PVC and includes an easy-to-use propane conversion kit. The four different GV90+ models accommodate several venting options. With efficiency ratings over 90%, the GV90+ qualifies for many utility company rebates and lowers gas bills. These efficiency ratings, along with sections made from recycled metals, make the GV90+ very environmentally-friendly. Visit SupplyHouse.com for more boilers and Weil-McLain products.

Backup Sump Pump

Standard sump pumps clear basements of water that accumulates during rain storms, but they can often fail during the worst types of storms – those that cause power outages. For situations like these, Zoeller offers 12-volt, battery-powered backup pumps. Model 507, Zoeller’s most popular backup sump pump, includes the backup pump along with the float switch, necessary fittings, and a battery charger. Also useful in the event of primary pump failure, a Zoeller backup sump pump from SupplyHouse.com will give peace of mind during the next power outage.

What is a BTU?

If you have ever installed a heating system or even just picked out a boiler or air conditioner, you should be familiar with the term BTU. BTU stands for British Thermal Unit. One BTU equals roughly the amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of a pound of water 1°F, equivalent to about 252 calories, 778 foot-pounds, or .3 of a watt-hour.

The number of BTUs needed to heat a space depends on several factors. In addition to square footage, climate and insulation quality play a major role. Use the BTU Calculator at SupplyHouse.com to get a good idea of how many BTUs you need to heat your home.

RIDGID Toilet Augers

Toilet augers clear blocked toilets when standard plungers cannot. 6-foot long K-6 and 3-foot long K-3 toilet augers from RIDGID reach deep into toilets to remove severe obstructions. They are available in bulb head or drop head models. Bulb heads are the standard model. Drop heads swivel to make tighter bends, making them easier to work with. Visit SupplyHouse.com for more RIDGID products and plumbing supplies.

What are Grease Traps?

Grease traps prevent waste grease from entering municipal water systems. They save tax dollars and help the environment. Many localities require grease traps to be installed at restaurants and food service facilities – the places with the largest concentrations of waste grease. Grease traps keep drainage pipes in buildings clear and make water filtration more efficient. Generally installed in-line and underground, they store grease, oil, and fat while allowing remaining wastewater to flow into the sewer system.

Grease trap operation is very simple. The same basic design has been in use for over a century. Their purely mechanical function requires no power source. The fats and oils washed off restaurant equipment are less dense than water. Grease traps give wastewater enough time and space to allow grease to float to the top of the solution. This process filters out over 80% of grease from the mixture. SupplyHouse.com offers grease traps from Zurn and Canplas.

How to Size Pool Heat Exchangers

A heat exchanger for a swimming pool allows heat from the heat source (a boiler, etc.) to be transferred to the water in the pool. Since home heating is not typically necessary during swimming season, the heat source can be fully dedicated to warming the pool water.

Finding a properly-sized heat exchanger for a pool if not too difficult. Just find the capacity of the pool (length x width x depth x 7.5 for rectangular pools; diameter x diameter x depth x 5.9 for circular pools). Use the average depths for pools that do not have the same depth all the way around. Then, based on the pool’s capacity, consult the heat exchanger manufacturer’s literature to find the heat exchanger you need. The heat source involved in the application must be large enough to handle both the swimming pool’s heat load and the heat-loss to the surrounding area. Larger heat exchangers and heat sources are required when aiming for a 2°F (rather than 1°F) hourly heat-up rate. A 2°F/hour rate is recommended when the pool is only used periodically (weekends, holidays, etc). Visit SupplyHouse.com for swimming pool heat exchangers from FlatPlate and Triangle Tube.

Thermostats - Buy In Boxes & Save

Our thermostats are now available in boxes quantities at special box prices. Stock up and save on popular models as heating season rolls in. Honeywell, White Rodgers, Robertshaw, Lux and other top brands are all available at www.pexsupply.com.

Boiler Reset Controls - The Taco PC700

There are several Outdoor Boiler Reset Controls available at PexSupply.com. The Taco PC700 is designed specifically to work in a system with a Taco EXP zone valve or switching relay. This control makes your boiler more energy efficient, for both your heating and domestic hot water systems, by communicating with your boiler to take the outdoor temperature into account.

Air Ventilators: ERV vs. HRV

Air ventilators improve indoor air quality, maximizing clean and healthy air while minimizing contaminants and moisture. There are two types of in-line ventilators: Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs) and Heat Recovery Ventilators (HRVs). Both contain a supply and exhaust motor in one unit, bringing in fresh air from outside and pulling stale air from the living space. The unit’s recovery core ensures incoming air is not too cold during the winter or too warm in the summer.

The core in an ERV unit transfers heat and moisture to outgoing air, making ERVs perfect for the warm and dry Southeastern United States. They clean air and reduce the load on air conditioners.

HRVs are recommended in all cold climates, in addition to warm areas that are dry. They bring in an amount of air equal to that which they exhaust, transferring heat from warmer to colder air. HRVs also use defrost protection that allows year-round operation. Visit PexSupply.com to browse Fantech and Honeywell ventilators.