If you have experience installing gas appliances, you have installed a sediment trap. It’s an assembly that many plumbers have fabricated hundreds of times in the field, lauded for its simple design that protects expensive gas appliances like water heaters and boilers. It is even required by code in the United States and many other Read more
HVAC
If you have experience installing gas appliances, you have installed a sediment trap. It’s an assembly that many plumbers have fabricated hundreds of times in the field, lauded for its simple design that protects expensive gas appliances like water heaters and boilers. It is even required by code in the United States and many other places across the world. So, why is it so important?
All gas appliances rely on a supply line to receive fuel from a building’s main utility source. This line, however, exposes the appliance to certain vulnerabilities. Debris such as dirt, metal, or other foreign matter can accumulate in this line during installations and repairs. If these loose particles enter the appliance, they can cause serious damage including malfunctions or even fires. Because of this, every gas appliance installation is required by code to ensure protection from sediment.
Plumbers have protected against gas sediment for years using the simple law of gravity and a clever assembly of fittings. With the understanding that debris will naturally settle at the lowest point in the piping line, a strategically placed tee with an elongated, capped branch is installed between the supply and the appliance to form a trap. The flow travels downstream from the gas supply, entering the tee through the top and continuing through the side branch at a 90° angle to the appliance. This sharp change in direction causes the loose particles to separate from the flow and drop into the capped nipple.
This trap assembly is widely accepted as the solution to guarding against gas sediment, but it has room for improvement. Assembling individual components not only takes time and introduces leak paths to the system, but it also aesthetically leaves much to be desired. Most importantly, the design is only functional if installed correctly, by a plumber who understands the significance of the 90° directional change. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon to see sediment traps assembled with an improper tee orientation, resulting in ineffective horizontal flow path that allows particles to bypass the trap and enter the unit.
Enter the Gas Sediment Trap from Webstone®, a brand of NIBCO®. It’s the industry’s first integral trap solution – a forged brass tee with an elongated capped branch that meets the 3” length that’s required by code. Created as an all-in-one installation kit, it includes a CSA-certified full port gas ball valve, with the choice of an optional flex line. It’s available in ½” or ¾” connections, making it ideal for a wide array of applications including high BTU appliances.
Choosing the Gas Sediment Trap has several advantages over field fabrication. Its attractive forged brass design results in cleaner, consistent quality professional installations that eliminate the possibility of an ineffective flow path. It saves time, replaces several components, and eliminates multiple leak paths. Kit models provide everything needed to complete the job, including a versatile flex hose that connects to the appliance or the supply line. For more information and other products that help you work smarter, visit webstonevalves.com.
Elkhart, Ind. — NIBCO INC. announced that its Board of Directors appointed Ashley Martin as executive vice president effective immediately. Reporting to Steve Malm, president and CEO, Martin continues in her role as corporate officer and Executive Leadership Team member; and serves as member of the Board of Directors, a position she has held since Read more
Elkhart, Ind. — NIBCO INC. announced that its Board of Directors appointed Ashley Martin as executive vice president effective immediately. Reporting to Steve Malm, president and CEO, Martin continues in her role as corporate officer and Executive Leadership Team member; and serves as member of the Board of Directors, a position she has held since 2018. She is responsible for maximizing the company’s operating performance and achieving its financial goals.
“Ashley’s business acumen, industry connections and experience have prepared her well,” said Steve Malm in announcing Martin’s appointment. “Her innate leadership qualities and strategic vision will successfully propel NIBCO forward into its fifth generation.”
Since joining NIBCO in 2012, Martin has held a variety of positions including senior vice president, sales; vice president of wholesale sales; general manager of PEX; and director of distribution and transportation.
Martin co-founded the American Supply Association Women in Industry group in 2013. She served a two-year term as chairperson, beginning in 2016.
Martin received her bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, Ind. She holds a master’s degree in business administration with a concentration in strategy and operations management from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.
Revamped and rebranded Nexia™ platform aims to streamline smart comfort experiences and complement Smart Thermostat offerings American Standard launches American Standard Home, a smart home integration platform that offers advanced HVAC system control and diagnostic features. Formerly Nexia™, the new integrated app will continue to give homeowners a secure, convenient method to manage their indoor comfort through a connected experience, while HVAC professionals can ensure their HVAC systems are optimized for performance. American Read more
Revamped and rebranded Nexia™ platform aims to streamline smart comfort experiences and complement Smart Thermostat offerings
American Standard launches American Standard Home, a smart home integration platform that offers advanced HVAC system control and diagnostic features. Formerly Nexia™, the new integrated app will continue to give homeowners a secure, convenient method to manage their indoor comfort through a connected experience, while HVAC professionals can ensure their HVAC systems are optimized for performance.
American Standard Home integrates with several smart home platforms, including major voice control platforms, Google Home and Amazon Alexa, and is compatible with hundreds of Z-Wave devices. The most common use is connecting an American Standard smart thermostat to remotely update your temperature, apply a schedule, and automate your home comfort experience.
“As we look at the time we’ve spent indoors over the last several months, we know how important it is for our HVAC systems to create comfortable living spaces, while providing the convenience homeowners crave,” shares Mel Fox, Senior Product Manager Trane Technologies. “Innovative, user-friendly and practical, American Standard Home provides a seamless integrated experience for our connected homeowners.”
