Bosch unveils innovation in sustainable water heating

Bosch Hot Water has unveiled an innovation in sustainable water heating for large homes and commercial projects, with the release of the ‘Bosch 32C Commercial Condensing’ system. Featuring a new innovation – 'condensing technology' – the 6-star energy-rated Bosch 32C is the only one of its kind on the market and is the most energy-efficient continuous flow commercial gas water heater available.

Bosch’s new condensing technology captures waste heat from exhaust gas and uses it to preheat incoming cold water. The effect is an energy saving of up to 16%, compared to a standard continuous flow system.

The condensing process delivers thermal efficiency of 94% and above, which translates to significant energy savings when compared to any other method of gas water heating. This peak operating efficiency is particularly notable when compared with traditional gas storage (tank) systems, which commonly deliver only 60% efficiency.

As well as cost advantages, choosing a condensing system over a conventional electric unit equates to tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions saved – the equivalent of taking one-and-a-half cars or more off the road for a year*.

The Bosch 32C is designed for applications where there is demand for large volumes of hot water.  As well as large (three or more bathroom) homes, it is ideally suited to locations such as apartment buildings, sporting venues, caravan parks, shower blocks, hotels, cafes and restaurants, commercial kitchens, wineries, dairy farms, office buildings, hospitals, shopping centres, abattoirs, factories, pool heating and mining operations.

It is the only true commercial unit on the market and the only continuous flow system able to be installed internally or externally. It can run up to 16 to 20 hours per day, producing a flow rate of 32 litres per minute with gas consumption of 217 MJ/hr.

The Bosch 32C can be installed as a single unit, manifolded or in combination with storage, and is compatible with solar hot water and warm water return systems.

Optional temperature controllers (up to three) can be fitted, offering fingertip water temperature control.

The unit is available in 37°C to 85°C temperature range (without temperature controllers), 37°C to 80°C temperature range (with temperature controllers), or 50°C locked.

The equivalent domestic condensing model, the ‘Bosch 26eco+’, with a 6.9-star energy rating, was recently named the GreenPlumbers ‘Product of the Year’ (2009), demonstrating the superior ecological benefits of the Bosch condensing range.

* Calculation based on carbon emissions in Victoria, where the average car produces four tonnes of greenhouse gas per year.  Averages may vary in other regions.  Source : Sustainability Victoria.