Installing a commercial hot water system is rarely an easy task. Each business has its own distinct challenges: Setups and infrastructure are different. The amount of hot water a business needs varies. Commercial building rules must be closely followed. Oh, and if the installation is not performed properly, the system may not work or, worse Read more
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Installing a commercial hot water system is rarely an easy task. Each business has its own distinct challenges:
Setups and infrastructure are different. The amount of hot water a business needs varies. Commercial building rules must be closely followed. Oh, and if the installation is not performed properly, the system may not work or, worse, fail prematurely.
Now, add the pressure of a can’t-miss deadline, a looming inspection that has to be approved and television cameras recording every move of the installation.
Jason Wandrey and his team at Cal-West Construction never choose to work under these circumstances, but this was an unusual project. This renovation would be featured on SPIKE TV’s Bar Rescue.
For those who have never seen the docu-reality series “Bar Rescue,” here’s how it works: In each episode, host Jon Taffer, a nightlife consultant who has started and flipped more than 600 bars, revamps a struggling bar business.
In this episode, Taffer’s team embarked on making over The Tradewinds, a neighborhood establishment in charming, downtown Cotati, California, near Sonoma wine country. As part of The Tradewinds transformation, “Bar Rescue” sought to expand food service capabilities, which requires more food preparation space, more cleaning area and more hot water.
Wandrey, president of Santa Rosa, California-based Cal-West General Construction, Inc., agreed to perform the kitchen upgrades, which would have to be completed in a tight timeframe to match the show’s production schedule. The bar would close on Thursday and need to be ready for customers on Saturday evening.
With 120 minutes to go before a scheduled inspection with the health department, his contractors had completed installing new sinks and connected the existing water heater to the system. But they ran into a problem.
“The existing 50-gallon natural gas hot water system was functioning, but it couldn’t keep up with new demand, and we had none of the parts and pieces you need for a water heater installation,” Wandrey said. “The challenge was that the health inspector was coming in two hours, and we had to have their approval so the bar could reopen.”
Acting fast, the team specified a commercial water heater to support The Tradewind’s two three-pot sinks, one two-pot sink, a dish washer and bathroom sinks. Wandrey chose a commercial gas State Water Heaters ForceTM 90+, a light-duty power direct vent heater with 96 percent thermal efficiency and a rapid recovery rate.
During the accelerated but smooth installation, Cal-West easily upgraded the gas line from ½-inch to a ¾-inch supply line to feed the 100,000 BTU input into the tank. The water heater fit in the location, and there was no conflict with sizing the pipe.
The 50-gallon Force 90+ is designed to generate a constant flow of 4 gallons per minute, more than enough hot water for this bar. It’s an ideal option for small businesses looking to save space and reduce energy costs.
“They pulled a rabbit out of their hat at the last minute when they showed up with a new water heater,” Wandrey said. “It was an extreme circumstance, but our crew kept a clear head and pushed through to get it done.”
The water heater upgrade didn’t make the director’s cut, but it has made a difference for management and employees providing hot water for cleaning dishes, glassware and cutlery.
The food service program made possible by the Force 90+ has helped The Tradewinds increase the bar’s sales by 25 percent, according to Bar Rescue.
Eric Loria, one of The Tradewinds owners, told cameras: “I feel more like a proud owner than I’ve ever felt.”
Location:
The Tradewinds
Cotati, California
Products Used:
· State Water Heaters ForceTM 90+
· 50-gallon commercial gas light-duty power direct vent heater
· 96 percent thermal efficiency
ENERGY STAR® qualified
Helical internal heat exchanger for maximum heat transfer and energy savings
· Commercial-grade glass lining, protected by two anode rods
· Uniform Energy Factor of 0.88
· Rapid recovery rate of 129 gallons per hour (90°F temperature rise)
· 6-year limited warranty
· Meets Ultra-Low NOx emission requirements
Since its opening in March 2017, the Atlanta Braves SunTrust Park stadium has become the centerpiece of a state-of-the-art lifestyle district called The Battery Atlanta. Abounding in modern amenities, this mixed-use development includes restaurants, retail, theater and sports attractions, as well as residential living. The ballpark was designed so that all public restrooms were Read more
Since its opening in March 2017, the Atlanta Braves SunTrust Park stadium has become the centerpiece of a state-of-the-art lifestyle district called The Battery Atlanta. Abounding in modern amenities, this mixed-use development includes restaurants, retail, theater and sports attractions, as well as residential living.
