Page 2 - Triangle Tube

Wall Mounted Boilers Help Protect Against Flood Damage

Monday, September 12, 2011 by Gerry Clisham

The recent floods in the Northeast and Midwest have created quite a bit of havoc so far this year. We can only hope that the worst is past and that those affected will be able to quickly make repairs and move ahead with their lives.

Unfortunately a flooded basement will require the replacement of a boiler if the flood waters are able to enter the boiler enclosure. This brings into focus another advantage of the Prestige Challenger and Prestige Wall Hung Condensing Boilers. We have heard many accounts from homeowners where, although they had flood water in their basement, the water had not reached the boiler.

The Prestige Condensing Boilers and the Challenger Combination Boilers are designed to be wall mounted.   This brings key components to eye level, which enables the boilers to be serviced and checked more easily. The Prestige and Challenger are highly efficiency boilers with AFUEs of 96% and 95% respectively. They are available in natural gas or propane, and are a green choice with low NOx emissions.

The Challenger Combination Boiler can provide up to 3 GPM of hot water, while the Prestige Excellence can provide up to 180 GPH from its internal storage tank.  The Prestige Solo models can be combined with a Smart Indirect Water Heater to provide plentiful hot water.

If you are replacing a flood damaged boiler or adding a new boiler, consider the advantages of the wall mounted Prestige or Challenger boilers from Triangle Tube. They could save you time and trouble in the future.

Condensing Boiler Ventilation - More Options than Ever !

Thursday, August 25, 2011 by Gerry Clisham

In another post (click here) I described the combustion process for high efficiency boilers like Triangle Tube's Prestige and Challenger condensing boilers. One of the key things to consider when installing a high efficiency boiler is the ventilation. The ventilation is much different than a traditional atmospheric boiler. The good news is that there are now more options than ever.

Traditional boilers burn an open flame that uses room air for the combustion process. Heat then draws the flue gases naturally out a chimney or flue pipe. Dampers are used to minimize the flow of outside air back into the house through the flue. This process, while simple, is inefficient as it sends previously heated room air that is used in the combustion process up the flue. In addition outside air frequently makes its way back through the flue damper into the room.

High efficiency boilers use a sealed combustion process. Air is pushed into the burner by a fan. This air is usually piped from the outside directly to the boiler to minimize drafts. Room air can often be used, but in most cases, especially residential, this is not optimum as the room air has been heated so the energy that was used to heat the air was wasted.

Once the propane or natural gas fuel has been burned and the gas has passed through the heat exchanger, it is critical that this flue gas is properly sent outside. Traditional boilers would use a chimney in most cases to carry the flue gas outside. The natural convection of the hot flue gases would rise naturally up the chimney. Because high efficiency boilers use a fan to drive the gases, and because their flue gases are not as hot as a traditional boiler (resulting in low NOx emissions), a chimney cannot be used directly as the flue-way. It can be used as the chase that holds a flue pipe. The Prestige is approved to be vented through a chimney using a flexible polypropylene flue-way. This allows the flue-way to be installed around bends in a chimney making it much easier to use the chimney as a chase.

If an existing chimney cannot be used the Prestige and Challenger can both be vented vertically through a roof or horizontally through a wall. There are many options for the terminations of the venting that will allow it to both function properly and look attractive. Engineered terminations can help prevent flue gas recirculation, which can destroy a boiler. It is important that the location of the venting be considered. It must be located far enough from doorways and windows so that the flue gas cannot enter the house. Triangle Tube's boilers are supplied with guides that outline the options.

Condensing Boiler Combustion Basics

Wednesday, August 17, 2011 by Gerry Clisham

Today's condensing boilers are much different than their predecessors. Condensing boilers feature efficiencies over 90% with Triangle Tube's Prestige and Challenger boilers reaching AFUEs of 96% and 95% respectively. Much of these efficiency gains come from much

better control of the combustion process.

High efficiency boilers use a sealed combustion process where a fan brings air and fuel (natural gas or propane) into the burner. In most cases this air is brought into the boiler from the outside. This avoids the creation of a negative pressure zone in the house and also avoids sending heated air out the flue pipe. A gas valve senses the air pressure from the fan and allows a precisely metered amount of gas into the burner.

The fan speed will determine how much gas is consumed and how much heat is produced. The boiler's control will determine how fast the fan should go based on the heating load. When the heating load is low, the fan will slow down, drawing less gas, and producing less heat. This provides two benefits. First, the combustion process is more efficient when it is burning at "low fire" than it is at "high fire". So the more time the boiler operates at lower firing rates the more fuel efficient it is. Second, this minimizes the cycling of the boiler from "on" to "off". Cycling both reduces the fuel efficiency and increases the wear on the hydronic heating system.

