1. This presentation covers the following topics:
Efficiency – IR vs other efficiency standards
Product changes – why we made them
Benefits – both tangible and intangible
Competition – How we match up to the competition.
Q and A

2. Misconceptions of Measuring Radiant Heater Performance
For years there have been misconceptions of what is the best way to measure the performance of a radiant heater.
Lets discuss some different forms of efficiency measurements and how they relate or do not relate to the performance of a radiant tube heater.

3. COMBUSTION Efficiency Convert fuel to ENERGY
- Combustion efficiency applies to the degree of effectiveness of how well fuel being burned is utilized in the combustion process.
- It does not explain how well energy is converted to useable energy for comfort heating
- Therefore it is a poor method to measure the performance of a radiant tube heater.
Does NOT explain how well energy
turns into comfort heating

4. THERMAL Efficiency Energy NOT LOST to exhaust
Thermal efficiency is another measurement term used in the industry.
It applies to the amount of energy that is not lost to atmospheric conditions – lost out the stack.
- Basically thermal efficiency tells us how much energy is available to be turned into radiant heat. It does not explain how much of the available heat is converted into radiant heat.
Does NOT explain how well energy
turns into radiant heat

5. AFUE−Annualized Fuel Utilization Efficiency
- AFUE Efficiency is the seasonal fuel utilization efficiency of equipment.
- This applies to furnaces, boilers and water heaters but it still does not explain or apply to infrared heating and the efficiency at which infrared energy is converted to usable energy for heat

6. All of these can contribute to overall “efficiency.”
The best indicator of radiant heater performance is by determining the Radiant Efficiency!
- All of the measures of efficiency have their place in describing the overall efficiency of the actual gas fired equipment.
- However only Radiant Efficiency can describe how infrared heaters function in providing comfort and heat where needed

7. Energy converted to Radiant Heat
RADIANT Efficiency
Energy converted to Radiant Heat
- Radiant Efficiency is the most relevant measurement of an Infrared heater’s efficiency.
- In simple terms, radiant efficiency is the measurement of energy input that is converted into radiant heat. The methodology takes into consideration a number of variables such as stack loss, and convection loss.
- AHRI 1330 is the new standard for IR heaters that measures the Radiant Efficiency of the equipment or system.
- Lets take a closer look at the new standard
The amount of energy converted to radiant energy
AHRI 1330 measurement methodology

8. CAN/ANSI/AHRI Standard Performance rating standard for radiant output of gas-fired infrared heaters
PURPOSE: The purpose of this standard is to establish for infrared heaters: definitions; test requirements; rating requirements; nomenclature; minimum data requirements for published ratings INTENT: This standard is intended for the guidance of the industry, including manufacturers, engineers, installers, contractors and users. SCOPE: This standard applies to infrared heaters that are gas-fired high-intensity infrared heaters and gas-fired low-intensity infrared heaters with inputs up to and including 400,000 BTU/h per burner intended for installation in and heating of indoor or outdoor spaces.
Approved by ANSI and the Standards Council of Canada, AHRI 1330 has been years in the making. The purpose of the standard is to provide a method of how to measure radiant efficiency across the industry.
The intent is to establish a guideline of radiant heater performance for engineers, contractors, etc….
AHRI 1330 is for gas fired radiant heaters only with inputs of up to 400,000 BTU.

9. CAN/ANSI/AHRI Standard Performance rating standard for radiant output of gas-fired infrared heaters
TESTING: AHRI 1330 sets a standard testing methodology across the industry to quantify real data and illuminate the misleading representations that have plagued our industry and muddied the water with the engineering community. INFRARED FACTOR (IF): The rating of units based on the radiant coefficient, or the percentage of radiant output listed as Infrared Factor (IF) from 7 to 15.
As mentioned in some previous slides, our industry has taken a beating over the years with not being able to provide recognized performance data relevant to infrared heaters. Although the standard is not a requirement, AHRI 1330 now provides a testing method along with a great opportunity to provide the engineering community with definitive information.
It is important to note that Roberts-Gordon is only 1 of 3 companies in the industry that has the capabilities to measure radiant efficiency.
AHRI introduced an easy-to-follow chart that is referred to as an “Infrared Factor” or (IF). Similar to the SEER rating system for Air Conditioning equipment, the infrared factor categorizes the radiant coefficient, or the radiant efficiency percentage into a 7 to 15 rating (IF-15 being highest achievable factor).