To accommodate the higher foot traffic and heavier public use, facility managers at SunTrust Park chose the American Standard Brand fixtures and fittings for installation in all the ballpark’s bathrooms.
The ballpark was designed so that all public restrooms were centrally located throughout the facility to ensure easy, convenient access. To accommodate the increased attendance, the Braves organization wanted to provide a cleaner, more enjoyable restroom experience for ticket holders while efficiently managing operational costs. In specifying fixtures and fittings for all the stadium’s bathrooms and employee locker rooms, engineers looked for product designs and technologies that would operate effectively with heavy use while saving water and energy costs.
The WaterSense-certified Washbrook FloWise universal urinal and manual flush valve operate in combination to provide water efficient performance using only 0.125 gpf.
“SunTrust Park now accommodates traffic for 41,000 fans and our employees, so we needed public restroom fixtures designed to work flawlessly while holding up to the demands of public use,” said Mike Plant, president of development, Atlanta Braves. “We chose American Standard because their plumbing fixtures and faucets are stylish, and also meet the required commercial performance standards including sustainability, maximum hygiene and overall user comfort.”
Single-handle GROHE Concetto bathroom sink faucets showcase sleek, slim design lines, along with water efficient performance, in the club-level restrooms at SunTrust Park.
“Helping to provide a more comfortable experience for Braves’ fans, while saving money for their organization, was our objective with this project,” explains John Gillespie, vice president, marketing, LIXIL Americas, the business unit under which American Standard operates. “With our breadth of products, we were able to provide plumbing solutions throughout SunTrust Park, ranging from the general public restrooms to the elite club level facilities to the employee locker room.”
Saving Water and Money in Popular Gathering Spots
There are plenty of viewing options at SunTrust Park, providing a variety of game day experiences for baseball fans. The ballpark is designed with gathering spots—including the Xfinity Rooftop lounge, the Terrapin Taphouse brewery restaurant and the popular Chop House eatery and bar—for watching the game and socializing over good food and drinks.
With these social spots generating a lot of community buzz upon its opening, the ballpark had to properly accommodate the increased foot traffic to the public restrooms on this stadium level. The solution: installing fixtures and faucets that controlled water consumption while still providing optimum performance, especially during peak usage periods between innings.
Both the SunTrust Club and the Delta Sky360 Club provide a clean, comfortable experience for their club-level ticket holders, with the high-performance Afwall Millennium FloWise toilet and manual flush valve that consume only 1.28 gpf.
The men’s and women’s restrooms on the general public levels required an ADA-compliant metering faucet with easy push-on operation and an automatic 10-second water cycle limit. Project engineers selected the Pillar Tap faucet for its 0.5 gpm pressure-compensating, non-aerated spray and the ADA-compliant Lucerne wall-mounted sink, which features a “D” shaped bowl that prevents side splashing. Rounding out the public restroom fixtures are elongated wall-hung 1.28 gpf toilets that provide powerful flushing along with water conserving operation.
Investing in Club-Level Premium Comfort
On the club level, spectators seeking a higher level of comfort can watch the game outdoors in their luxury seats while enjoying all the amenities of an indoor, climate-controlled area.
The SunTrust Club — with a select 160 premium seats located directly behind home plate — provides the ballpark’s most exclusive seating environment with the best views of the field. Another choice hospitality venue in the ballpark is the 15,000-square foot Delta Sky360 Club, available to 1,500 members desiring prime seating between the two dugouts.
