System information

6
Geothermal Applications
ClimateMaster: Smart. Responsible. Comfortable.
vFlow™ Internal Variable Water Flow
Industry-fi rst, built-in vFlow™ replaces a traditionally
ineffi cient, external component of the geothermal system
(water circulation) with an ultra-high-effi cient, variable speed,
internal water fl ow system. This saves homeowners 70-80%
on operating water circulator vs traditional single speed
pump systems. It saves installers time and labor by avoiding
installing bulky external fl ow centers or fl ow regulators. Multi-
unit installations are also much simpler with vFlow™ systems,
as the units automatically adjust water fl ow across the system.
vFlow™ is enabled by iGate™, which facilitates intelligent
communication between the thermostat, DXM2 control,
sensors and internal water pump/valve to make true variable
water fl ow a reality.
vFlow™ is available for three applications:
1) Closed loop – individual unit pumping: vFlow™ Internal
Flow Controller model would be used. This includes
variable speed pump, fl ushing ports, 3 way fl ushing valves
and expansion tank. Copper water coil is standard with this
option.
2) Closed loop – multi unit / central pumping: vFlow™ Internal
Low Pressure Drop (high Cv) Motorized Modulating Valve
would be used. Copper water coil is standard with this
option.
3) Open loop: vFlow™ Internal Motorized Modulating Valve
would be used. Cupro-Nickel water coil is standard
with this option. Valves in open loop models have
higher pressure drop than the valves in the closed loop
(modulating valve) models for better fl ow control when
used in systems with higher pressure water supply pumps,
and are not recommended for closed loop applications.
vFlow™ delivers three main benefi ts:
1) Easier and quicker unit installation as the fl ow control is
built in to the unit.
2) Superior reliability by varying the water fl ow to deliver more
stable operation.
3) Higher cost savings by varying the fl ow (and pump watt
consumption) to match the unit’s mode of operation.
Internal components
Tranquility
®
Digital units can be installed more easily and
compactly than others because water-fl ow components are
internal to the unit. It also saves installing contractors labor and
time by eliminating the need for an external fl ow regulator or a
bulky external pumping module.
Variable fl ow
vFlow™ technology enables variable water fl ow through
the unit, with the DXM2 control adjusting the pump speed
to maintain an installer-set loop ∆T. By controlling the water
fl ow, the system is able to operate at its optimal capacity and
effi ciency. vFlow™ provides a lower fl ow rate for part load
where units typically operate 80% of the time and a higher,
more normal fl ow rate for full load operation.
vFlow™ Internal Variable Water Flow Control
193
74
430
Pump
Watts
3 Ton
System
4 Ton
System
vFlow
™
External
Pump
96
448
141
5 Ton
System
Variable speed pump or motorized modulating
valve delivers variable water-fl ow, controlled
by DXM2 control, based on loop water ∆T.
Energy Savings with water circulation control
Units with vFlow™ deliver higher operating cost savings by
varying the water fl ow to match the unit’s operation (ex: lower
water fl ow when unit is in part load operation). Lowering the
fl ow results in lower energy consumption by the water pump
(=higher cost savings) in vFlow™ units (whether internal or
external pump).
In closed loop applications, using vFlow™ with an internal
variable-speed (ECM) fl ow controller, the ECM pump uses
fewer watts than a fi xed speed (PSC) pump, even at full load
(see chart). The ECM pump excels in energy savings in part
load, saving 70-80% watts compared to fi xed speed pumps
(see chart). The ECM pump can operate with independent
fl ow rates for heating and cooling, further saving even more
energy.
In open loop applications, when the motorized modulating
valve slows down the water fl ow during part load operation,
the external pump consumes fewer watts, thus saving
energy.