I had 4 ton, open loop, 2 stage Climate Master installed last summer. The install has only one solenoid valve and flow regulator on the discharge to control the water flow rate. The installation manual shows two (one for each stage). Installer said two valves and regulators won't make any difference. Is this typical ? Thanks for your help in advance....
Hi and welcome, Installing two solenoid valves will conserve water usage, however it adds cost and complexity to the install without much measurable return on that exercise. Most open loops adopt a "set it for second stage usage and forget it" attitude. Hope this helps. Eric
The waterflow As we just come off installing that exact setup, I question the split as it is around a 70/30 flow split. The hassle and costs and additional complexity might not have been worth it. Water conservation is though, so that is the trade off.
How much does it cost you to pump an extra 150 thousand gallons (or so) a year. That would be the ball park difference in my area for a 4 ton. If you want to set aside water conservation arguments, there are economic factors here. Yes extra controls cost extra money and are subject to maintence/failure. Which is cheaper? We have a customer with an Artesian well (zero pump cost)- 1 control. If you are using an existing well, are there capacity concerns that make lower (whenever possible) flow, better? Life expectancy of a pump. Like anything operating hours matter. Will it last longer if it pumps at least a million less gallons every 6-7 years? Among the arguments for 1 control you want to remember that COP may improve with greater than minimum GPM. Finally what do you pay per kw hour of electricity? That certainly matters in this discussion. Again if you remove water conservation from the equation, I percieve it as a pay now or pay later proposition. Neither is wrong, just different. Joe
