Model: Vulcan S10
Location: Texas (USA)
Installation Area: Main water pipe for water heaters

About Habitat Suites:

Voted in 2019 by Expedia as one of the top 10 Eco-Friendly hotels in the world, Habitat Suites is a locally-owned and consciously operated boutique hotel experience with a rich 30-year history in environmental stewardship. Nestled in a relaxed green oasis carved right out of North Central Austin, we provide unique, hypoallergenic apartment-sized suites encompassed by lush canopied grounds and organic edible fruit and herb gardens. We serve clean, locally-sourced and organic vegetarian ingredients wherever possible as part of our substantial daily breakfast to help get your morning started off right. Every day, Habitat Suites promises an unrelenting dedication to the complete guest experience, getting to know your personal preferences from the moment you reserve your suite, each conveniently located within minutes of Austin's most beloved destinations and events.

Water Supply Summary and Pipe Layout:
Eco-friendly facility does not operate a salt water softener. City water is supplied to the complex by two main pipes of unknown diameter to water shutoff valves, located in front of the Guest House (Lobby). From that point pipes enter each Building by the boiler rooms where they split in two distribution sections.
1.Cold Water Building Main-Pipe Size1½-Pipe O.D. 1.9”
2.Hot Water Loop-Pipe Size 1¼ -Pipe O.D.-1.7”
(O.D.= Outside Diameter)

---

Water Heating System:

Type of Heaters: Natural Gas and Tank Type
Heater Manufacturing Dates and Brands:

• a. Building 1, Boiler A: 07/12/2004 AC Smith B:03/30/2005AC Smith
• b. Building 2, Boiler A: 08/01/2011 AC Smith B: 08/01/2011 AC Smith
• c. Building 3, Boiler A: 03/04/1994 State B: 10/11/1997 AC Smith

Heater Maintenance Overhaul Dates: (Dates: Provided by Management)

• Building 1 Heaters A and B: November 2016
• No contracted maintenance overhaul on record for Building 2
• Note on Building 3 Heater A -“Serviced 10/11/1997”

Heater General Specifications (All Equal):

---

Thermostat Setting –Heater Output Pipe–Building End Room Temperatures

Building #1

• Heater A-Thermostat Set to:140ºF-Output Pipe:128.5ºF - Room 1116: 110.2ºF
• Heater B-Thermostat Set to: 138ºF-Output Pipe: 127.2 ºF - (Serviced Nov/2016)

Building #2

• Heater A-Thermostat Set to: 160º F-Output Pipe: 152.1 ºF - Room 2209: 107.6ºF
• Heater B-Thermostat Set to: 160ºF-Output Pipe: 116.5ºF - (Urgent Service Req.)

Building #3

• Heater A-Thermostat Set to: N/A-Output Pipe: 125.7 ºF - Room 3209: 113.2ºF
• Heater B-Thermostat Set to: 130 ºF - Output Pipe: 126.5 ºF

---

Available vs. Recommended

On Site 2 Units per Building with Specs. As Described Below



Conclusion:
Per Heater Manufacturer AO Smith specs, the 3 apartment buildings at Habitat Hotel have an adequate design capacity to sustain 64 guests showering (8 minutes max. @ a 2.5 gpm. shower head flow) in each period of two hours and more. Actual mechanical condition, is marginally adequate or not adequate to supply this demand and not apt to compensate for a higher demand load beyond the indicated parameters unless set at 160ºF. See sizing documents provided.

---

Reported Mechanical Problems

Water Supply Problem Summary:
Not enough hot water to supply Building #2 end rooms on peak times at full occupancy. Reported presence of limescale on hot and cold pipes.

Other Notes:
A pipe section of the hot water return line to Building #2 heaters was replaced after showing a heavy obstruction due to calcium deposits. Pipe size reductions downstream promote minerals to accumulate in these sections. See actual Habitat Suites hot water loop pipe below.

Problem Causes:

1. Water Supply from Austin City (Very Hard 180-210 mg/L). No water softener on property.
2. Building #2 Heater B is set to 160ºF and outputs around 116.5º F. This is an indication of severe scaling on heating elements and water tank. Limescale obstructs proper heat transfer and reduces water tank capacity, making heating inefficient.
3. Scaling obstructing water flow at pipe O.D. reductions spots. Bathrooms, kitchens and heater returnline. Scaling may also be present at pipe 90º bends. Many pipe sections have been replaced for this reason.

---

Maintenance and Preventive Actions

Overview:
The damaging effects limescale can have on the lifespan of a water heater and its energy efficiency are significant. Where mains hard water exceeds 200 ppm, feed water to heaters and the hot water circuit must be chemically treated periodically to reduce the rate of limescale accumulation.

Recommended actions to take:
1.Options to prevent pipes from continuing building up scale.

• a. Vulcan Physical Water Treatment. Instant limescale prevention.
• b. Salt Water Softener. Expensive to purchase and to maintain. Does not dissolve scale.

2. Options to remove existing scale from pipes.

• a. Acid descaling of old copper pipes may be harmful to welds on pipe joints. Concerns about pipes leaking after being flushed with acid are very high.
• b. Pipe replacement. Non-practical. Costly and requires extended building shut down.
• c. Vulcan Physical Water treatment will dissolve the soft outer layers of scale within the first six months opening pipe space and preventing further incrustations. The inner layers of limestone are more solid. They will become soft after months of treatment and will be dissolved in the long run. Heating elements will always cause minerals to bake on to their surface. Vulcan will prevent solubilized minerals to keep building up over the baked-on surfaces by de-activating the adhesive properties of minerals.

3. Remove existing scale from heater tanks and heating elements.

• a. Schedule tank and heating elements cleaning for Building 2 Heater B during hot summer months. Depending on its condition, heating elements may need replacement. If possible, inspect Heater A for output level and internal condition.
• b. Schedule tank and heating elements cleaning for building 3 heaters during hot summer months.
• c. Schedule an inspection for building 1 heaters to evaluate its output level and internal condition.

---

Recommended Vulcan Physical Water Treatment Sizes

Cold Water Dia.1.9”– Vulcan S10
Hot Water Dia.1.7”– Vulcan S10

---

Actual Installation Pictures at Habitat Suites Vulcan S10 (2 Units)

Cold Main and Hot Water Recirculation Loop