Webstone’s
Installation Diagram
Hundreds of products came across Senior Editor Mike Miazga’s desk this year, but the following 12 have earned special designation as the 2011pmeProducts of the Year. These products are ranked based on reader responses from the monthly print edition ofpmeand by subscriber activity inpme’s popular biweekly eNewsletter (to subscribe to the eNewsletter, visitwww.pmengineer.com).
New Installation Diagram
This guide to heating system success now includes more labor-saving products. The Webstone reference diagram depicts proper plumbing of systems and illustrates how to avoid nearly 160 leak paths and save nearly 24 hours off the installation of any complete hydronic installation. These designs focus on time- and space-saving concepts that simplify future maintenance and upkeep of all piping systems. Webstone. www.webstonevalves.com.
BRAE’s
Rainwater Harvesting Systems
Rainwater Harvesting Systems
BRAE, a Watts Water Technologies company, introduces configurable rainwater harvesting systems for commercial, institutional and residential applications that can reduce water consumption by up to 65%. BRAE’s commercial and institutional systems offer storage capacities of 200 to more than 2 million gallons and manage the filtration, storage, distribution and treatment functions typical to rainwater systems.BRAE. www.braewater.com.
Geothermal System
GeoStar’s Cypress Series energy-efficient geothermal comfort system provides forced-air heating and cooling, hydronic heating for radiant floors and a desuperheater hot-water assist option that provides free supplemental domestic hot water in one convenient package. The Cypress Series achieves high efficiencies by utilizing two-step Copeland Scroll UltraTech compressors and variable-speed fan blowers that consume less energy and provide improved comfort. The Energy Star-rated Cypress Series is available in 3- to 6-ton capacities.GeoStar. www.geostar-geo.com.
Macerating Plumbing System
The SANIACCESS 3 upflush macerating plumbing system from SFA Saniflo USA comes equipped with two easy-to-open panels atop the unit, providing ready access to the internal components for servicing. Through one opening, the electrical components as well as the level sensor mechanism of the pump are accessible. The second panel provides ready access to the basket area around the macerating blades. Intended for residential and light commercial applications, the SANIACCESS unit handles wastewater not only from a toilet, but from two additional fixtures such as a sink and a bathtub or shower.SFA Saniflo. www.saniflo.com.
Advanced Function Sensor Faucets
Sloan’s BASYS faucet platform features five modular, sensor-activated faucets for use in any commercial application. The faucets are built on a system of shared features and components, offering multiple power and sensor options, plus ease of maintenance. Component interchangeability simplifies orders, upgrades and repairs. Choose from active infrared or capacitance-sensing, three spray modules and four crowns ranging in functionality from embedded solar panels to LCD displays (showing water temperature and wash runtime). In addition to hardwired, battery- and solar-powered models, BASYS debuts a new turbine power-harvesting technology.Sloan Valve. www.sloanvalve.com/basys.
Radiant Floor Underlayment
An underlayment for radiant floor heat, Therma-Floor acts as the thermal mass by transferring heat from the system’s hydronic tubing or electric cables to the living space. Therma-Floor turns floors into radiators, delivering heating comfort and efficiency to any home or commercial building. Therma-Floor is a green building material containing recycled content.Therma-Floor. www.maxxon.com.
Double-Wall Heat Exchanger
Bell & Gossett’s BPXTM BPDW double-wall brazed-plate heat exchangers are ideal for hydronic heating applications such as radiant, snow melt, domestic hot water and pool heating. They also can be used as refrigerant condensers and evaporators, as oil coolers and many other applications.Bell & Gossett. www.completewatersystems.com.
Drainback Solar System
The Solar Usage Now SUN Equinox is an unpressurized and direct drainback solar system based on a storage tank concept fundamentally different from usual systems. The system is virtually maintenance-free and fail-safe, and uses free power from the sun for water heating, effectively supporting the heating system. The system is ideal for residential and commercial applications.Solar Usage Now. www.solarusagenow.com.
Hydronic Balancing Device
Victaulic’s TA-Scope is a wireless handheld device that verifies, measures and maintains complex hydronic systems quickly and efficiently, contributing to lower energy costs with added accuracy and ease in the hydronic balancing process.Victualic. www.victaulic.com.
Water Hammer Arrester Valves
Dahl’s water hammer arrester valves control water hammer created by fixtures with quick-closing valves, such as washing machines, dishwashers, ice machines, single-lever and touchless faucets and even toilets - for both retrofits and new installs. Available in more than 50 different models to suit most end-of-line pipe types and sizes, the valves’ compact, integral design allows them to install upright, horizontally or at any angle between. Dahl uses an ASSE1010 AA arrester with a dual O-ring piston that maintains a permanent cushion of air to absorb pressure spikes, setting it apart from conventional standpipes, air risers or air chambers that become waterlogged.Dahl. www.dahlvalve.com.
Energy-Efficient Heating Circulator
Bell & Gossett’s energy-efficient heating circulator uses unique technology to achieve significant energy savings while delivering hot water throughout commercial properties. Featuring electronically commutated motor technology and a patented spherical motor design, the ecocirc auto and vario pumps eliminate the need for a conventional shaft, seal and bearing assembly.Bell & Gossett. www.completewatersystems.com.
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