The gas-air mixture is burned on a burner head. The Prestige burner head is shown here. The flame is controlled on the burner head to maximize the efficiency, which minimizes emissions. These burner heads are highly engineered to hold the flame properly throughout the range of firing rates. The flame is lit by the ignitor, which is the orange rod shown in the picture. Unlike the standing pilots used in boilers in the past, today's high efficiency boilers use electronic ignition, eliminating the waste from burning the standing pilot.

This process is much more precise than the traditional atmospheric burners in older boilers. Triangle Tube has designed boiler combustion processes to maximize the efficiency of their boilers. As technology evolves, tomorrow's boilers will continue improve their efficiency.

Prestige Excellence Produces Heat and Hot Water for Philly Green Home

Tuesday, August 9, 2011 by Gerry Clisham

When Anthony Miles dreams, he dreams big. Anthony was already a successful speaker and entrepreneur when he went to work on his next passion; driving a new, exciting, and green revitalization to Philadelphia's Francisville residential neighborhood.

Anthony and his team have been working for the last two years to bring this vision to reality at the Philly Green Home project. Last week the ground was broken and foundation walls have been poured. By September the first of 23 new green homes will be completed.

Anthony has teamed up with leading companies in the green technology arena. He and his team have selected the Excellence Combination Boiler to provide both heat and hot water for these homes. On the hydronic heating side, the Excellence will efficiently heat the radiant floors with an AFUE of 96%. The radiant wood floors will maximize the energy efficiency of the condensing, modulating boiler.

In domestic water mode, the Excellence will draw pre-heated water from a solar storage tank, and ensure that it reaches the 130 degrees for sanitary use. A mixing valve will ensure that the water reaching the faucets is not so hot as to scald the user.

The Excellence will use clean burning natural gas and burns clean enough to meet stringent SCAQMD Low NOx emissions standards.   The Excellence is a combination boiler and water heater in a compact package, so it is both energy and space efficient.

Triangle Tube is proud to have been selected as the Official Boiler of the Philly Green Home project. To find out more about this exciting project please click here.

Solar Indirect Water Heater is a Green Choice

Friday, July 29, 2011 by Gerry Clisham

There are rapid advances in the use of the sun's energy that are making it attractive to a growing number of homeowners. While solar power has been available for decades (even the White House had panels in the 1970's), the activity in this market is reaching a fever pitch. These advances are reducing the costs of installation, which is driving new business, driving new investment, further reducing the costs. That is the power of progress.

One of the best paybacks today in the solar market is solar thermal - using the sun to heat a home's hot water - and even help with some space heating. The concept is actually very simple. Circulate water or glycol through rooftop tubes that heat the water and then transfer that heat to domestic water. Of course it is more complicated than it sounds and there are a lot of ways to get this done. But the bottom line is that these relatively simple and compact systems can offset much of the energy used to heat the hot water in a home. And this is significant because hot water heating makes up 25% of household energy costs.

Triangle Tube offers a solar hot water solution for homes with hydronic heating. The Smart Multi-Energy (SME) Indirect Water Heater is designed to integrate solar energy into the complete hydronic system. The SME contains a heat transfer coil that transfers the heat from the solar panels to the hydronic system water that surrounds a domestic water tank. This large volume of water (both hydronic system and domestic) is able to maximize the heat energy from the solar panels.

When the solar panels are not able to meet the demand, the hydronic system provides heat from a boiler. Triangle Tube's Prestige and Challenger natural gas or propane boilers are green choices as their AFUE's are 96% and 95% respectively. They feature low NOx emissions and modulating controls using outdoor reset to minimize their carbon footprint.

The four keys to Boiler Replacement

Monday, July 25, 2011 by Gerry Clisham

There are four keys to successfully replacing your boiler. By following these keys, you will ensure a fast trouble-free installation and much lower utility bills.

1) Selecting the right product - Craftsmen will tell you that building a fine piece of furniture starts with selecting the right wood. The same is true in boiler replacement. By selecting a reliable, highly efficient boiler, you will ensure that the project will be a success if the three other keys are followed. Choosing a poorly designed product will ensure long term dissatisfaction, even if the other keys are correct. Triangle Tube's Prestige and Challenger boilers are industry leaders in reliability and efficiency. For more information on this, see the end of this post.

