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Comfort Plus Hydronic

Comfort Plus Hydronic

BUILT FOR COMFORT

The Steffes Comfort Plus Hydronic Furnace (5100 Series) adds a new dimension to heating by blending hydronic heating with Electric Thermal Storage (ETS) technology. During off-peak hours, when electricity costs and energy usage rates are low, the Steffes Hydronic furnace converts electricity into heat and stores it in specially-designed ceramic bricks located inside the unit. Through the use of a heat exchanger, this stored heat is transferred to water and then delivered to areas where it is needed.

The furnace is extremely flexible and can handle multiple heating zones. Heat can be delivered by a radiant floor system, baseboard radiation, free standing radiators, a forced air system or almost any combination of zoned delivery systems.

ECONOMICAL & EFFICIENT

With its ETS technology, the Steffes Hydronic Furnace can substantially lower electricity costs while delivering the high-quality radiant heating associated with traditional hydronic systems. The Steffes Comfort Plus Hydronic Furnace is perfect for radiant floor systems, baseboard radiation and even forced-air systems. And all Comfort Plus furnaces can be equipped with a heat pump system for even greater efficiency.

When interfaced to a heat pump, this furnace offers one of the most economical heating and cooling options available. By pairing the two systems, the Comfort Plus Hydronic Furnace will add the precise amount of supplemental heat required to ensure constant comfort while still allowing full optimization of the heat pump’s efficiency.

The Comfort Plus Hydronic furnace is easy to operate. Just set the room thermostat to the desired comfort level and enjoy the safe, clean, reliable and economical heat this off-peak system provides.

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VIRTUAL HOME EXPERIENCE

Steffes Electric Thermal Storage (ETS) systems work smarter, cleaner and greener to deliver increased warmth and reduced energy costs. Forced air, hydronic or room units – Steffes offers premiere heating solutions for any home configuration.

Explore Steffes ETS in our virtual home experience. This interactive walk-through illustrates how each Steffes system works with your home to increase comfort and efficiency.

Features

Features

100 percent efficient

Clean, Safe, Reliable

Easy to operate

Minimal maintenance required

Built-in circuit breakers eliminate need for a service disconnect

Optional air handler and static heat recovery unit available

Auxiliary load control capabilities

Five-year limited parts warranty

Full list 5100 Series Comfort Plus Hydronic Furnaces features

Specifications

Comfort Plus Hydronic Furnaces Specifications Chart (5100 Series)

MODEL 5120 5130 5140
Charging Input (See Note 1) 14.0 kW 19.2 kW 24.8 kW 28.8 kW 37.2 kW 38.4 kW 45.6 kW
Single Feed: Minimum Circuit Ampacity 240 V (Includes 25% Derate for Continuous Load) 84 amps 110 amps 140 amps 160 amps 204 amps 210 amps 248 amps
Element Current Draw 59 amps 80 amps 104 amps 120 amps 155 amps 160 amps 190 amps
Element Circuits Required (See Note 2) 1-20 amp
2-30 amp
1-30 amp
2-40 amp
1-40 amp
2-50 amp
4-40 amp 4-50 amp 4-50 amp 4-60 amp
Pump and Blowers/Controls Circuit Required 1-15 amp (10 amps maximum load)
Pump Voltage 120V (neutral conductor required) 
Blower/Controls Voltage 240V or 208V
System Dimensions  (W x D x H in inches) 29 x 46.5 x 46 29 x 46.5 x 57 29 x 46.5 x 68
Storage Capacity (See Note 3)
120 kWh (409,440 BTU) 180 kWh (614,160 BTU) 240 kWh (818,880 BTU)
Approximate Installed Weight (See Note 4)
2,218 lbs 3,046 lbs 3,894 lbs
Number of Brick
     Whole Brick
     Half Brick

105
6

150
12


198
12

Pipe Size – Water Inlet/Water Outlet 1”
Output Water Temperature Selection Range 50°F/10°F to 185°F/85°C
Maximum Working Pressure 20 PSIG requires 30 PSI Pressure Relief Valve (Standard)
Optional: 60 PSIG req. 75 PSI Pressure Relief Valve; 125 PSIG req. 150 PI Pressure Relief Valve
Minimum Flow Rate (primary loop) 1 GPM per 10,000 BTU of required output at 20°F temperature rise (10 GPM maximum)

Maximum Maintainable Heat Loss (See Note 3)
     8 Consecutive Charge Hours (BTU/Hr) 
     12 Consecutive Charge Hours (BTU/Hr) 
     6/4/6/8 Charge Strategy (BTU/Hr) 


