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Hydronic systems are rigorous and have strict flow measurement requirements that commercial and industrial facilities must meet. Flow meters measure the energy within a closed energy loop where a source receives the liquid, heats or cools it and then supplies it to a load that needs heating or cooling.
Installing an efficient hydronic system is a critical step, but flow instrumentation meters are essential to maintain long-term accuracy, reliability and repeatability within the chiller, chilled water system, thermal energy tank system, boiler, cooling tower, pump and other asset operations.
Accurate flow data helps identify leaks, evaporation, and inefficiencies across chilled and hot water applications. Early detection prevents water waste, corrosion risk, and unplanned downtime, contributing to system longevity and sustainability goals.
Flow meters help minimize unnecessary energy and water usage by ensuring the system operates only when needed. With accurate measurements of thermal energy transfer and water consumption, facilities can reduce utility costs and manage seasonal demand more effectively.
Flow and energy metering upgrades can turn traditional buildings into high-performance environments. Real-time BTU data enhances Air Handling Unit (AHU) control strategies, supports system-wide balancing, and helps meet evolving occupant comfort and energy goals.
Continuous monitoring of flow and temperature in boiler feed, condenser water, and distribution lines helps detect performance issues early. This proactive approach reduces the risk of critical failures and supports long-term equipment health.
Read about real-world applications and expert insights on the future of water management.
Cooling towers are critical pieces of equipment in HVAC applications because they help optimize system performance and prevent malfunctions. Find out why facilities managers implement flow meters within cooling tower blowdown applications to maintain proper design flow.
As healthcare facilities navigate global health concerns, they must focus on the role hydronic-based heating and cooling plays in the comfort and safety of patients and staff. A New York City hospital optimized the performance of its hydronic system through the installation of ultrasonic clamp-on flow meters.
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Customer Care representatives are available by phone Monday–Friday, from 9am–5pm CST.
Badger Meter is an industry-leading innovator in flow measurement, water quality and control products, serving water utilities, municipalities and commercial and industrial customers worldwide.
Commercial buildings that require a significant amount of cooling often use water chillers because they are effective and affordable. Chilled water applications involve the measurement of flow for chilled water and supply/return temperature, staging of chillers and BTU metering/sub-metering. Flow meters help enhance system efficiency, limit how frequently the system runs and lower operating costs.
Glycol/Hot water applications involve the measurement of the temperature difference of the heat exchange liquid (water and/or glycol) on heating system supply and return pipes, as well as the flow of the heat exchange liquid to calculate the amount of thermal energy used.
Condensate return and boiler feed applications are vital to boiler system operation, ensuring efficiency, productivity, and reliability. Proper water treatment controls alkalinity, prevents scaling, corrects pH, and manages conductivity to protect the system. Accurate flow meters play a crucial role in monitoring supply water quality, removing low-quality water, and measuring boiler feed and blowdown flow volumetrically. Returning condensate minimizes the need for make-up water and reduces the temperature increase required for feed water, enhancing overall boiler efficiency. Flow measurement is critical in maintaining water quality and system performance across these applications.
Cooling tower blowdown is a critical process that maintains chiller, air conditioner and other equipment operation by regulating system temperature. Chief engineers, facilities managers and other individuals install flow meters on make-up and blowdown lines to monitor water use, protect equipment against insufficient cooling and reduce water waste to receive water credits from the municipality.
Make-up water applications are critical to the function of hydronic systems. During this process, fresh or potable water is added to the system to offset water that is lost by blowdown, evaporation, steam, draw-off or another withdrawal process. Our solutions help provide accurate flow measurements, so facilities managers can calculate rates to determine water consumption.
Condenser water systems work in tandem with chilled water systems to remove heat energy from a building or process. Because condenser water systems often include a water-side economizer—or a variable-flow-primary chilled and heating water system—measuring these fluctuating flow rates is important to ensure proper operation of the HVAC equipment.
Accuracy is vital in cost allocation and sub-metering applications, particularly in hydronic systems where flow meters monitor water usage around the clock, relay data to management systems, and enable facilities managers to bill tenants based on actual usage. In cost allocation, total water consumption is tracked and divided by units or other guidelines. Flow meters also help identify system inefficiencies, usage spikes, or abnormalities for improvement.