2) Select the right contractor - Once again, a good contractor will make or break the project. There is much more involved in replacing a boiler than simply removing the old boiler and inserting a new one. The boiler must be sized and the piping layout reviewed to ensure that the heating system works in harmony. A good contractor will have experience and proper training to know how to join all of the parts of the heating system into an efficient, effective, heating machine. Click here to find certified Triangle Tube contractors in your area.

3) Size the boiler properly - A lot has changed in your home since the last boiler was installed. Perhaps you have new windows and/or doors. Perhaps radiant floor heating was installed. An addition may have been added, the attic has been insulated. A proper heat loss analysis must be performed to select the proper boiler for the house. An boiler that is too large will cause excessive cycling and drive up energy costs. One that is too small will not keep the house warm on the coldest days.

4) Use outdoor reset - One of the biggest efficiency gains in new boilers is the ability to use computer technology to adjust the hydronic system to the heating load. As the weather gets warmer, less heat is required. By lowering the system temperature, the house is able to be heated much more efficiently. Please make sure this important feature is being used. For more information on outdoor reset, click here.

Challenger Boiler Triangle Tube's Prestige and Challenger boilers are modern, highly efficient, natural gas or propane boilers that have excellent track records in reliability. With AFUEs of 95% or higher, and low NOx emissions, these are responsible, green choices for both the environment and your budget. When paired with a Smart Indirect Fired Water Heater, they form the right solution for your residential heat and hot water needs.

Is it time to replace your old boiler?

Thursday, July 21, 2011 by Gerry Clisham

One of the common questions we all face is when to replace major appliances; whether it is our refrigerator, washing machine, or even our car. The boiler certainly fits into that category. The boiler works throughout the year providing heat and hot water and goes unnoticed much of the time - until a bill for either fuel or repairs arrives. So when is the right time to replace your boiler?

The answer depends on many factors. Here are some to consider.
1) Fuel: In many areas of the country, and especially in the North East, heating oil is still used in many boilers. This made sense when oil was abundant and inexpensive and natural gas was not common and relatively expensive. Today the exact opposite is true. Heating Oil is now over $3.50 per gallon in most of the US while natural gas is around $1.25 per therm.
At these rates, even if the efficiency of the new boiler is no better than the old, you

will save 50% in your energy costs by switching to natural gas. So, if you have access to natural gas, and you currently heat with oil, this is a big motivator to invest in a new boiler.

2) Age: How old is the existing boiler? As boilers get older, the chance of a major repair is more likely. If your boiler is more than 20 years old, it is time to at least consider a replacement. Even if the boiler can last another 20 years, the increased efficiency and reliability will make it worth the investment.

3) Efficiency: Modern condensing boilers like Triangle Tube's Prestige and Challenger models provide significant efficiency advantages over older models. The rating plate on the boiler will provide an initial estimate. Simply take the output divided by the input to find the theoretical efficiency. The difference between this and 96% for the Prestige and 95% for the Challenger is the theoretical difference in fuel costs. But modern boilers have features like modulation and outdoor reset that add 5 to 10% more to this efficiency gain. Click here to learn more about this.

4) Water Heating - If you are currently using a separate water heater, or a tankless coil in the old boiler, installing a Smart Indirect Water Heater will provide additional energy savings. With a standby cost of only $0.05 per day, it is the most efficient way to heat your hot water.

5) Finances - While the new boiler will surely reduce your energy bills, do you want to make the investment at this time? This is a personal choice for each homeowner. Rebates and other incentives may sway the decision, but it is important that the overall numbers work for the homeowner.

When you consider all of the factors, find a Triangle Tube contractor to provide a quote for your home. Investing in Triangle Tube's boilers and indirect water heaters is a sound decision.

Indirect Water Heater - See how it's made !

Thursday, July 7, 2011 by Gerry Clisham

How It's Made has been a very successful show on TV for good reason. How many of us haven't wondered how things we use every day are made? Today's manufacturing techniques make our standard of living possible by allowing products to be manufactured reliably and cost effectively.

Nowhere is this more evident than at Triangle Tube's Indirect Water Heater factory. How do

we get a stainless steel inner tank inside the steel outer tank? Using stamping presses, robots, and laser welding these tanks are created from steel and stainless steel sheets and tube, assembled, and then insulated to provide the highest level of energy efficiency.

Now you can go inside Triangle Tube's factory without bording a plane. Click HERE to begin your tour. You will see the Artisanship and Automation that creates the Smart Indirect Water Heater. Smart Indirect Water Heaters feature a unique tank-in-tank design that virtually eliminates limescale buildup - which ruins most other water heaters. Smart Indirect Water Heaters can be paired with a new or existing boiler, regardless of the make of the boiler.

