ECMI Logo ECMI Banner  energy star logo

 

 
   

Stack Draft Regulator
Q&A


This is a summary of the typical questions and answers that have been asked by people considering use of the Stack Draft Regulator System:

Q. The Stack Draft Regulator System sounds like a great device. If it's so good, why haven't I heard about it before?
A. The inventor of the SDR System wanted to be sure that all of the appropriate patents were in place or pending before the product was introduced on a large scale. In Canada he wanted to secure the CSA approval as well. That is all done and the product is being rolled out now on a serious basis. In Canada it is currently available in British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario, followed quickly by the other provinces and territories.
Q. Is the Stack Draft Regulator System approved for installation in Canada?
A. Yes. The SDR System is CSA approved under Lab Standard 003b for all natural draft boilers, furnaces and hot water heaters. The CSA Lab Standard 003b was essentially written specifically to deal with the SDR System and is currently in the final stages of revision and will include all power boiler systems in the revised standard. The CSA compliance certificate number is 1346651. CSA approval is not necessarily required by the approving governmental authority in each province.

In the United States the SDR is already being installed on both natural draft and power systems.

Q. Can I use my own staff or my own contractor to install the SDR System?
A. If you prefer to have your own staff or contractors install the SDR System, it can be done under the close supervision of one of our trained and approved installers. Your staff or contractor, as the case may be, must be government licensed gasfitters.
Q. Is there product liability insurance in place?
A. Yes, there is extensive product liability insurance in place through The Hartford Insurance Company and Lombard General Insurance Company. Copies of insurance certificate are available on request.
Q. Will the SDR System harm my equipment or affect my manufacturer's warranty for my boiler or furnace?
A. No. The SDR System is installed in the stack for your equipment, not your furnace or boiler, so there are no modifications to your equipment. After the installation of the SDR System, draft conditions are tested and confirmed to meet both manufacturer and government specifications. As part of the installation process the combustion efficiency of your equipment is tested and, if necessary, adjusted to the improved draft conditions of your stack.
Q. Will the SDR System cause condensate problems in the stack?
A. No. Condensate problems are caused by temperature fluctuations in the stack that are common with the on/off cycling of your furnace or boiler. The SDR System never closes the stack and in fact regulates the stack temperature in both the on and off cycles, so condensate problems are either reduced or prevented.
Q. Is the SDR System suitable for all systems?
A. No. But it is suitable in approximately 90% of systems and will provide substantial cost savings. It is designed for gas and oil fired furnaces, boilers and hot water systems. Some situations where it is not suitable include installation with condensing boilers and where existing equipment is at the point of needing replacement. Also, the SDR is not intended for systems which already have stack-side O2 trimmers in place. 

In all instances our pre-install inspection process verifies the suitability of the SDR System for installation.

Q. We have boilers that our consultant tells us are already operating at a really high efficiency. Can the SDR System still produce worthwhile savings?
A. Yes, typically worthwhile savings can still be produced. Even in high efficiency systems there is still excess air and excess oxygen. That means that savings are still possible.
Q. What happens if I change out some of my equipment after the SDR System has been installed?
A. One of the great features of the SDR System is that it becomes a part of your stack and, in most cases, can be utilized with replacement equipment provided the stack is not changed. The only requirement is that the SDR System will need to be adjusted in conjunction with the installation of your new equipment to ensure that draft conditions are optimized within the manufacturer's specs. In instances where the stack is changed with the equipment we provide replacement SDR System at minimal cost to ensure you can continue to enjoy the savings produced by the SDR with your new equipment.
Q. How do we determine savings attributed to the SDR System if I'm also implementing other energy savings measures?
A. The best thing to do is to stage your energy savings initiatives so that you have the chance to assess the savings from each measure before you move on to the next one. We recommend that when the SDR System is installed that its performance be monitored for two to three months before you change anything else. That way you'll have a good indication of the fuel and cost savings coming from the SDR System.
Q. OK. I'm convinced that the Stack Draft Regulator System will save me money. What do I do next?
A. Call us to schedule a feasibility study at your facility.

 


 
 

Copyright © 2003-2009 ECMI