Located in the Atlanta Braves’ employee locker room, the FloWise 3-function water-saving showerhead employ a patented turbine technology that saves up to 40 percent on water usage while delivering a drenching shower experience.
Club level restrooms are graced with the dramatic high-arch design lines of the GROHE Concetto single-lever sink faucet, selected for its smooth, ceramic cartridge performance and adjustable hot-temperature rate limiter. The 1.2 gpm faucets are both WaterSense and CEC certified to meet the stadium’s stringent water conservation needs without sacrificing a high style experience.
Water-saving pillar tap metering faucets in the public restrooms help conserve water at SunTrust Park.
Finally, an on-site fitness facility is available to all Atlanta Braves’ staff. To provide employees a more comfortable and customized shower experience, a patented turbine technology delivers a drenching and rejuvenating three function spray while saving up to 40 percent of water. Plus, the showerhead automatically reverts to its lowest 1.5 gpm flow setting when the shower is turned off, so users have to actively switch to a higher consumption setting.
Fans are sure to appreciate the stadium’s championship-worthy restroom style and technology that allows for a classic ballpark feel, while reducing overall water consumption.
Tankless water heaters can provide a virtually constant, uniform hot water temperature on demand, unlike their traditional, storage tank-based counterparts. Consumers can typically save up to 40 percent in annual energy costs versus tank-type water heaters. To enjoy the full benefits of tankless water heaters, the system must receive routine maintenance, as it’s a key Read more
Tankless water heaters can provide a virtually constant, uniform hot water temperature on demand, unlike their traditional, storage tank-based counterparts. Consumers can typically save up to 40 percent in annual energy costs versus tank-type water heaters. To enjoy the full benefits of tankless water heaters, the system must receive routine maintenance, as it’s a key component for a long service life and high performance.
Maintenance Service Checks
By conducting proper recommended maintenance, tankless units are expected to last far longer than tank-type units. While a conventional water heater typically requires replacement every seven to 10 years, the tankless model could last up to 20 years with recommended annual maintenance. Before servicing any tankless water heater unit, always shut off the electrical power supply, manual gas valve and water valves. Annual maintenance includes inspecting the venting system, combustion chamber, burner, pressure relief, water filter and condensate trap. Maintenance also includes descaling the heat exchanger yearly and cleaning the fin coils of the heat exchanger bi-annually (every two years). Examine the water heater and its components for wear or fatigue and immediately repair all faults to avoid damage to the system.
Know the Water Quality
Water quality can have an impact on appliance longevity and may void the manufacturer’s warranty, as well. For water analysis data call your local water department, or if on a well, have well water analyzed periodically. If the tankless water heater is operating in applications where the outlet temperature exceeds 140°F, a water softening system is strongly recommended. The higher the set temperature is on the appliance, the greater the risk for scale/mineral deposits.
Minimize Scale Buildup
In areas where the water supply has a high mineral content, the heat exchanger should be flushed with a descaling solution. Scale buildup will shorten the life of the water heater and damage resulting from scale may not be covered under the manufacturer’s warranty. A water softener is required if the water hardness exceeds 6 grains/gal (180 mg/l) calcium carbonate. In the Bosch Greentherm 9000 series, the unit’s lifespan is aided by a primary copper heat exchanger and a secondary stainless steel heat exchanger to minimize scale buildup.
Winterize Your Unit
In addition to routine maintenance, tankless water heaters should also be winterized for seasonal use. If the unit must be installed in a location where it may be exposed to freezing temperatures, all the water needs to be drained from the heater. For full details on maintenance and winterizing tankless water heaters, always consult the manufacturer’s installation and maintenance instructions.
Like check-ups at the doctor and car inspections at the auto shop, routine maintenance on tankless water heaters helps address any repair issues early and ultimately extends the life of the unit.