Of course we recommend that you consider using a Triangle Tube Prestige Condensing Boiler for optimum performance. The Prestige is extremely energy efficient, with an AFUE of 96%, and uses advanced control technology to match your heating needs to the heating system to maximize your energy savings.

To learn more about the Smart Indirect Water Heater, click HERE to see more blog posts describing its benefits, or HERE to go to our website for more information.

Natural Gas Condensing Boilers - The Green Solution

Monday, June 20, 2011 by Gerry Clisham

One of the positive changes in recent times has been the increased awareness of our impact on the environment. It was not long ago that "Green" was not a part of our everyday terminology - and who ever heard of a carbon footprint. Today a significant and ever-growing portion of society considers the environmental impact of their decisions on a regular basis.

Another recent positive change has been the increased use of natural gas. Not only is it readily available in North America, but it is also a very clean burning fuel.  These two features make it very attractive for many consumers. Finally, the technological advancement of hydronic (boiler) heating solutions has resulted in condensing boilers that can operate at the highest levels of efficiency.

Triangle Tube helped drive the residential condensing boiler revolution with the Prestige Condensing Boiler. Its unique stainless steel fire tube design, high efficiency (96% AFUE), and reliability have made it a leader in its market. When combined with a Smart Indirect Water Heater, homeowners will have an extremely efficient heating and hot water system.

Triangle Tube recently added the Challenger Combination Boiler to its lineup. This boiler combines a high efficiency (95% AFUE) boiler with an instantaneous water heater within the same unit. The results is an appliance that provides heat and hot water from the smallest foot print imaginable. The Challenger is perfect for closet installations or areas where space is at a premium.

Triangle Tube's Prestige and Challenger boilers work with both natural gas and propane.  Choose one of them for your "Green" efforts.

Condensing boilers and URA Softball - What do they have in common?

Thursday, May 12, 2011 by Gerry Clisham

The URA rookie softball teams were battling each other on a beautiful spring evening in Chester County, PA. The Monarchs and the Mystics were on the field and the temperature at game time was 70 degrees. As the sun went down the temps fell into the low 60's (despite the hot bats on both sides).

As parents put on jackets I noticed several parents leaning up against the dug-out. Just walking within a foot or so of the dug-out wall there was a noticable jump in temperature. The dark green wall had spent the day absorbing the heat from the sun. Now that the cooler air was settling in, the wall was radiating its heat to those nearby.

I was able to use this to explain the benefits of radiant heating to the team. The warmth from the wall made the air nearby warmer, but also radiated its heat to the people leaning against it. The heat felt better than just warm air. It had a "substance" behind it. I am sure you have had a similar experience - so you can imagine the feeling that attracted the crowd. Now imagine if you could have that same feeling beneath your feet all winter long.

Radiant Tubing Installation in New Construction

You can have this feeling with a radiant floor heating system. Radiant floor heating is truly invisible and can be installed under new or existing wood, tile, or carpeted floors. It can even be installed in new concrete slabs. There are other types of residential radiant heat as well. Whether it comes from a traditional cast iron radiator or baseboard or the newest residential radiant floor systems, the heat it provides can't be beat. It is more efficient, more comfortable, and virtually silent.

Triangle Tube provides high efficiency boilers designed to maximize the efficiency of radiant heating systems. The Prestige Condensing Boiler, the Prestige Excellence, and the Challenger Combination Boiler all use clean natural gas or propane with AFUE's of 95% or higher. These green boilers have low NOx emissions and use the latest hydronic controls such as outdoor reset.

Contact Triangle Tube for more information or use the Contractor Locator to find an installer in your area.

Replacing your boiler or water heater? Summer is the best time to install a high efficiency boiler and water heater.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011 by Gerry Clisham

With the weather finally turning nicer and summer just around the corner it is tempting to put the memories of high heating bills and an old boiler away with the winter coats. But now is the best time to work on replacing your old boiler and water heater.

1) Installing a new boiler in the summer allows the installer to do the work without turning off the heat in your house. Both you and the installer will be happy about that !

2) Heating oil has reached record levels and shows no sign of a significant change. Many people are "planning ahead" by locking in relatively low rates over the summer months. If you can switch to natural gas you can lock in the low rates permanently.

3) Natural gas at $1.25 per therm is less than half the cost of heating oil at $3.70 per gallon. If you can switch from oil to natural gas you will cut your heating bills in half - before you even consider the higher efficiency of today's boilers.

4) By acting now you will be able to have contractors focus on delivering the best hydronic heating system design for your needs. Without the rush of emergency repairs, contractors have the time and desire to focus on your installation.

