How to Design and Sell Mod-Con Boilers - Self Study

Roy Collver • Last updated 02/2021

4.4/5 (view ratings)

372 students

2 modules

2:02 hours

6 assignments

Course description

A significant change in the North American hydronic heating industry took off and gained altitude in the mid 1990’s. Residential and light-commercial gas-fired boilers started to rapidly evolve from high-temperature, chimney-vented appliances to pressure-vented, modulating, high-efficiency condensing (mod-con) boilers.

This 2 week free course will explain the basic economics of mod-con boilers in retrofit and new construction applications. It will teach you what you need to know to start selling this equipment more effectively.

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Full course outline

Module 1 - Mod-con Boilers In Retrofit Applications (part 1)

Many existing hydronic heating systems use high-temperature terminal units, such as fin-tube baseboard. Can the extra cost of installing a Mod-Con boiler in these retrofit situations be justified? The answer is yes - almost always. We crunch the numbers and explain why. In this module, we will explore 5 critical areas. The mining of weather data for system design details so we can find the edges of the envelope. Outdoor reset operation for space heating, how it changes everything. Seasonal heating load profiles – using NRCan research findings into a variety of climate zones. Why Mod-Cons are able to maximize the benefits from outdoor reset. Step-by-step process to estimate how much we can save, even in older high temperature systems. We will look at all of the factors that lead to saving energy, and discuss how much they might contribute.

Utilizing Mod-Con Boilers in Retrofit Applications (60 minutes) (01:00:41 hours)
Presentation Slides (.pdf)

Module 2 - Mod-con Boilers In Retrofit Applications (part 2)

Energy savings after actual boiler plant retrofits are often much higher than initial estimates had suggested. In this session, we show you some of the reasons for these happy results. We also work through a savings estimation method to help you calculate potential energy savings when replacing older boilers with modern condensing technology. Which factors impact boiler efficiency, and how much one can reasonably expect to save? We'll outline a step-by-step process to estimate how much we can save, even in older high temperature systems. We will review the step-by-step process introduced in the first session and punch in some numbers for the remaining 6 factors including: 1) The mining of weather data for system design details so we can find the edges of the envelope, 2) Outdoor reset operation for space heating and how it changes everything, 3) Seasonal heating load profiles and using NRCan research findings into a variety of climate zones, and 4) Why mod-con boilers are able to maximize the benefits from outdoor reset.

How to Calculate Mod-Con Boiler Savings (62 minutes) (01:02:01 hours)
Presentation Slides (.pdf)

Author

Roy Collver

President, OTBC Inc

Hydronics Specialist / Educator, Class 1 Gas-Fitter and Illustrator, Roy has applied his creative force and problem solving abilities toward the improvement of hydronics in North America for over 35 years. His varied experience at the very cutting edge of new development in hydronics has allowed him to apply his unique knowledge and skill set toward becoming a premier... Learn more

Ratings

4.4

27 reviews

372 students have taken this course

by Kannika J 10/25/2019

Enjoyed

by Joel Nzima 04/08/2019

I think it is properly more developing

by Dustin Stobert 04/24/2017

Very quick and informative about the benefits of using modulating condensing boilers. It was interesting to see the comparisons of conventional boilers vs mod/con boilers, combined with approximate percentages of energy savings.

by Mashudu Libazo, Mechanical Desinger, Khatima Engineering Services 09/09/2016

Is interesting

by Bob Shea 08/08/2016

I found the course extremely beneficial. The ability of being able to view the presentation at one's convenience is very helpful.

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Certificates of completion are only provided to HeatSpring Membership subscribers. This course has not been approved by any credentialing organizations (NABCEP, AIA, USGBC etc) for Continuing Education Credits (CEUs). This course is for self education purposes only and completion does not indicate a level of professional expertise or credential.

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