What Makes A Rheem Hydronic Air Handler So Efficient, and Why Should You Pair It With a Rheem Tankless Water Heater?

Online, June 22, 2012 (Newswire.com) - Remember the steam engine that powered the engines in locomotives and riverboats? Now imagine more hydropower could be applied to heating your home "on demand" without having to refill, re-store store and reheat tankfuls of water every day. Rheem's newly-redesigned, high efficiency Hydronic Air Handler, part of the Rheem Integrated Heating & Water Heating System is now available in the United States and Canada to provide a unique and efficient way to heat both the air and water in a home-while also being compatible with Rheem air conditioners air conditioners and heat pumps.

When a Rheem tankless gas water heater is matched with the hydronic air handler, hot water is circulated through the air handler and is then re-circulated back to the tankless water heater. This pairing of products provides a soft, comfortable heat to the home while maintaining comfortable humidity levels regardless of the climate.

"In the recent down economy, we've seen savvy mechanical contractors and plumbers identify new avenues for business. The Rheem Integrated Heating & Water Heating System has become a go-to product for mechanical contractors to enter the tankless water heating space and for plumbers to enter the residential heating market," said Sal Brunetto, corporate national accounts manager, Rheem. "Now that we've upgraded the efficiency of the Rheem Hydronic Air Handler's motor, timing is ripe for other contractors and plumbers to use this product to expand offerings and, ultimately, increase business."

The redesigned Rheem Hydronic Air Handler is AHRI-certified and can meet ENERGY STAR® qualifications when paired with certain Rheem high efficiency air conditioners and heat pumps to create a home comfort system. When this air handler is paired with the Rheem Prestige™ Series Condensing Tankless Water Heater, which operates at 94 percent efficiency, the space-heating portion of the system will be just as efficient, and the resulting system is comparable to a 90+ percent efficient furnace. Also, the air handler utilizes an 11 to 100 percent combustion modulation formula for precise temperature control. Inherent to tankless water heaters, combustion modulation technology electronically increases or decreases the burner's flame size to match the homeowner's temperature needs.

Additional features of the Rheem Hydronic Air Handler include:

• A low profile, 34-inch design, which makes the unit lighter and easier to handle;
• an easy-access panel so contractors can remove one service panel and access the blower, which houses the controls, motor and blower;
• an insulated blower compartment-making it one of the quietest hydronic air handlers available today;
• an integrated control board with diagnostics that manage all operational functions of the unit; the control board also provides hook-ups for a humidifier and an electronic air cleaner; and
• no gas or vent connections, which leads to greater installation flexibility and lower installation costs.

The Rheem Integrated Heating & Water Heating System is also ideal for climates where heat pump systems are frequently used. It's proven to be popular in states like California, which places a tremendous focus on energy conservation and efficiency. In 2012, California's South Coast Air Quality Management Department (SCAQMD) implemented a new rule that reduces the NOx (nitrogen oxide) emissions allowed from tankless water heaters to 14 nanograms per Joule of heat output. Rheem offers a comprehensive selection of tankless water heaters that meet SCAQMD's new requirement, making the Rheem Integrated Heating & Water Heating System an efficient heating and water heating option for California-based homeowners.

Rheem will continue to enhance the features and technology associated with the Rheem Hydronic Air Handler throughout the next year.