20,414
30,621
30,621

27,996
41,994
41,994

34,175
45,566
54,242

41,994
62,991
92,991

49,212
65,615
81,363

55,992
83,988
93,988

65,615
87,487
99,738
Internal Pressure Drop (assuming 50% glycol mix) .1 ft @ 2 GPM
.2 ft @ 4 GPM
.4 ft @ 6 GPM
.7 ft @ 8 GPM
1.1 ft @ 10 GPM

Note 1: Standard configuration (240V) systems can be connected to 208V; however, the charging input of the system will derate by 25%. If 208V specific charging voltage is required, it is available as a special factory order. For 277V systems, refer to the 7100 series.
Note 2: Unit is factory configured with multiple line voltage, single phase circuit connections. If single feed to the element and blowers controls circuits is desired, an optional single feed kit is available. Phase balancing is recommended when making connections in 3-phase applications.
Note 3: The size and heating ability of the system required for an installation is dependent on the heat loss of the area and the power company’s off-peak hours. In addition, if the unit is not installed within the heated area, heat lost statically must be taken into account when sizing a system. Contact Steffes for assistance in selecting an appropriately sized system.
Note 4: Contact a building contractor or architect if you have structural weight concerns of the installation surface selected. Adhere to all national and local electrical and building code placement requirements for electrical heating appliances. 

Technical Data

With Heat Pump

Comfort Plus Hydronic System Installed with a Heat Pump

Heat pump systems are known as one of the most efficient methods of heating and cooling. Utilizing a Comfort Plus Hydronic unit with a heat pump allows the heat pump’s high efficiency to be combined with off-peak electric rates making this heating and cooling system the lowest operation cost option. In addition, the Comfort Plus Hydronic unit ensures comfort regardless of outdoor temperature.

In heat pump applications, the Comfort Plus Hydronic unit replaces the resistance strip heat or secondary heat, which is typically required as a supplement or backup to heat pump systems, with low cost, off-peak stored heat. As outside temperatures decline the stored heat in the Comfort Plus Hydronic unit is used in conjunction with the heat pump’s heating capacity to satisfy comfort requirements. During on-peak hours or when the demand for heat is at the point where the heat pump alone cannot satisfy the heating requirements, the stored heat is used to supplement the heat pump. The Comfort Plus Hydronic unit allows the heat pumps efficiency to be utilized even during cooler outdoor temperatures.

To interface the Comfort Plus Hydronic unit to a heat pump, the Steffes Air Handler is required. The Steffes Air Handler not only allows the Steffes Comfort Plus Hydronic furnace to supplement the heat pump and provide comfort modulation when needed; but, it also will direct the heat lost statically through the furnace’s outer panels into the ductwork for delivery to the living space (automatic static heat recovery).

The Comfort Plus/Heat Pump system offers significant benefits:
  • Provides great comfort 24 hours a day
  • Provides for a high efficiency, low cost heating and cooling system all in one
  • Optimizes system performance by allowing the heat pump’s efficiency to be fully utilized
  • Eliminates the cool discharge air temperatures associated with heat pump systems during low outdoor temperatures
  • The Comfort Plus/Heat Pump combination, when used with off-peak electric rates, is the most economical heating and cooling system available.
How the System Works
  1. The room thermostat in the home is set to desired comfort level. If room temperature decreases below the room thermostat set point, the system is energized to deliver heat.
  2. Upon a heat call from the room thermostat, the heat pump’s outdoor compressor unit is energized and warms the A-coil in the return air duct of the Comfort Plus unit. At the same time, the Comfort Plus unit’s supply air blower is energized.
  3. The supply air blower draws air from the home across the air filter and the heat pumps A-coil extracting heat from the coil.
  4. A sensor monitors air temperature after the A-coil. If the air temperature is warm enough to provide comfort to the homeowner (generally 90° F or higher), the supply air blower simply delivers the warm heat into the home through the supply air duct.
  5. If air temperature after the heat pump coil is below a comfortable level (generally less than 90° F), the Comfort Plus unit’s core blower will modulate low cost, “Off-Peak” stored heat into the duct stream so comfortable heat (generally 90° F or higher) can be delivered into the home.
  6. Since heat pumps generally have an operating efficiency of 150%-300% or greater (depending on outdoor temperature), the Comfort Plus system allows the heat pump to satisfy as much of the heating requirement it can on its own. If the heat pump doesn’t have the ability to satisfy comfort and space heating requirements, the Comfort Plus system modulates into the duct the precise amount of its stored, low cost, off-peak heat to ensure comfort for the user at all times. Combining the heat pump’s efficiency with the off-peak Comfort Plus system yields very low operating costs for the end user along with great comfort.

