High-Performance Keeps High Temperature
One of the most energy-intensive functions on a dairy farm is heating water, but this capability is directly linked to a dairy farm’s profitability. Since fluid milk is susceptible to bacterial contamination, more stringent health and sanitation standards apply to the production of milk used for fluid consumption (Grade A) than for milk used for butter, cheese, and other manufactured products (Grade B). For processing milk products, water must be 160-180°F to effectively clean the lines and remove all bacteria and milk fat buildup. The farm’s old traditional tank water heating system only delivered 140° for the first cycle and 120° after the second, so the resulting milk fat buildup meant the farm’s milk never made Grade A.
By replacing the tank with Rinnai’s SE+ Series RUC98 tankless water heaters, the George Family Farm now experiences high-performance water-heating for producing high-quality milk and dairy products. Each unit’s condensing design with two heat exchangers creates an enhanced heating value that keeps high temperature for long periods at 96% energy efficiency. After their installation, the RUC water heaters proved to be exactly the solution the dairy farm was looking for.
“When I visited the farm to monitor each RUC’s water cycle and performance, the owners couldn’t believe the units reached the required temperature and maintained it into the second cycle,” said Bill Westlake, Owner of Westlake Heating, Air Conditioning and Electrical. “They were truly blown away.”