5) By doing your research now you will be able to select the best products for your home. You may consider installing radiant floor heating to replace a furnace or baseboard. Radiant floor heating can be installed in many existing homes without replacing the existing wood, tile, or carpeted floors. Working over the summer time gives you the time to make an educated decision and gives the contractor the time to get the job done before the first

frost.

As you are doing your research, be sure to consider selecting products that best fit your needs. Triangle Tube offers two lines of natural gas or propane high efficiency condensing boilers.

Triangle Tube's Prestige Condensing Boiler is a feature-rich boiler with a stainless steel fire-tube heat exchanger. This heat exchanger has a high water content which maximizes efficiency by minimizing short cycling and pump electrical demand. This boiler has become the high efficiency boiler leader due to its reliable performance and high efficiency with an AFUE of 96%.

The Prestige Excellence contains an integrated indirect water heater that allows it to not only meet your space heating demands, but also produce 180 gallons per hour of domestic hot water. If you prefer a separate domestic hot water heater, the Smart Indirect Water

Heater, with a unique tank-in-tank design provides hot water with minimal standby losses and comes with a lifetime residential warranty.

Triangle Tube's Challenger Combination Boiler features a unique copper heat exchanger that provides both space heating and domestic hot water. The Challenger is highly efficient in domestic hot water mode and has a 95% AFUE in space heating mode.

Contact Triangle Tube or use the Contractor Locator to learn more.

High Efficiency Boiler Trio - Challenger and Prestige and Prestige Excellence expand options for Homeowners & Installers

Monday, May 2, 2011 by Gerry Clisham

Triangle Tube is proud to announce the availability of the new Challenger Combination Boiler. This boiler joins the industry leading Prestige boiler and the Prestige Excellence to provide a powerful lineup to meet residential and commercial hydronic heating and hot water needs.

The Challenger features a unique copper and aluminum heat exchanger that heats both the space heating system water and the domestic hot water within the one heat exchanger. The copper waterways are overmolded with aluminum to provide an efficient heat exchanger, eliminating hot spots and maximizing the condensing efficiency. The Challenger is the only Combination Boiler that is certified as both a boiler and a heat exchanger. In addition the Challenger is unique because it condenses in both space heating and domestic hot water modes. The Challenger is available w

Prestige High Efficiency Condensing Boiler

ith inputs of 84, 106, and 124 MBH.

Triangle Tube's industry leading Prestige condensing boiler features a stainless steel fire tube heat exchanger that provides an industry-low pressure drop. This minimizes pump electric consumption and allows the Prestige to be used in reverse-return installations. The Prestige is available with inputs from 60 to 399 MBH. The Prestige 110 MBH size is pre-piped for use with an indirect fired water heater such as Triangle Tube's Smart models.

Prestige Excellence Boiler & Water Heater

The Prestige Excellence is a truly unique boiler and water heater combination. Unlike a Combi boiler such as the Challenger that will provide domestic hot water on demand, the Prestige Excellence includes an integrated tank-in-tank water heater with 14 gallons of stored domestic hot water. This provides the instant hot water response that homeowners have come to expect from a typical hot water storage tank, along with the compact size and energy efficiency of a combi boiler or instantaneous water heater.

The Challenger, Prestige, and Prestige Excellence are efficiency leaders with AFUEs of 95% and above. All models use natural gas or propane and feature green emissions that meet California's SCAQMD requirements for Low NOx emissions. All models use modern controls, outdoor reset, and modulation to maximize efficiency.

Triangle Tube's Challenger, Prestige, and Prestige Excellence boilers provide a wide selection of solutions to today's needs for high efficiency boilers.

Water Heater Comparisons: Indirect Water Heaters and Instantaneous Water Heaters

Thursday, April 28, 2011 by Gerry Clisham

In the previous post (click here for this post) we discussed the characteristics of traditional gas and electric of water heaters. These are the most common types of water heaters, however they are also the least efficient model. These also have the shortest expected lifespan. In this post we will discuss Instantaneous Water Heaters and Indirect Water Heaters.

Instantaneous Water Heaters
Instantaneous Water Heaters are a relatively new product in the market. These water heaters heat domestic hot water only on demand, eliminating the storage tank and stored water volume. Eliminating the storage tank also eliminates the standby heat loss from the stored water. This energy efficiency has created interest as the energy costs have risen over the last few years. While most people measure traditional water heaters by their storage volume (somewhat incorrectly), instantaneous water heaters are measured by their maximum flow rates. These flow rates are important as they will determine how much water can be used at one time. Instantaneous water heaters are promoted by saying that you will never run out of hot water, which is meant to deal with the fact that traditional water heaters, with their slow recovery rates, will run out of hot water. Instantaneous water heaters will continue to produce hot water as long as requested, but you can get cold water from the shower if you use too much at one time. Instantaneous water heaters have an estimated life of 15 to 20 years - however regular maintenance is required. Scale will accumulate on the heat exchanger that must be removed periodically.