Craig Porter, Bosch Thermotechnology
Gerber’s Avalanche Elite features a modernized contemporary design with a simple semi-concealed trapway. The trapway makes the toilet easier and quicker to install than many competitive skirted toilets, much like a standard two-piece toilet. For installation, there is no special hardware or bolt alignment required, no interference with the water supply/angle stop and the seat Read more
Gerber’s Avalanche Elite features a modernized contemporary design with a simple semi-concealed trapway. The trapway makes the toilet easier and quicker to install than many competitive skirted toilets, much like a standard two-piece toilet. For installation, there is no special hardware or bolt alignment required, no interference with the water supply/angle stop and the seat can easily be installed before or after the bowl is installed.
The flushing system has 50% more line carry than the national standard, ensuring no hidden clogs under the toilet or in the pipes. Comes with a Fluidmaster 400A fill valve for durable long-lasting anti-siphon operation and easy replacement. For more on the Avalanche Elite series visit Gerber Avalanche Elite.
The 2018 Uponor Convention was the site of the first official training session for an initial group of 100 professional plumbing installers who qualified to join the Uponor Pro Squad. More than 2,500 additional plumbers will participate in training in coming weeks via online and in-person sessions. The day-long training workshop, held Thursday, April 5 Read more
The 2018 Uponor Convention was the site of the first official training session for an initial group of 100 professional plumbing installers who qualified to join the Uponor Pro Squad. More than 2,500 additional plumbers will participate in training in coming weeks via online and in-person sessions. The day-long training workshop, held Thursday, April 5, at the Bellagio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, was designed to enable the group to promote, sell, install and service the new Phyn Plus smart water assistant + shutoff. The device made its simultaneous debut in January at the International Builders’ Show in Orlando, Fla., and the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.
“This training was an exciting and important milestone in the launch of Phyn Plus,” said Dena Mayne, vice president, Marketing & Customer Experience, Uponor North America. “Not only did it mark the official commercialization of the device in North America, but the session also enabled us to help this network of professionals advance the plumbing industry into the digital era by using data and insights to change the way consumers think about the water in their homes.”
The Pro Squad members who attended the two-day Convention represented national coverage of the 30 initial target markets across the U.S. and Toronto. These markets are urban areas that the company has identified as having the highest prevalence of leaks, water usage and aggressive water conditions. Targeted cities include New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas/Fort Worth, San Francisco, Washington D.C., Houston, Atlanta, Phoenix, Toronto, and Minneapolis, among others.
To date, more than 2,600 professional plumbers have joined the Pro Squad network since recruitment began in October 2017. For members who did not attend the Convention, Uponor will provide training online as well as in-person workshops hosted by company technical, sales and marketing subject-matter experts. Licensed plumbing professionals interested in joining the Uponor Pro Squad can apply via uponorprosquad.com.
One of the newest participants in the Uponor Pro Squad network is plumbing and HVAC contractor Rich Trethewey, the plumbing and heating expert on the national home-improvement show “This Old House” and its two popular spinoffs, “Ask This Old House” and “Inside This Old House.” Trethewey, who attended the training session in Las Vegas, will feature the Phyn Plus device on a This Old House episode scheduled to air in the fall.
“I am delighted to be a part of this Phyn Plus launch and really excited that this important technology will be delivered through the hands of plumbing professionals,” said Trethewey. “Water is the precious resource for life on our planet, and Phyn Plus can make a big difference to conserve it.”
The new Phyn Plus smart water assistant + shutoff is designed for the single-family residential market. The device is installed on a home’s main water line and automatically measures tiny changes in water pressure, 240 times per second. Its function is to: (1) identify and alert homeowners the moment a leak is detected via a smart phone app; (2) mitigate costly damage through an automatic shutoff; and (3) diagnose potential problems in plumbing systems before they become an issue.
Homeowners interested in obtaining a Phyn Plus device should visit www.phyn.com to find a local Pro Squad member. If there isn’t, yet, a Pro Squad member listed in their area, Uponor will work with the homeowner to find a local plumbing professional interested in joining.