GAS TECHNOLOGY ADVANCES AND IMPLICATIONS FOR THE COMMERCIAL SERVICE WATER HEATING MARKET

摘要

Within the past five to ten years, a number of new technologies have been developed and made their way into natural gas-fired water heaters designed for the commercial market. These advances in technology have transformed the selection and design of water heating systems for commercial building types that require quick recoveries, highly variable hot water demands, and/or low operating costs. While conventional tank designs with atmospheric burners still make up a large portion of the market, the new designs can provide tremendous advantages through increased flexibility of placement, lower installation costs, smaller profile, and higher operating efficiencies. At the same time, their installation and operation characteristics are not the same as a conventional design, and they must be applied and installed in accordance with manufacturer’s specific recommendations to prevent problematic failures. The driving forces leading to the adoption of these technologies in the market for commercial water heating equipment will be discussed and the potential benefits of their use in the commercial end-use market segment. The results of efficiency testing will demonstrate their potential for energy operating cost reductions to the operators in specific segments. Real-world examples of applications will be highlighted in several case studies, which will include the operating cost savings and other benefits realized by the commercial end-user. Last, the challenges associated with this equipment will be reviewed relative to improved understanding of system design, installation and application.