10. Infrared FACTOR Radiant Efficiency Infrared Factor (IF) ≤ 35% 7
> 35% ≤ 40% 8
> 40% ≤ 45% 9
> 45% ≤ 50% 10
> 50% ≤ 55% 11
> 55% ≤ 60% 12
> 60% ≤ 65% 13
> 65% ≤ 70% 14
> 70% 15
- AHRI recognized that radiant efficiency is a newer term and that even a high radiant efficiency percentage may not sound attractive to those not familiar with radiant efficiency. The infrared factor provides an alternative way to list the radiant efficiency of equipment.

11. TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE NEW STANDARD
Roberts Gordon is reestablishing itself as the infrared market leader. With a new Standard to measure to, we now have the ability to compare the performance of ourselves and that of the competition, and at the same time set us apart!
- And this is how we did it….

12. HIGH EFFICIENCY Reflector
ROBERTS GORDON® New
HIGH EFFICIENCY Reflector
Engineered to reflect the maximum amount of radiant energy emitted from the heat exchanger.
There are 6 gradual bends in this new reflector compared to 4 bends in our old reflector. The additional bends direct more radiant heat to the floor than any other reflector in the industry!
The wider profile also increases heat coverage which optimizes the heat pattern.
Additional bends were added to the reflector sides providing increased stability.

13. ROBERTS GORDON® Old Design
Red lines are
bounce back 1 2 3 4
- The CURRENT reflector has been in place for 30 YEARS -----ONE TIME INDUSTRY LEADER in radiant efficiency but no longer true.
Current design:
- 4 BENDS PER SIDE
- We do have some BOUNCE BACK RAYS
- When RAYS bounce OFF REFLECTOR TO TUBE and not to the floor it is not the most efficient design

14. ROBERTS GORDON® New Reflector2 1 3 4 5 6
- 6 BEND REFLECTOR GIVES THE MOST CONSISTENT AND HIGHEST RESULTS
- ELIMINATED BOUNCE BACK with ALL BEAMS TO THE FLOOR
- TUBE IS LOCATED AT PARABOLIC FOCAL POINT – it is up closer to the reflector which also reduces loss to convection.

15. Reflector Profile Comparison
CURRENT
NEW
SIDE BY SIDE Comparison
- The new has WIDER REFLECTIVE AREA – helps improve performance
- TUBE IS LOCATED IN THE FOCAL POINT OF PARABOLIC SHAPE – up closer to the reflector - MOST Efficient for reflectivity. This also minimizes convective losses around the “edge” of the reflector as mentioned in the previous slide.

16. Benefits of the new reflector
This new reflector provides a better heating solution for your customers
Also, testing to the new AHRI 1330 standard, we were able to achieve an IF of 15! A number unmatched in the industry positioning us as the clear industry leader.

17. HOW Do We Measure Up? 15 14 13 12
- Lets review old reflector results in blue…..read slide
- Then lets look at New Reflector in red….read slide
- The silver bar was a CORAYVAC system with new reflector. 3 – CRV-B10 burners.
- The new design gives us greater radiant efficiency and gives us a product that comes in at an IF of 14 or 15 across the product range.
- Our radiant efficiency ranged between 55 and 65% with the old design or a 12 or 13 IF by the new standard.
- The new reflector provides a radiant efficiency up to 72% and varies by system or heater. This new design gives an IF of 14 to 15 across the range of all RG products. Making us the clear industry leader.

18. LEAVING THE COMPETITION IN THE DUST!
None of our competitors can achieve a IF 15 rating. Lets see where they do come in….

19. Radiant Efficiency Across Industry
COMPARISON of
Radiant Efficiency Across Industry
We tested several of our competitors, our old reflector and our new reflector to the AHRI 1330 standard.
You can see our systems with the new reflector have a radiant efficiency of up to 72% or a Infrared Factor 15.

