AERCO International, Inc. is a leading company in high-efficiency boilers and domestic water heaters. In this interview, Neil J. Pilaar, VP Sales, provides insights into the Heating sector and shares AERCO’s goals on the changing market demands.

How has Aerco evolved since its creation in 1949? How has it been achieving its goals? 

When created in 1949, AERCO was focused exclusively in the indirect water heating segment of the commercial market. In 1987 the company introduced a gas-fired unit, the KC1000 water heater. Not only was this a departure from indirect to gas-fired technology, but the product was a condensing style unit with exceptional modulation. It set the stage for “high-efficiency” commercial equipment in the US.  Within 2 years, the KC1000 line was expanded to include a high-efficiency boiler.  From that time on, AERCO has led the US market in the design, manufacturer and sale of condensing boilers with unmatched modulation/turndown. 

Being the originator of semi-instantaneous water heating, what are the innovations that Aerco is planning to introduce in a near future? What are your current projects? 

In a return to our roots, in June of 2009, AERCO introduced the SmartPlate line of tankless, water-to-water heaters. Ideal for use with condensing boilers in low temperature applications, AERCO’s SmartPlate heaters satisfy commercial DHW needs without storage. These units are all packaged with a PID temperature controller, load monitoring system and electronic control valve.

Is there a specific application of the company’s products you think best represent Aerco’s contribution to the heating and ventilation sector? Can you give us some details? 

AERCO’s contribution to high efficiency heating in the US is best represented today by Modular boiler plants which employ multiple, condensing and modulating boilers with operations coordinated using a multiple unit controller to maximize efficiency.

AERCO was the first manufacturer to introduce a condensing, fully-modulating, commercial boiler in the US.  We were also first to publish part-load efficiency curves under realistic operating conditions.  Importantly, this comprehensive operating data clearly depicts the inverse efficiency profile of our equipment – the lower the load and boiler firing rate, the higher the operating efficiency of the equipment.  To fully leverage this phenomenon, AERCO designed a multiple-unit boiler controller – the BMS – which was designed to maximize the operating efficiency of the overall heating plant. 

While the application noted above ties together AERCO’s achievements with high efficiency boilers & advanced controls strategies – it isn’t the only contribution we have made to high-efficiency heating in the US.   Our sales representatives would argue that during the 80’s and 90’s (as one of the few condensing/modulating products around), AERCO was instrumental in re-educating HVAC system designers to effectively leverage this new breed of equipment. 

The company also supplies some services, such as training. What does Aerco offer and what has been the feedback from the industry so far?

Essentially, AERCO offers two distinct types of training.  One – geared to high-efficiency system design – is intended for consulting engineers and/or facility-based engineers planning projects that seek a stronger understanding of AERCO; and other focused on condensing, modulating boilers and how to design systems that will maximize the operating efficiency of this equipment. AERCO also offers technical training geared towards maintenance of specific AERCO products.  

Since 1949 Aerco has been a leading supplier of boilers and water heating products. In your opinion, how will the global heating market evolve?

As far as the US is concerned, there is strong growth in the high-efficiency segment of the market vs. conventional boiler technologies.  On a global basis (and in the US), there will be continued emphasis on geothermal, solar heating and renewables. 

In view of this, can you tell us about Aerco’s plans and priorities for the future?

AERCO will continue in its path of offering only high-efficiency products.  In addition to expanding our presence in the domestic water heating side of the business, we also hope to offer integrated system solutions which incorporate multiple types of technologies (i.e. renewable/solar energy sources).  

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