Industry pro replaces home’s conventional HVAC system with combi-boiler/air handler technology
Problem: After nine years, Gail Johnson’s HVAC system had already required a couple of major repairs. As Noritz’s national sales manager, he knew that heat exchangers tend to crack and fail after a decade of regular usage. In addition, his humidifier failed a year and a half ago. When its motor burned out in the middle of the night, the house filled with smoke and the smell of something burning. This chain of events convinced Johnson that he needed to make a preemptive change in February 2021 before the situation worsened — from the standpoint of economics and health.
Solution: Johnson wanted to move away from another furnace. He chose the Noritz NRCB199-DV-NG Residential Condensing Gas Combination Boiler for space heating and domestic hot water. Not only would this combi-boiler provide all the heat his family required, but his DHW flow rates would also be the same as with the EZ111 — and at a much higher efficiency level, at 95% AFUE. He also used a high-velocity LV-Z-1750 air handler to distribute space heating throughout his home. It has an ECM motor that can be adjusted from three to five tons.
Result: With the new heating system, the combi-boiler water exchanges its heat with the air blowing across the built-in coil atop the air handler on its way to being distributed through the house. “I simply do not foresee simultaneous space heating and DHW ever being an issue,” Johnson says. 714-433-2905; www.noritz.com
Plumber employs quick-working descaling kit on tankless heaters
Problem: Tim Traylor, owner of T&T Plumbing and a successful plumbing-focused Instagram page, does everything from new construction and remodels to service and repair work. He actively promotes tankless water heaters to his clients because of their benefits. Additionally, Tim provides descaling services to differentiate himself from other plumbers, so he needed a solution to quickly accomplish this task.
Solution: Traylor is a loyal customer of the Hercules Haymaker, Oatey’s tankless water heater descaler kit. Offering everything needed to remove scale and maintain optimal performance of a tankless water heater, the solution quickly dissolves inorganic deposits that restrict flow while also restoring circulation and heat-transfer efficiency. The kit includes everything needed — solution, pump, hoses and a bucket. The solution quickly and easily dissolves inorganic deposits that restrict flow to restore circulation and heat transfer efficiency.
Result: “The Haymaker lives up to its expectations and cleans heat exchangers very well. In fact, compared with the product I had used previously, I could see a significant difference in the way Haymaker cleaned the heat exchanger,” Traylor says. “Depending on the water quality, a minute passes and the water begins changing color.” 800-321-9532; www.oatey.com
Plumber prevents corrosive runoff from damaging plumbing with acid-neutralizing condensate pump
Problem: George DeJesus is a licensed plumber and owner of George’s Drain in Morris County, New Jersey. For a recent job, the homeowner was doing various upgrades and looking to improve the hot-water circulation throughout the home. According to DeJesus, the homeowner had a 30-gallon gas water heater in the corner of the basement, which was not in a great location for proper ventilation. DeJesus talked through the options, and the homeowner decided on purchasing a new high-efficiency, condensing tankless water heater.
Solution: DeJesus installed a tankless water heater with a 95% efficiency rating and provided internal, hot-water recirculation in the home. The higher the water heater efficiency rating, the higher the acid level in the water runoff. This makes finding an effective, affordable way to neutralize the condensate before drainage absolutely critical. Since he had confidence in the quality and reliability of Saniflo products, DeJesus opted for the 2-in-1 Sanicondens Best Flat condensate pump. Condensate entering the unit automatically activates a float mechanism that, in turn, starts the motor whose spindle/shaft drives the impeller. The acidic condensate is neutralized as it encounters the neutralizer pellets in the unit’s tray before being pumped safely away.
Result: “There is definite time savings when you install this product, because it’s all right there,” DeJesus says. “It’s a one-step system.” DeJesus is confident that Sanicondens Best Flat was the right choice for his customer. “Honestly, when it comes to using a neutralizer, I don’t offer any other brand,” he says. He adds that the unit has been working fine since its installation in August 2021, and the homeowner is very happy with having enough hot water to supply the four-person household. 800-363-5874; www.saniflo.com
