Central domestic packaged heat pump hot water (HPWH) systems can significantly reduce energy usage and provide a consistent and reliable source of hot water.
From the street, Bayview Tower in downtown Seattle looks like many other 1970s-era affordable housing apartments found across the U.S. This 13-story, 100-apartment property, run by the Seattle Housing Authority (SHA), provides an affordable senior-housing option to Seattle’s financially at-risk community. But, around the back of the building exists a domestic hot water (DHW) system, which is anything but 1970s.
I’ve covered pellet-fueled boiler applications in several past issues of PME. All of them have involved hydronic distribution systems. While such applications are certainly the prevailing way pellet boilers are used, they are not the only option. It’s possible to couple a pellet boiler to a forced air distribution system.
The first time I heard the terms “paruresis” and “parcopresis” was in the mid-1980s at a plumbing code hearing. In those days, there was no Google to look up the words. I listened to the chief plumbing inspector from a Midwestern state explain why this was an important issue in the plumbing profession.
With new and emerging water management standards, critical environments such as health care facilities must retool their systems and retrain their workers to provide better care quality and ensure patient safety throughout the built environment.
According to the experts, there is opportunity and demand in many segments of the boiler market with multi-family and single-family projects driving both the new construction and remodel segments.
The rapidly evolving software segment for the MEP industry continues to enhance engineers’ designs with more details and collaboration than ever before.
I’ve written several “Heating with Renewable Energy ”columns covering the benefits of combining modern hydronics technology with modern air-to-water heat pumps.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a document in March entitled, “Building Codes Strategy.” I finally received a copy in late April. I would encourage you to download the document and read what FEMA has to say.
A little water conservation can go a long way. And as the second-most visited space in commercial buildings — just behind the lobby — the restroom and its water-saving fixtures can help lead the way when it comes to cutting back consumption.