Indirect Water Heaters

Indirect Water Heaters are a perfect option for homes with existing boilers. Because they utilize the boiler as their heat source, they have the simplest configuration. Boiler system water is used to heat the domestic water. Most indirect water heaters pump the boiler system water through a coil in the domestic hot water storage tank. The heat is then transferred from the coil to the domestic water. The Smart Indirect Water Heater uses a unique tank-in-tank design that surrounds the entire domestic water tank with hot boiler system water. This results in a very high heat transfer rate and therefore a very fast recovery rate. Therefore a 40 gallon Smart water heater will supply more hot water than a 40 gallon traditional gas water heater. In fact the recovery rate of the Smart is twice as fast as a traditional gas water heater and four times as fast as an electric water heater.

When combined with a high efficiency boiler such as Triangle Tube's Prestige Solo boiler, indirect water heaters are very energy efficient. They do not have the flue or chimney that is in a traditional gas boiler therefore their standby losses can be minimized Triangle Tube's Smart Indirect Water Heater is surrounded by 2 inches of expanded foam, and minimizes the heat loss to 1/2 degree F per hour. This translate to a cost of $0.05 per day to maintain 40 gallons at temperature with natural gas.

Coil-in-tank indirect water heaters will accumulate scale on the hot coils in the tank. As this scale accumulates the efficiency of the tank decreases and the recovery rate gets longer. The Smart Indirect Water Heater surrounds the domestic tank with hot boiler water, minimizing scale formation. As fresh cold domestic water enters the tank, the inner tank is designed to expand and contract, dislodging any scale. Therefore the tank will retain its high efficiency throughout its life. And speaking of life, the Smart Indirect Water Heater comes with a limited Lifetime Warranty for residential installations. So the Smart Indirect Water Heater will be the last water heater you ever buy.

Conclusion
Indirect Water Heaters are among the most efficient ways to produce domestic hot water. It is important when considering any water heater that you look not only at the storage tank volume, but more importantly in how much water the tank can deliver. Due to the unique tank-in-tank design, the Smart Indirect Water Heater is among the most reliable, most efficient, and most desirable water heaters you can select.

Water Heater Comparisons are about more than Gallons of Storage

Thursday, April 21, 2011 by Gerry Clisham

When deciding on household appliances, one of the most important, yet least considered is the water heater. Hot water is important not only for showers and baths, but also for clothes washers, dish washers, and just warm water at the sink. We all want hot water on demand and now there are many ways to get it. The key is to determine the best and most efficient water heater that will fit your needs.

Traditional electric water heaters feature electric elements that heat the water. These are simple to install and have a low purchase price. Unfortunately in most of the country, where electric rates are $0.15 or higher per kilowatt-hour, they have one of the highest operating costs. Electric water heaters also have the lowest recovery rates. Recovery rates are the amount of time it takes to bring water up to the desired storage temperature. To compensate for these low recovery rates, electric water heaters need to store more water. Therefore most homes require at least 40 gallons of stored water to meet their demands. Minerals in water will gather at the hottest points in a water heater. Therefore electric water heater elements, which provide the heat to the water, get coated with these minerals over time

. This causes 3 problems. First, it reduces the efficiency of the elements since the minerals act like an insulator, preventing the heat from transferring to the water. Second, since they are preventing heat transfer, the mineral deposits lengthen the recovery time. Therefore, over time the recovery rate will decrease. Third, when the elements can't transfer their heat to the water, they become hotter. This increased heat acts to destroy the elements and eventually they will burn out and need to be replaced.

Traditional gas water heaters use natural gas or propane to heat water. The water heaters operate much like a pot of water on a stove. These water heaters have a chimney, or flue that takes the burned gases to the outside. As the gas travels up the flue it continues to heat the water. Unfortunately this flue also creates a lot of heat loss since it is uninsulated. As a result traditional gas water heaters have the highest standby heat losses. The high temperatures of the burning fuel provides a recovery rate that is twice as high as an electric water heater. As a result, a traditional gas water heater requires less stored water to meet hot water demands. The minerals in the gas water heater will collect at the bottom of the heater near the combustion. Over time this lowers the recovery rate and decreases the efficiency of the unit. Eventually these deposits can cause leaks and the failure of the water heater.

