Dwyer’s Series 490W Wireless Hydronic Differential Pressure Manometer is the most accurate and easy-to-operate manometer on the market. Along with wireless transducers and a mobile device, a single operator using a 490W can monitor and balance a hydronic system in less time and with less manpower than would be possible using a traditional hydronic balancer. In addition, being wireless, the 490W has zero hoses or manifolds – meaning there are no annoying attachments that need to be carried, that can snag onto equipment, or that need to be drained between readings.
Everything about the 490W makes life easier.
It truly is a transformative breakthrough in hydronic system testing and balancing. Just check out how the leading professionals at Atlantic Testing down in Powhatan, VA have been using the 490W to reduce costs and manpower – all without sacrificing any accuracy.
Atlantic Testing
Atlantic Testing, which was started in 2007 as a testing, adjusting, and balancing agency, is now a major testing firm servicing the Mid-Atlantic region, providing solutions for every type of project: from retail and industrial to military and government. With some of the most qualified and experienced technicians in the area, Atlantic Testing is a complete Building Certification company, offering a wide range of NEBB certified testing solutions – as well as others, like Sound & Vibration Measurement, Building Envelope Testing, and more.
When it comes to testing and balancing hydronic systems, Atlantic Testing has implemented the use of Dwyer’s 490W Wireless Hydronic Differential Pressure Manometers – and, as President and Lead Engineer Jon Sheppard puts it: “They’re wireless, they’re lightweight, and they’re always with us. They’re portable, and it only takes one person to operate them. When it comes to hydronic HVAC testing and balancing, the 490W is a lifesaver.”
Feelin’ Alright
Comfort is the name of the game when it comes to the commissioning of any project. Walk into a building and one of the first things you notice, whether you’re conscious of it or not, is the efficiency of the building’s heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems.
Is it too hot? Is it too cold? Does it feel all right over here, but when you walk over there, not so much?
In today’s world, hydronic HVAC systems are pretty much the standard for achieving and maintaining consistent, optimal comfort. These systems are much more economical to operate when compared to large refrigeration systems; however, it is essential to ensure that water flow and air flow within these hydronic systems are correct and optimized.
Why?
Because when water flow and air flow are correct and optimized, that means the system is operating smoothly. And when the system is operating smoothly, that means people are comfortable.
And when the occupants of a building are comfortable – well, that means not only less complaint calls (and, therefore, less necessary man-hours), but also less wear and tear on equipment and on control valves. Year over year, these benefits compound – and before you know it, you’re seeing noticeable reductions in energy costs and maintenance costs.
Out with the Old, In with the New
For decades, analog gages were standard in the industry. But these instruments were bulky and dealing with them was time consuming. These old gages had giant manifolds and hoses, and you had to hook them into the balancing valves or into the pump pressure ports. In addition to that, you had to vent the required systems and get all the water flowing through the manifold to make sure all the air was out.
Not only were they annoying to deal with, but they required more manpower, as well. You needed more than one person to operate these analog gages, since climbing a ladder to access the ceiling tiles and operating one of these giant analog gages was basically impossible.
As veterans of the industry can remember – these gages were quite the pain-in-the-neck.
But Dwyer’s Series 490W Wireless Hydronic Differential Pressure Manometer changes all of that.
With no hoses or manifolds, the 490W is wireless and can be operated by a single technician, which reduces costs. It is less time consuming – there’s no need to attach the gage to anything within the system and it can go right up the ladder with the technician. And, most importantly, it’s more accurate than the older types of gages.
So, okay. The benefits are clear. But how do you ensure that water flow and air flow are correct and optimized within your hydronic HVAC system?
The answer: testing.
Some symptoms of a poorly balanced system – like hot spots or cold spots – are obvious and easy to recognize. However, there are other symptoms – like pressure and flow rates – that are not so obvious and easy to diagnose. Ultimately, the key to fully identifying and understanding all symptoms, and therefore obtaining a correct and optimized system, is proper testing.
And that’s where Atlantic Testing steps in.
Atlantic Testing = Proper Testing
Armed with the highly calibrated, highly accurate Dwyer’s Series 490W Wireless Hydronic Differential Pressure Manometer, the Atlantic Testing technicians have the flexibility to easily go through a building and ensure that water is flowing through the hydronic system correctly and that it is doing so at the correct temperature.
“We can be walking around on the job site, and people won’t even know we’ve got a highly accurate meter right there in our pocket,” says Jon Sheppard. “And if we’re walking around just doing a site visit with a customer, we have the ability now to pull a meter right out of our pocket, because it’s our phone, put it on the pump or balancing valves or coils, and actually do some testing right there with them.”
Series 490W Wireless Hydronic Differential Pressure Manometer
To learn more about Dwyer’s Series 490W manometer, please visit our website.