Hot Water Filter Housing Suggestions?

Not sure whether the impediment to flow by the filter element itself makes a 3/4 vs 5/8 fitting material. I would tend to go with the higher temp rating, but I also would tend to go with the larger fitting. If on the return line, not likely to get more than 160 water returning, so either should work OK, IMO. Plus, I suspect there is a safety factor inherent in the design.

I have a SS with 3/4 fittings (pricey). Temp is not a concern, although the filter element is rated to 175. I use a 50 micron filter.

http://www.filtersfast.com/Pentek-PD-50-934-Sediment-Filter.asp

DenaliChuck said:

Does anybody have any experience, or opinions about these hot water filter housings?

--$100 rated to 160*, 3/4" fittings http://www.pentekfiltration.com/filter_housings.asp (it is the 310054 housing in the middle of the page) (I'd plumb into boiler return to avoid higher temps)

--$70 rated to 200*, 5/8"(?) fittings http://www.pwgazette.com/washerfilters.htm

Any others to suggest?

Thanks!

DC

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look up the Caleffi Dirtcal. I am going to be using a pair of those. they won't pull a lot of dirt out in a single pass, but in a closed system, have some pretty impressive ratings for cleaning up the system as it is used.

Hey DC

Check out these filter housings. I have ordered two to ensure nothing is getting by to the boilers. I had fittings added to my tank and I don't want the material in my boilers.

http://www.h2odistributors.com/fw4500ht34.asp

The price was good but they were waiting for more this week.

Derek

Derek,

Nice find...

Any idea what the flow rate is on the filters? I could not find on the site.

Thanks,
Steve

Be sure to install isolation valves. Do some searching on filters, as there is quite a price difference between vendors.

I looked up the Caleffi Dirtcal. I didn't see any info on what mesh the filter screen (I assume) is. My plate hx recommended a 100 micron (less would be OK). Does anyone know the mesh of this item? The 1" ports also are good.

At the listed price, it would be price competitive for replaceable filter products after only about 6-8 filter replacements. I certainly would strongly consider this. It would be useful to know how much head this unit adds as compared to a replaceable filter unit.

Maybe the best route would be to use a replaceable filter unit at first for a time to get rid of just about everything, and then switch to the Dirtcal for long term for economy, ease of use, and just in case any particles pop up later. And since there are so many new boiler installs going on, how about recycling the slightly used replaceable filter units?

jebatty, are you going to continue to run a filter in your system?

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I made some plumbing changes this summer, put a new filter on in early Sept, and soon I will check it to see if it is still catching anything. I know early on it caught a lot, and as it trapped sediment, etc., flow rate decreased. It would seem to me that if the filter is not trapping anything, 1) flow rate (head) will be minimally impacted and may as well leave the filter in or 2) just remove the filter because it is not providing any benefit. The one wrinkle is the plate hx (a coil hx would not pose the same issue), which could be adversely impacted if any particles, etc., may continue occasionally to flow through the system.

Long and short, have not made a final decision, but the filter check will provide more info. Plus, I still have on hand about 6 filters and I don't know what I would do with them.

jebatty said:

I looked up the Caleffi Dirtcal. I didn't see any info on what mesh the filter screen (I assume) is. My plate hx recommended a 100 micron (less would be OK). Does anyone know the mesh of this item? The 1" ports also are good.

Click to expand...

The Caleffi is a separator, not a filter. It separates some of the dirt with each pass, but does not stop all dirt on a single pass, like a filter will. Similar to how an air separator takes a few bubbles out with each pass.

Joe