In the next post we will discuss instantaneous water heaters and indirect water heaters. There are two types of indirect water heaters. Coil-in-tank varieties, and the unique stainless steel Tank-in-Tank variety known as the Smart water heater from Triangle Tube. Indirect water heaters work with boilers in home with radiant heating.

Challenger Combination Boiler's Copper Heat Exchanger Pulls Double Duty

Wednesday, April 13, 2011 by Gerry Clisham

The new Challenger Combination Boiler features a unique copper heat exchanger that is as simple as it is efficient. With a 96% AFUE rating in space heating mode, the Challenger is an efficiency leader. But the Challenger's unique heat exchanger is extremely efficient in domestic water heating mode as well.

The Challenger's heat exchanger features two copper waterways that heat both the space heating and domestic water. Nearly all other combination boilers heat domestic water in a seperate, secondary heat exchanger. This results in additional components and reduced efficiency.

What is a Condensing Boiler and Why is it Efficient?
The Challenger is a Condensing Boiler, which means that it condenses the moisture in the flue gases from combustion. When it condenses this moisture, it pulls more heat from the flue gas into the heat exchanger. We all have seen how a glass of cold water condenses the moisture from humid air. The cold water absorbs heat from the air to allow the moisture to condense?

In the opposite mode, we have all seen how heating a pot of water will cause some of the water to evaporate into steam. If you think about this process, you can add heat to water to bring it to the point of evaporation. But if you stopped adding heat at this point the water would not evaporate. But if you add heat, the water will use this heat to make steam. This heat is called latent heat. When a condensing boiler condenses, it is removing this latent heat from the steam.

Challenger gains Condensing Efficiency in Hot Water Mode

When the Challenger heats the domestic hot water that is used in showers, laundry, dishwahers, and sinks throughout the house it is working at peak efficiency. The cold water entering the boiler gives the heat exchanger the opportunity to maximimize the latent heat it can extract from the flue gas.

Other combination boilers are not able to gain this latent heat as they do not run the cold domestic water into the primary heat exchanger. They run boiler system water to a secondary heat exchanger to heat the domestic hot water. This boiler system water does not return to the primary heat exchanger at a low enough temperature to condense. Therefore other boilers are not able to gain the efficiency of the Challenger.

For more information on the Challenger Combination Boiler from Triangle Tube, please visit www.triangletube.com or contact a Triangle Tube representative today.

Outdoor Reset Maximizes Spring Energy Savings

Friday, April 8, 2011 by Gerry Clisham

2010 was another record year for high efficiency boiler sales. If you have made this investment, now is the time to make sure that it is operating at peak efficiency. One of the key features of hgh efficiency boilers is the Outdoor Reset feature.

Outdoor reset simply matches the boiler system temperature with the outdoor temperature. In a boiler system, the hotter the water supplied by the boiler, the more heat that the radiant heaters can supply to the home. However, boiler system efficiency decreases as the water supply temperature increases. Therefore, to maximize the system efficiency, you want the boiler to supply water at the lowest possible temperature.

Outdoor reset allows the boiler to maintain a lower supply temperature as the outdoor

temperature increases. This increases the boiler's efficiency while still maintaining the warmth in the home.

Modern high efficiency boilers, such as Triangle Tube's Prestige or Challenger boilers use outdoor reset to maximize their efficiency. These boilers are supplied with an outdoor temperature sensor that can be easily installed on an exterior wall. This sensor is then connected to the boiler controller. The boiler is then programmed to vary the boiler supply temperature with the outside temperature.

Spring is the season where outdoor reset really pays off. As the temperature outside rises, you can rest assured that your Prestige or Challenger boiler is running more efficiently than ever.

Heating Oil Price jump makes High Efficiency Boilers even more attractive

Thursday, March 31, 2011 by Gerry Clisham

2011 has started out as a good year for heating oil prices - if you have your own well ! But

if you are relying on it for heat and hot water, you may have another opinion. The attached chart from the US Energy Information Administration documents the 50% increase in heating oil futures in 2011. While you may have locked in your oil rates for the heating season, now is the time to consider your alternatives for your heating system this fall.

There are many advantages to the natural gas boilers and indirect water heaters from Triangle Tube. Because natural gas burns cleaner than fuel oil, it is not only good for the environment with its low NOx emissions, but it also greatly reduces the ongoing service costs. And homegrown natural gas is abundant in North America, giving it much better price stability.

