Bristol Green HVAC/Water Heater Reference Information
This information is here for reference only, and does not serve as official endorsements of Bristol Green Condominium, its Board, or FirstService Residential.
Residents are encouraged to reach out to contractors to obtain additional information.
Our heating and cooling systems are unique and are always the source of many questions. Please read the following information as it will save you time, aggravation, money, and will help you to avoid damage to your unit and others!
NEW MANDATORY RULE: 10-Year Water Heater Replacement & Maintenance
All tanked water heaters in Bristol Green must be replaced every 10 years from their original installation date.
If the installation date cannot be explicitly proven via an invoice or permit, the 10-year replacement timeline will be strictly based on the tank's manufactured date printed on the unit's serial number label.
Additionally, as part of this rule, unit owners are required to provide standard annual maintenance on all tanked systems to ensure safe and efficient operation. This includes an inspection of the tank and all related plumbing connected to the tank, as well as a flushing of tank.
Critical Things You Need to Know
Fire Sprinklers: Many plumbers and HVAC techs have set off fire sprinkler heads while soldering pipes or servicing exhaust flues. If you are having any work performed in your water heater or air handler closet, call FirstService as far in advance as possible so that the sprinkler system can be placed in test mode.
Draining the Tank: DO NOT use the overflow pipes in your water heater closet to drain your tank! Use a garden hose, and drain the tank outside to ground level. The overflow pipes are connected to condensate drain lines and cannot handle 50 gallons of water flow. Ignoring this risks flooding the units below you.
The Basics
- Our units do not have the floor space or exhaust lines for a gas furnace, so our water heaters not only provide hot water, but they also provide hot water to heat our units.
- Our heat is provided by an "hydronic air handler" inside the unit. This is the large metal box inside your unit behind the louvered door.
- Water is drawn from the water heater with a small pump through a small metal heat exchanger which warms up. Cool air from inside passes over it, warming the inside air, and the cooler water is returned to the tank for reheating (a recirculating loop).
- We do NOT use standard residential water heaters; ours have special side taps labeled for "space heating" and larger burners to accommodate faster heating.
- Modern energy efficient "tankless" water heaters are compatible with our heating systems, if installed properly.
- A "mixing valve" is installed on the hot water output to mix in cold water to avoid scalding.
- Our air conditioning is fairly standard, except the outside condensing unit is a "through-the-wall" model.
- Consider installing a programmable thermostat in your unit to save money.
The Water Heater & Energy Standard Updates
Due to changing US Department of Energy (DOE) efficiency standards taking effect in 2029, and Maryland's ongoing push toward building electrification, standard non-condensing gas water heaters are being phased out of production and sale. Residents replacing their units are strongly encouraged to upgrade to modern, high-efficiency Tankless Water Heaters.
- If you have an "Apollo" brand water heater, you likely have the original unit, and it should be replaced ASAP before it fails and causes water damage.
- If you have inadequate hot water, you may need to turn up the temperature on your water heater or adjust the mixing valve (between 120 and 140 degrees).
Tankless Water Heater Info (Highly Recommended):
- Heat water on demand ONLY (no holding tank). Requires an electric baseboard heater in your closet to prevent freezing pipes in winter.
- Requires electricity to operate; consider a small power backup (UPS).
- Rinnai and Rheem are leaders in this technology. Consider purchasing a matching air handler.
- Click HERE to see an article on tankless space heating.
Legacy Replacement Tank Specs (If retaining a tanked model):
- Natural gas
- Direct vent models (required for confined closed space)
- 50,000 BTU rating (for sufficient recovery during heating season)
- 50 gallon capacity
- Separate side taps for space heating recirculating loop
- Examples: Bradford White DH1-504T6BN, AO Smith GDVT-50L
The Air Handler & Air Conditioner
- Hydronic air handlers and AC condensers typically last around 20 years.
- Original Apollo air handlers are no longer manufactured. A replacement is the First Company 30HBQB.
- The original AC condensing unit was made by National Comfort Products. A replacement is the First Company (Carrier) model 24WCX-AB, or equivalent.
- Replacing your AC and air handler together saves labor costs and ensures efficiency.
- New hydronic air handlers are at least 10-15% more efficient than the 1994-95 originals.
Water Shut-Offs
Each unit has an individual shut-off valve. It is blue or black in color, round, and is the closest valve to the wall in your outside water heater closet. Turn to the right until tight to turn off your water supply.
If you have a first floor unit, your closet also has a special valve on the wall called a "riser valve" which will turn off the water to your unit, and the two above you. Turn this clockwise until tight.
For shutting off an entire building, please contact FirstService.