Why automatic hydronic balancing cuts costs

Journal Article · Mon Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1993 · Heating, Piping and Air Conditioning; (United States)

OSTI ID:5883335

Casillas, R M ^[1]

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1. Griswold Controls, Irvine, CA (United States)

This article discusses how the technology of automatic flow-control valves now offers important new savings that start at the drawing board. One of the many decisions made by engineers and contractors during new building construction and building renovation is whether to install automatic flow-control valves. In the past, manual balancing valves were considered the low-cost choice even though manual balancing is extremely time consuming and cannot provide the high levels of energy savings and occupant comfort offered by automatic balancing valves. Decision makers under stringent budget constraints have focused on the fact that manual valves have a low purchase price, comprise fewer components than automatic valves, and install quickly into piping. However, automatic combination flow-control valves now more than offset the initial purchase cost advantages of manual balancing valves. These newer automatic valves combine many components into one compact valve requiring only two pipe connections. Making these two connections complete the installation since flow balancing is automatic. When used in place of manual balancing valves, the new combination valves are easily justified by installation cost savings, although total cost savings go much further.

• OSTI ID: 5883335
• Journal Information: Heating, Piping and Air Conditioning; (United States), Journal Name: Heating, Piping and Air Conditioning; (United States) Vol. 65:2; ISSN HPAOAM; ISSN 0017-940X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320106* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Building Equipment-- (1987-)
CONTROL EQUIPMENT
ENERGY CONSERVATION
ENERGY SYSTEMS
EQUIPMENT
FLOW RATE
FLOW REGULATORS
PIPES
SPACE HVAC SYSTEMS
THERMAL COMFORT
VALVES