When a First Co. Aquatherm® “Combo Heater” (air handler) is connected to an adequately sized natural gas, LP, or oil fired water heater, the water heater becomes a dual function appliance that can provide comfortable, efficient space heating as well as hot water for domestic use.
Aquatherm air handlers substantially reduce installations costs, heating costs, and increase the life of the water heater.
First installed in California in 1974, there are now over a million Combo systems in operation from Canada to Florida and in both single and multi-family applications.
Any water heater sized large enough to accomplish both functions (space and water heating) will work…no special water heater is needed! Water heaters used for space heating will generally require extra gallon capacity and higher BTUH input. (See “Equipment Sizing”)
Contact First Co. for a list of Aquatherm® installations in your area.
Problem | Gas heat costs more to install than electric systems. |
Solution | Combo Heaters can reduce gas installation costs by more than $250 (see note 1). |
Problem | In multi-family applications, gas furnaces take up more valuable floor space than electric systems. |
Solution | First Co. Aqua Therm® Combo Heaters can be used in any floor plan…and some models don’t take up any floor space! |
Problem | Gas furnaces require flue venting and combustion air. |
Solution | Combo Heaters don’t require furnace flue venting, combustion air, OR gas piping. |
The following sizing information should only be used as a basic guide to adequate water heater sizing because of variations in each family’s domestic hot water requirements. For additional assistance in water heater sizing contact a qualified professional engineer. Proper water heater sizing should consider both the gallon capacity AND the BTU input of the water heater.
To determine water heater GALLON CAPACITY: A minimum 40 gallon high recovery and/or high efficiency gas or oil-fired water heater is recommended. The following volume sizing guide is satisfactory in most areas of the country: