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C O M B O H E AT E R SGas Heat . . . without aGas Furnace !FIRST LTD. - P.O. BOX 270969 - DALLAS, TEXAS 75227 - Ph. (214) 388-5751 - Fax (214) 388-2255 - www.firstco.com

Aqua Therm Combo Heaters!Now you can choose comfortable, efficient gas heat.without paying a premium or compromising valuable floor space!Sequence of Operation (heating mode):Combo Heaters ProvideSolutions, Not Problems!When space heating is needed, the wall thermostatenergizes a small pump which circulates hot water fromthe water heater to the hot water coil in the ComboHeater. As the fan motor forces cool return air from thehome over the hot water coil, the air absorbs heat fromthe hot water and this warm air (105 to 110 degrees) isthen circulated throughout the duct system and into thehome. While circulating through the Combo Heater coil,the hot water loses only 15 to 25 degrees in temperatureand then returns to the water heater to be re-heated.Problem:Gas heat costs more to install than electric systems.Solution:Combo Heaters reduce the installation cost of gas bymore than 250 (1)(1)“Why Build with Gas Heat in Multi-FamilyConstruction” - Gas Research Institute (GRI)Problem:Gas furnaces require flue venting and combustion air.Solution:Combo Heaters don’t require furnace flue venting, combustion air, OR gas piping!Problem:In multi-family applications, gas furnaces take up morevaluable floor space than electric systems.Solution:First Ltd. AquaTherm Combo Heaters can be used in anyfloor plan.and some models don’t take up any floorspace!When a First Ltd. Aqua Therm “Combo Heater” (airhandler) is connected to an adequately sized natural gas,LP, or oil fired water heater, the water heater becomes adual function appliance that can provide comfortable,efficient space heating as well as hot water for domesticuse. And it doesn’t matter where you live!First installed in California in 1974, there are now over amillion Combo systems in operation from Canada toFlorida and in both single and multi-family applications.Water Heater RequirementAny water heater sized large enough to accomplish bothfunctions (space and water heating) will work.no specialwater heater is needed! Water heaters used for spaceheating will generally require extra gallon capacity andhigher BTUH input. (See “Equipment Sizing”, next page)-2-

Benefits:High Efficiencyon the outdoor unit. To ensure compatibility and to obtain efficiencyinformation, contact your local distributor or First Ltd.The recovery efficiency of today’s natural gas water heaters rangesfrom 76 to 94%. As a general rule of thumb, the space heating efficiency of any water heater can be approximated by adding severalpercentage points to the water heater’s recovery efficiency. The efficiency gained by these systems comes from the fact that:Consistant, Comfortable HeatAs long as hot water is available, Combo Heaters will provide warm airno matter what the temperature is outside. Homeowners report beingmuch more comfortable with hydronic heat than with other space heating systems, such as heat pumps.1. Eliminating the gas furnace saves the energy that would normallybe lost due to the furnace vent, gas pilot, and furnace cabinet.2. Laboratory and field tests have proven that water heater standbylosses are reduced when the water heater is operated more frequently.Longer Water Heater Tank LifeBy circulating water through the water heater more frequently, sedimentbuild-up is reduced, corrosion is minimized, and the life of the waterheater tank is extended.Low MaintenanceCombo Heaters are simple and uncomplicated compared to heat pumpsand high efficiency gas furnaces. The heating system has only fivemoving parts!FlexibilityFirst Co. offers fifteen models of Aqua Therm Combo Heaters. Modelsare available to recess in a wall, install above the ceiling, in a closet, orin an attic. You can choose models for heating only or with cooling coilsup to five tons. There’s even a heating coil to add to your existing airhandling unit.Compatible Cooling CoilsCooling coils installed in First Ltd. Combo Heaters are completely compatible with major brands of condensing units. Two models (MBQ andMBX-HW Series) obtain efficiencies exceeding 12 SEER, dependingEquipment SizingTechnical Specifications:tion are available upon request from First Ltd.Air Handlers1. Air Handler Selection:Select an air handler with a heating output that exceeds the spaceheating loss of the structure and that has a cooling coil sized tomatch the outdoor condensing unit. Special note.the heating output of the air handler or hot water coil will not be greater than theoutput of the selected hot water heater. Therefore, if the waterheater is undersized the heating BTUH of the air handler will beLESS than it’s rated output.2. Water Heater Selection:The following sizing information should only be used as a basicguide to adequate water heater sizing because of variations in eachfamily’s domestic hot water requirements. For additional assistancein water heater sizing contact a qualified professional engineer.Proper water heater sizing should consider both the gallon capacityAND the BTU input of the water heater.a. To determine water heater GALLON CAPACITY:A minimum 40 gallon high recovery and/or high efficiency gasor oil-fired water heater is recommended. The following volume sizing guide is satisfactory in most areas of the country:600-800 CFM air handlers - Minimum 40 gallon water heater1000-1200 CFM air handlers - Minimum 50 gallon water heater1400-1600 CFM air handlers - Either two 40 gallon water heaterspiped together, one high input 50 gallon (63,000 to 75,000 BTU input),or one 72 to 75 gallon.2000 CFM air handler - Any combination of water heaters having atleast 105,000 BTU OUTPUT.b. To determine water heater BTU INPUT: (Assumes a water heaterrecovery efficiency of 76%)For mild climates - BTU INPUT structure’s heat loss x 1.51For colder climates - BTU INPUT structure’s heat loss x 1.583. Condensing unit:Selection of the condensing unit size should be determined by the“Manual J” method or other approved heat load/heat gain calculation procedure. Certified cooling capacities and efficiency informa-All “Q” type air handlers come with factory installed circulating pump,hot water check valve, and purge valve.Water PipingWater piping between the water heater and air handler should be 3/4”(1” on 60 MBQ/MBXR-HW) nominal copper or other code approvedmaterial.When installed in an area subjected to freezing temperatures, the waterpiping should be completely insulated and a “freeze protector” shouldbe installed on the hot water coil (contact factory).To prevent air lock of the circulating pump, the piping connections toand from the air handler MUST come from the horizontal connections ofthe “T” fittings in the vertical hot and cold water supply lines at the waterheater (see diagram on page 2).Maximum distance between the water heater and air handler shouldnot exceed 100 feet (one way).ThermostatsAll “Q” type air handlers (except HBC-HWQ) and MBXR Series air handlers are compatible with any standard 24 volt thermostat. All other airhandlers (including HBC-HWQ) will ONLY operate properly with a 24volt thermostat having positive heat and cool fan cycle control. This iscommonly called an “electric heat” type thermostat.Additional Literature Available (Contact First Ltd.)1. Catalog #ATSS - Feature and cost-of-operation comparison withother systems.2. Catalog #AQPRES - Aqua Therm presentation booklet.3. Catalog #IAM - Installation manual.4. Individual Specification Sheets for each air handler series (order byair handler series #).-3-