Triangle Tube's Prestige and Challenger condensing boilers achieve AFUE ratings of 95% or greater, putting them at the top of the market. The boilers use modulation to further improve their efficiency compared to older boilers (click here to read more about modulation). This is especially helpful in the spring and fall (the majority of the heating season) as it allows the boiler to run longer at lower firing rates, increasing efficiency.

The SMART indirect water heaters team up with the Prestige to provide plentiful hot water at a maximum efficiency. The unique stainless steel tank-in-tank design quickly heats the water while the 2 inch foam insulation reduces standby heat loss to a nickle a day. Instantaneous water heaters can't match the lifetime warranty on the Smart water heaters, making them the Smart choice for your home and wallet.

Prepare for the fall heating season now. Eliminate the volatility of the heating oil market with a new natural gas boiler. Contact Triangle Tube today for more information.

Green Boiler and Water Heater cuts Pennsylvania Church fuel bills

Friday, March 25, 2011 by Gerry Clisham

F.W. Behler Installs Triangle Tube Boilers and Controls

Dave Yates of F.W. Behler is a contractor that is determined to provide his customers with the highest efficiency and most reliable hydronic heating solutions. His latest project at St. Paul's Church in Dallastown, Pa is a terrific example of how the latest energy efficient products can both improve the comfort level in the church while minimizing its natural gas and electricity costs.

Prestige Boilers and Smart Indirect Water Heaters in St. Paul's Church

Dave chose to use two Triangle Tube Prestige Condensing, Modulating, stainless steel boilers to handle the heating requirements. He selected Triangle Tube's Smart Indirect Fired Water Heaters to work with the Prestige boilers for the hot water needs. Both of the Prestige and the Smart have a minimal pressure drop, which equates to a minimal pump power consumption, another area of energy savings. The low pressure drop through the Prestige boiler also eliminated the need for a primary circulator, which adds further to the electrical energy savings.

Triangle Tube Optima Control Programming

The parishioners were also pleased with the low maintenance, stainless steel heat exchanger in the Prestige. This minimizes the annual cost of the hydronic heating system. By combining the Prestige with new flat panel radiators maximizes the condensing efficiency of the system and provides comfortable radiant warmth.

Triangle Tube was proud to be part of this project. The complete article can be found on Green Mechanical Contractor's website, or directly at http://www.greenmechanicalcontractor-digital.com/greenmechanicalcontractor/spring2011?fm=2#pg1.

Challenger Combination Boiler Features Copper Waterway Heat Exchanger

Saturday, March 19, 2011 by Gerry Clisham

The Challenger Combination Boiler has been designed for a long and reliable life of hydronic heating and domestic hot water production. The unique heat exchanger features copper waterways surrounded by an aluminum heat transfer block.

The copper waterways ensure reliable performace. The waterways are suitable for use with glycol, making it a perfect choice for second homes. The copper and aluminum work together for high efficiency with an AFUE of 96%. The condensing, modulating heat exchanger has been designed to work with both natural gas and propane.

The domestic hot water coil integrated into the primary heat exchanger is also made from copper. This unique system eliminates a three way valve and seperate heat exchanger normally found in combination boilers. This results in a simpler, more reliable product.

The Challenger Combination Boiler is an excellent choice to providing residential radiant heat and hot water in one, compact appliance. Contact Triangle Tube for more information.

Efficient Pool & Spa Heating from your Existing Boiler

Thursday, March 10, 2011 by Gerry Clisham

How soon do you want to jump into your pool? Spring is around the corner, so it's not too early to think about opening up and e

njoying the pool. It's possible to do that weeks earlier without breaking the budget on a new pool heater or the energy costs that go with it.

By using your existing boiler, the installation costs can be minimized. And if your boiler is a high efficiency condensing boiler like Triangle Tube's Prestige or Challenger boilers, your fuel bills can be minimized as well.

Triangle Tube's Maxi-Flo pool and spa heat exchangers were custom designed for pool and spa heating by residential boilers. Their high flow designs minimize pressure drop through the heat exchanger to keep the water flowing with minimal pump load. They have been designed to maximize heat transfer by encouraging turbulent water flow.

Maxi-Flo Pool and Spa Heat Exchangers are available in stainless steel and titanium for long life. The titanium models are built specifically for use in salt water pools and spas. They are available in several sizes to handle any size pool. By working with a natural gas or propane boiler like the Prestige or Challenger, they can be sure to heat your pool much quicker than heat pump pool heaters.

Why not Maximize the use of your backyard pool by investing in a Maxi-Flo pool heater? You will be glad you did every spring and fall for years to come. Contact Triangle Tube for more information.

Triangle Tube