Why System Designer by Systemwize™?

Systemwize is a productivity tool, making it faster and easier to create a hydronic system design by creating a starting point for you leveraging industry best practices. This initial design may not be optimal for every individual scenario but is designed to provide an easy budgetary quotation and can be easily modified to meet the needs of your specific project. Designer also makes it easy for you to engage your local B&G resp for assistance. Beyond being quick and easy, it will also provide a dynamic REVIT file for the system to give the designer a great starting point saving time and money.

What is used to create the system?

We use heating & cooling loads, building height, mechanical room location, and desired piping configurations as inputs and then utilize our Systemwize software as well as industry best practices to make the best initial equipment selections. All that’s needed from you is the answer to those 4 questions!

What are the design limits of System Designer?

The tool is aimed at 2000 Ton chiller plants and below and, 20,000 MBH heating load with a maximum of 150’ building height. These systems are based on 125psi max systems. If you need larger pressures please select optimize my system for additional design help

What is used to convert heating & cooling loads to GPM/ft of head?

For cooling loads we assume a 12⁰F ΔT, and 2.0 GPM per ton on for chillers. If a cooling tower is being used, we apply a 3.0 GPM per cooling tower CTI ton.

For heating loads, we assume a 30⁰F ΔT and then utilize

For ft of head, we used 60’ on the cooling distribution side, 30’ for equipment room head, 60’ for cooling towers, 20’ for the boiler on the primary sides, and 45’ for the boiler secondary side.

How are pumps sized?

Based on the flow calculated from the cooling loads, Systemwize will make the optimal selections from VSX’s, and e-1510’s for chiller pumps, condenser pumps, and chilled water distribution based on the highest Part Load Efficiency Value (PLEV). For heating load calculated flows, Systemwize will choose the optimal selection from ecocirc XL’s, e-80’s, and e-1510’s for the boiler primary pump, and the boiler secondary distribution side again based on the highest PLEV.

How do you size the tank?

We size the tank by looking at the mechanical room location that you’ve selected. For mechanical rooms at the top of the building, we use 4Psi fill pressure and add

For chilled water we use 8 gallons per ton of cooling, and for hot water we use 2.67 gallons per 10,000BTU. For chilled water tanks we utilize an inlet temperature of 40*F and a maximum temperature of 90*F. Hot water tanks are calculated using 40*F inlet temperature and a maximum of 200*F.

How do you size pipes?

Pipe sizing is based on the Bell & Gossett Systemsyzer. We consider GPM, Velocity and pump selection to determine which pipe size to recommend. The below chart provides how the piping is selected

Why are you pumping into the boiler?

Based on the boiler you are using; you may want to pump away from the boiler. However, from our experience we see more applications & boilers where pumping into the boiler is the preferred method for good system design. Systemwize makes it easy for you to modify the initial design to meet your specific design needs

What can I do if the system does not fit my need?

You can save your work and optimize your designed system on your own or leverage the expertise of your local B&G representative via the Optimize My System button in System Designer. The B&G representative will assist you in getting your design perfect for your specific application and installation. System Designer provides status updates and messaging features to stay in touch and on top of any latest updates to your system as well as visibility to who is assigned to help you.

Which piping configuration is best?

Piping configuration should be determined by your preference and need. If you are unsure, you can pick any and contact your local B&G representative through System Designer’s optimize system functionality. Please note, we recommend dedicated pumping as the standard configuration since header pumping will require a more complex control system, as well as a control valve and flow meter to meet ASHRAE standards of being able to fully eliminate flow through a boiler or chiller.

What units & frequency are my selections made in?

Our Systemwize tool will make selections based on either 50Hz or 60Hz, and metric or imperial units, based on your personal set preferences in your account.