20. Competitor A −IF 14 Red lines are bounce back 2 1 3 4 5
- Competitor “A” - IF 14 – DUE PRIMARILY TO SHAPE
- NOTE 5 BENDS
- REDUCED BOUNCE BACK – But still some as noted by Red rays

21. Competitor B −IF 12 Red lines are bounce back
- Competitor “B” – SIMPLEST DESIGN LOWEST RESULTS
- IF - 12
- Significant Bounce Back

22. Competitor C −IF 14 Red lines are bounce back 2 reflectors
- SIMPLEST DESIGN
- However does implement a second reflector which acts as insulation
- HOWEVER THERE ARE SOME PITFALLS

23. Competitor C
- Double reflector while testing there was a LARGE DEFLECTION in the interior REFLECTOR.
- This would have a negative impact on system performance over time.

24. ROBERTS GORDON® New Reflector
The final shape how did we get there?
Parabolic reflector was target shape
Theoretically most effective
All beams deflected to floor
Most common example?
Most difficult to manufacture
Tested shapes to most closely representing a parabola
8-bend reflector
10-bend reflector
Did not yield highest results
- WHAT IS MOST EFFECITVIE SHAPE? PARABOLI
- However this is MOST DIFFICULT TO MANUFACTURE
- We did produce many different versions – with more and less bends.
- Ran test with 10 Bends, 8 Bends, and 6 Bends worked the best.

25. Performance Case Study example
Given all of the information provide thus far, another obvious benefit for the new reflector is reduced fuel consumption.
Using our heat-loss program we came up with this scenario.

26. PERFORMANCE Case Study
Building 200 x 400 = 800,000 sq. ft.
Eve 20 ft. Peak 25 ft.
Installed Height 19 ft.
Air Changes .5 per Hr.
Design Temp -3 F
Inside Temp 65 F
We took a building located in Buffalo NY that is 200’x 400’. The design temp is -3° F
Installed height is 19’ with 20’ eves, 25’ peak, and .5 air changes per hour.

27. PERFORMANCE Case Study
Total Heat Loss 1,880,190 Btu/h
Adjustment factors for Radiant Adjusted Heat Input (Btu/h)
CORAYVAC ,504,152
CORAYVAC High Eff. Reflector ,410,142
RG Compact ,598,161
After adding in all of the windows and doors the total heat-loss required is approx million BTU.
Now as many of you know ASHRAE recognizes that infrared can have a correction factor of .85 to .8 of the total heat-loss. We have been using .85 for unitary heaters and .80 for CRV for years.
As you can see in this example, the new reflector adds to the correction factor, .80 for unitary and .75 for CRV. That can result is less equipment or increased fuel savings. Lets see how this benefits the user….

28. PERFORMANCE Case Study
Heat Loss 1,880,190 Btu/h
Degree Days 6520
Design Temp. Rise 68 F
Fuel Use
CORAYVAC 2079 Therms
COMPACT 2390 Therms
Unit Heater 3558 Therms
Comparison
CORAYVAC vs Unit heater ~ 42% savings
CORAYVAC vs COMPACT ~ 22% savings
In this Fuel Usage comparison, we compared a CRV system with the old reflector vs. warm air unit heaters.
You can see the obvious benefits that CRV has over warm air heaters, using only 42% annually of the amount of fuel a warm air heater would have used (at $.40 per therm).
Using a CRV system with the new high efficiency reflector saves 22% annually over a unitary system (COMPACT) had the old reflector!

29. MORE benefits!
There are even more benefits to using the new reflector!

30. Finally as a mentioned a few slides ago, in some cases we can reduce the firing rate.
If you look at the chart showing the output to input of our current and high efficient reflector it is easy to see that with some units you can reduce by an entire firing rate.
The blue shows the percentage of BTU output achieved with the old reflector. The red shows the percentage gain with the new reflector.
Again you can see how this reflector unlocks the door to a better solution allowing customers to receive the benefit of higher end product at “original price”. 
Higher up the continuum product, modulation, better controls are all options now at the “original” price (depending on situation).

31. Q & A