VAQ Series UpflowFeatures:1.2.3.4.5.6.7.Installed circulatingpump and easy accesscheck valve.Large air purge valve.Copper tube/aluminum finheating and cooling coils.Piston type metering oncooling coils.Factory installed filter.Primary and secondary drainconnections.Flue gas safety switch.ModelHeatingBTUH (1)Nom. Clg.(Tons)Dimensions(H-W-D)18VAQ - 327,6001.540” X 14” X 20”24VAQ - 330,0001.5 , 2.040” X 14” X 20”30VAQ - 341,5002.0 , 2.542” X 20” X 20”36VAQ - 343,2002.5 , 3.042” X 20” X 20”Notes:1. BTUH capacities are based on 140 EWT, 70 EAT.2. Accessories: (Field installed)1. Horizontal Drain Pans (Air flow right to left)#935-1 fits 24 through 36VAQ.2. Freeze Protector - #941-1 brings on pump below 38 .EASY ACCESSCHECK VALVEMBQB Series Four Way Air HandlerUpflow / Downflow / Horizontal - Left / Horizontal - RightHIGHEST COOLING EFFICIENCY!Features:ModelHeatingBTUH (1)Nom. Clg.(Tons)Dimensions(H-W-D)1.540” X 20” X 20”In addition to all of the aboveVAQ features, the MBQB Serieshas:18MBQB - 226,60018MBQB - 333,9001.24MBQB - 335,3002.040” X 20” X 20”30MBQB - 343,6002.542” X 20’ X 23”36MBQB - 349,5003.042” X 20” X 23”48MBQB - 468,8003.5 - 4.048” X 21-1/4” X 28”60MBQB - 491,0005.052” X 25-1/4” X 28”2.Multi-function microprocessor with pump timer,blower delays, and compressor short cycle timer.Extra large high efficiencycooling coil for propermatching with today’s higherefficiency condensing units.3.Field installable expansionvalve kits for more efficientcooling performance.4.Factory installed convertible horizontal drain pan(right-to-left or left-to-right airflow).5.Slide out hot water coilassembly for easier service.Notes:1. BTUH capacities are based on 140 EWT, 70 EAT.2. Accessories: (Field installed)1. Expansion valve kits - (Contact factory for Kit #’s).2. Freeze Protector - #941-1 brings on pump below 38 .3. Downflow conversion kits - (Note: Downflow not recommended when air handler is installed above a finishedceiling). (Not available for 60MBQB)Kit #919-11 - For 18 - 24MBQBKit #919-12 - For 30 - 36MBQBKit #919-13 - For 48MBQB-4-

RAQ Series Wall or Closet Vertical Air HandlerNOW WITH EASY-TO-SERVICE CHECK VALVE!Features:1.Installed circulating pump and easyaccess check valve.2.Large air purge valve.3.Flue gas safety switch.4.Piston type metering on cooling coil.5.Copper tube/aluminum fin heating andcooling coils.6.Optional wall panel for recessed wallmounting.7.Factory installed filter.8.Primary and secondary drain connections.9.Completely serviceable from the front.ModelHeatingBTUH (1)Nom. Clg.(Tons)Dimensions(H-W-D)18RAQ - 326,0001.539-1/4" X 20-1/8" X 16-1/8"19RAQ - 326,0001.541-5/8" X 22-1/8" X 18-1/8"24RAQ - 223,6001.5 , 2.039-1/4" X 20-1/8" X 16-1/8"24RAQ - 329,0001.5 , 2.039-1/4" X 20-1/8" X 16-1/8"25RAQ - 329,0002.041-5/8" X 22-1/8" X 18-1/8"30RAQ - 343,0002.0 , 2.544-1/4" X 24-1/8" X 21-1/8"31RAQ - 343,0002.544-1/4" X 24-1/8" X 21-1/8"36RAQ - 345,0002.5 , 3.044-1/4" X 24-1/8" X 21-1/8"37RAQ - 345,0003.048-1/4" X 24-1/8" X 21-1/8"Wall Panels (Required for recessed wall mounting).1.2.3.4.#961 - Fits 18 / 24RAQ#962 - Fits 30 / 31 / 36RAQ#959 - Fits 19 / 25RAQ#957 - Fits 37RAQHanger Bracket - attaches to inside closet for air handler hanging - #919-2.(Not required for wall mounting).EASY ACCESSCHECK VALVE-5-