Air Handler

Hydronic Furnace Air Handler

The Steffes Air Handler is an optional device designed to interface to the Comfort Plus Hydronic heating system to allow it to provide forced air heating in addition to radiant heating.

With an air handler, the furnace can provide forced air heating as either a stand-alone system or a supplement to other ducted heating systems such as a heat pump.

When used with a heat pump, the Comfort Plus Hydronic furnace can be used as the back-up heat source and to provide comfort modulation. Heat pumps can be operated to much lower temperature allowing for full utilization of its efficiency and optimizing system performance.

A duct sensor constantly monitors outlet air temperature and modulates the precise amount of stored off-peak heat needed into the duct to eliminate cool and uncomfortable discharge air temperatures. The air handler will also direct the heat lost statically through the furnace’s outer panels into the ductwork for delivery into the living space (automatic static heat recovery).

The internal controls of the Comfort Plus Hydronic furnace automatically regulates the operation of the air handler. The Steffes Air Handler includes a return plenum supply air blower and plenum, water coil and air filter. It is painted and fully insulated.

Steffes Air Handler Features:
  • Connects directly to the Comfort Plus Hydronic Unit (right side)
  • Provides option for ducted heating and cooling with Comfort Plus Hydronic Furnace.
  • Accepts most any coil
  • Provides automatic static heat recovery of heat coming off Comfort Plus Hydronic Furnace outer panels
  • Factory pre-wired to interface with Comfort Plus Hydronic control logic and output temperature sensing (no additional electrical components required)
  • Variable speed supply blower to ensure comfort, optimum performance and operational cost savings
Variable Speed (ECM) Blower:

The optional Steffes Air Handler is configured with a variable speed (ECM) blower to provide extra comfort as well as added cost savings. The variable speed blower delivers a more consistent, even temperature throughout the house to provide a more comfortable environment. because it is more efficient to operate than a typical standard blower system, it consumes less energy to reduce the overall operational cost. Other exceptional benefits include:

  • Quiet operation with automatic ramp up and down speed control
  • In “Fan Only” mode, the blower operates in low speed providing uniform air circulation and constant air filtration
  • Improved humidity control
Steffes Air Handler Specifications:
  1/2 HP, 60 HZ Variable Speed (ECM) Air Handler 1 HP, 60 HZ Variable Speed (ECM) Air Handler
Order Item Number 1302132 1302134
Dimensions (H x L x D) 72 11/16″ x 23 1/2″
x 23 7/8″
75 11/16″ x 26 1/2″
x 23 7/8″
Approximate Weight 200 lbs 225 lbs
Maximum Static Pressure (inches water column) .75 inches H2O .75 inches H2O
Maximum Water Coil Output 60,000 BTU/hr 90,000 BTU/hr
Maximum Outlet Temperature 120º F 120º F
A-Coil Tray – Front Access (H x L x D) 30″ x 22 5/16″ x 22 3/4″ 33″ x 25 5/16″ x 22 3/4″
Filter Dimensions 20″ x 20″ x 2″ 25″ x 20″ x 2″
Voltage 240/208 VAC 240/208 VAC
Wattage 560W 1,050W
CFM Ratings 1000, 1200, 1400, 1600 1200, 1400, 1600, 2000
Steffes Air Handler Dimensions

Static Heat

Residential Hydronic Furnace Static Heat

During operation of the Comfort Plus Hydronic unit, there will be some heat which passes from the core and radiates through the outer surfaces of the Comfort Plus Hydronic unit. If the Comfort Plus Hydronic unit is located in an area where this amount of radiant heat is excessive or not desired (such as a small room or an unheated basement), the Static Heat Recovery Unit can be used to move the majority of this heat to a more desirable location. Utilizing this option can maximize efficiency when the system is installed in an area with minimal heating requirements such as a utility room or garage. In applications using the Steffes Air Handler, the Static Heat Recovery Unit would not be needed as the Steffes Air Handler will provide for automatic heat recovery as well.

  • Connects directly to a Comfort Plus Hydronic Unit (left side)
  • Hardware and wiring is included for easy installation
  • Comfort Plus on-board controls automatically regulate operation
Static Heat Recovery Unit Specifications:
Maximum Outlet Temperature 190º Fahrenheit
Maximum Static Pressure .15 inches H20
CFM @ .15 SP 130
Voltage 240/208 VAC 60 HZ
Wattage 130
HP .1
Static Heat Recovery Unit Dimensions

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