Lochinvar's heat exchangers and storage tanks are manufactured and tested to ASME standards. ASME requires that each assembled water heater or boiler be shipped with a factory installed relief valve(s) sized in accordance with ASME requirements. However, if a relief valve sized to AGA is required, it must be purchased and installed in the field.
Cold water is sent into the storage tank first (as opposed to the heater) for two reasons:(1) to prevent thermal shock to the heater, and (2) to prevent condensation on the heat exchanger. As the incoming cold water enters the tank it flows into a baffle where it mixes with hot water from the storage tank and warms up slightly before going into the heater to be heated
All Lochinvar finned copper tube water heaters and boilers are equipped with a terminal strip to provide easy access to the 24V control circuit at the correct location to install a remote control device. Typically a remote control device is attached across the R and W terminals on the terminal strip. Units with modular burner firing will provide additional terminals for remote control of the stages by an Energy Management System. A set of terminals labeled X and B are also provided to connect additional field installed safety controls.
Water contains dissolved minerals such as calcium-carbonate, magnesium, silica, iron and phosphates. When water is heated, it undergoes a chemical reaction that causes these dissolved minerals to precipitate out as solids. These solid minerals (specifically calcium and magnesium) are called lime-scale. Lime-scale is a poor conductor of heat. If lime-scale collects on a the heat transfer surfaces of a water heater's heat exchanger, it insulates the heat from the water. This means less heat is transferred into the water and more money is spent heating the lime-scale instead of the water. Lochinvar guarantees lime-scale free performance in all of its finned copper tube products when properly installed and operated.
All Lochinvar units are completely assembled, hydrostaticaly tested for leaks and 100% fire-tested before being shipped. Some of the larger package systems Lochinvar manufactures must be broken down into a separate heater/pump/piping assembly and tank for shipment. This is to accommodate height and space requirements for shipping. Field assembly is a matter of tightening bolts to position a tank and connecting two unions to reconnect the piping to the heater.
Yes, please see the Loch-Spec Sizing program, or call Lochinvar customer service at 615-889-8900.
Dissolved minerals in water are the major factor that reduces the service life of a heat exchanger. A boiler system is a closed-loop system, meaning the water that is used for space heating is used over and over again, with a minimal amount of make-up water being added to the system over time. In contrast, a water heater system brings in fresh cold ground water every time the water heater is used. Therefore, water heaters bring in more of these dissolved minerals which can precipitate out during the heating process and result in more wear and tear on a water heater. Additionally, water heaters operate year round, whereas boilers only operate 3 to 6 months a year.
90 GPM through the primary heat exchanger. The flow rates out of the water heater will vary depending on the position of the bypass valve. The integral pump in the Intelli-Fin acts as both the system pump for the water heater and as the bypass pump to pump water through the bypass when the valve is in any position other than fully closed. The flow rates can be established by measuring the DeltaT. See the Installation and Operation Manual for specific instructions.