With homeowner consent, American Standard Home’s sister platform, American Standard Diagnostics, provides HVAC dealers with real-time alerts, remote access to update a homeowner’s system, and historical data to help extend the life of the HVAC system, resulting in a reliable homeowner experience. The American Standard Diagnostics platform prevents minor maintenance issues from turning into major repairs.
The American Standard Home app will be available for download from any smart phone, tablet, or computer through the App Store and Google Play. Download the application from your device or reach out to your American Standard dealer to learn more.
AF 099 features same UL-Listed performance as flagship AF 100 HVAC tape Shurtape Technologies, LLC, a leading manufacturer and marketer of pressure-sensitive tapes, has expanded its HVAC product portfolio with new Shurtape® brand AF 099 UL 181A-P/B-FX Listed/Printed Aluminum Foil Tape. Leveraging the same technology as the brand’s trusted AF 100 UL 181A-P/B-FX Listed Foil Read more
AF 099 features same UL-Listed performance as flagship AF 100 HVAC tape
Shurtape Technologies, LLC, a leading manufacturer and marketer of pressure-sensitive tapes, has expanded its HVAC product portfolio with new Shurtape® brand AF 099 UL 181A-P/B-FX Listed/Printed Aluminum Foil Tape. Leveraging the same technology as the brand’s trusted AF 100 UL 181A-P/B-FX Listed Foil Tape, AF 099 provides another durable, high-performing tape solution for busy HVAC contractors around the country.
Excellent Performance and Quality
AF 099 is an aluminum foil HVAC tape that is ideal for joining and sealing joints, connections and seams on rigid fiberglass ductboard and flexible air duct. It can also be used in place of mechanical fasteners on rigid ductboard. UL 181A-P/B-FX Listed and printed, AF 099 delivers full system closure – a system free of air leaks – by forming airtight bonds on joints and seams in temperatures ranging from -20 F to 260 F and in humid conditions.
Other applications for Shurtape’s AF 099 foil HVAC tape include repairing metal or sheet metal and temporary fixes for outdoor electrical boxes. In addition, it can be used for furnace installation/replacement, sheet metal ventilation fan exhaust ductwork, and dryer vent or bath fan installation jobs.
“Contractors have long trusted our AF 100 UL Listed foil tape for a range of HVAC applications, especially when it comes to delivering full system closure,” said Lisa Zierfuss, product manager for HVAC tapes at Shurtape Technologies. “Contractors need to minimize air leakage in order to pass inspection, and want reliable, high-performing tape solutions that deliver permanent, airtight bonds. AF 099 is another tool in their toolbox to get the job done right the first time.”
Find more information about Shurtape’s aluminum foil and film tapes at Shurtape.com/types/foil-film-foam/aluminum-foil-film. To learn more about Shurtape brand, visit Shurtape.com.
Navien, Inc. announced three new innovations during their boiler virtual launch event on February 16. The three new products include the NCB-H condensing combi-boiler, NFC-H condensing fire tube combi-boiler and NFB-H condensing fire tube boiler. Navien’s new NCB-H condensing combi-boiler series includes 5 models ranging from 160,000 BTU/H for DHW and 60,000 BTU/H for heating Read more
NCB-H Condensing Combi Boiler
Navien, Inc. announced three new innovations during their boiler virtual launch event on February 16. The three new products include the NCB-H condensing combi-boiler, NFC-H condensing fire tube combi-boiler and NFB-H condensing fire tube boiler.
Navien’s new NCB-H condensing combi-boiler series includes 5 models ranging from 160,000 BTU/H for DHW and 60,000 BTU/H for heating, to an industry first 210,000 BTU/H DHW and 150,000 BTU/H heating. The NCB-H uses durable dual stainless steel heat exchangers for heating and a separate flat plate stainless steel heat exchanger for DHW.
NFB-H Fire Tube Condensing Boiler
Advanced features on the NCB-H include 15:1 TDR for DHW and up to 11:1 TDR for heating, advanced controls with intuitive display, built-in advanced DHW recirculation controls, 2” venting up to 65’ and 3” venting up to 150’, common venting capability with up to 7 NPE tankless water heaters, cascade capability with up to 15 NPE tankless water heaters, field gas convertibility to NG high altitude (5,400 ft. to 10,100 ft.) or LP (up to 10,000 ft.) and a new DHW module with mixing valve and flow adjustment valve.
NCB-H is available to ship from Navien immediately.
NFC-H Fire Tube Condensing Boiler
Navien also revealed updates to their fire tube lines with the NFC-H fire tube combi-boilers and NFB-H fire tube boilers. Both the NFC-H and NFB-H now offer turndown ratios up to 15:1, powered connections for 3 zone pumps or 3 zone valves, easy to use Setup Wizard for improved installation, 2” venting up to 65’ and 3” venting up to 150’. The NFC-H also includes increased DHW performance with up to 210,000 BTU/H for DHW, offering up to 5.4 GPM at a 70-degree temperature rise. Both the NFC-H and NFB-H will begin shipping from Navien in April 2021.
Navien will host another virtual launch event focused on water heaters on March 16, 2021. Registration is still open for the event at navieninc.com/live. For more information on all products shown during Navien’s boiler virtual launch event, visit navieninc.com.