A water heater is vital to commercial operations, from hotels and restaurants to schools. A properly installed water heater is essential for hygiene and efficiency in these businesses.
Please choose the right commercial water heater for your business by considering these factors when installing it. They include fuel type, tank capacity, flow rate, energy efficiency and cost.
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Tank Size
During commercial water heater installation Sterling VA, tank size is critical. This will help you determine how many gallons of hot water the system needs during peak hours.
This can be done by considering all of the hot water activities and appliances that are used at the peak operating hour (like showers) and adding them up. This will help you find your peak hour demand and a water heater with a first-hour rating within that range.
Once the maximum demand and suggested storage capacity have been identified, a design engineer can choose a tank and recovery rate that meets those needs and the building’s restrictions. A design engineer familiar with time-based evaluation can confidently recommend the right commercial water heater to the architect or building owner.
Fuel Source
Choosing the best industrial water heater begins with a clear image of how much hot water your company needs and when it requires it the most. Investing in a new system may be time if you’re running out of hot water faster than normal.
In the United States, electricity is the most often utilized energy source for water heaters. It can power traditional storage tanks, heat pumps, and tankless/instantaneous heaters. It can also power hybrid and combined water and air systems.
Gas-powered water heaters use a burner controlled by a thermostat to heat the water. They produce exhaust gases that must be vented. Ensure your water heater is installed in a location with a minimum of 5 feet of vertical clearance between the combustion air opening and any combustible piping or equipment.
Flow Rate
Commercial water heaters are designed to handle much higher volumes of hot water than residential devices. Nevertheless, even this heavy-duty equipment requires proper installation to ensure longevity and performance.
Flow rate is measured as the volume of fluid passing through a pipe in a certain amount of time. This is also known as the volumetric flow rate and can be influenced by many factors, including water velocity and pipe diameter.
A simple way to measure the flow rate is using a bucket and a garden hose. This method can show you how fast the water flows but needs to provide data about cumulative flow. This information is typically provided by a flow meter. This device is commonly used for metering and control in water and other liquid systems.
Energy Efficiency
With energy costs skyrocketing, concern for efficiency has become increasingly important. Efforts like LEED construction, home energy audits and solar panel systems are all meant to help reduce the amount of electricity and gas used by buildings and vehicles without cutting back on modern conveniences.
Commercial water heaters are no exception to this trend. Many of the different types available use varying amounts of natural gas and electricity to function, and some are much more efficient than others.
Tank-style water heaters, for example, require a large tank and heat the entire thing simultaneously. This is less efficient than a tankless type that heats water only when needed. Some types also have bulky designs or special space requirements that can make them a poor fit for certain buildings.
Cost
Purchasing and installing a new commercial water heater is a high upfront cost. However, you will continue to pay for energy consumption and repair costs, so the total cost is important to consider when budgeting.
Fuel type can also impact the cost of a commercial water heater. Gas or electricity are the most common options, but alternative power sources include solar energy and propane.
It’s important to correctly size the commercial water heater so that you have enough capacity. A water heater that is too small will be efficient, and one that is too large will save money by heating water it doesn’t need to. Contractors will use worksheets or computer programs to help determine the correct size water heater for a specific household.
