Through superior design, the Phoenix Aquadry MD10 can dry larger areas than competing units. The MD10’s key advantage is in its system setup. By recirculating at least two-thirds of the airflow and associated BTUs, and using up to one-third outside air, the MD10 heats structures very quickly and evenly, while using far less fuel than competing units. The result of this quick and even heat distribution is that even large structures are brought up to temperature quickly, maximizing the speed of evaporation while minimizing the possibility of secondary damage often associated with cold spots and pressurization.

In real-world drying jobs, having the highest system efficiency means drying the largest area with a given amount of fuel, or alternately, drying a given area with the least amount of fuel. Burner efficiency, the figure cited by most heat competitors, is only a small component of system efficiency. The two should never be confused.

Consider a direct-fired heat system, for example. Though their burner efficiencies are often advertised as high as 95% (compared to the Phoenix Aquadry’s 85%), their system efficiency is less than one-tenth that of the Phoenix Aquadry MD-10. The primary driver is their requirement to always use 100% outside air throughout the job.

For example, consider doing a large job on a 30°F day where the target drying temperature is 120°F. A direct-fired system blowing 5000 CFM of outside air will require over 500,000 BTUs continuously, just to bring the outside air up to the target temperature. Add to that the sizable duct losses on a cold day, uneven heating, and exfiltration, and it’s easy to understand why competing direct-fired units need to have 1 million BTUs to dry a sizable structure. Simply put, a direct fired heater isn’t just heating the structure; it’s trying to heat the whole neighborhood! As a result, typical fuel burn in these conditions would exceed 10 gallons of propane per hour to maintain 120°F in the structure.

In contrast, the Phoenix Aquadry MD10 can bring in 0 to 900 CFM of outside air, depending on its setup on a particular job. Even at the high end, this amounts to only 100,000 BTUs used to bring outside air up to target temperature. The rest of the heat is used strictly for recirculation, maximizing your evaporation rate while minimizing fuel burn. At maximum output, the Phoenix Aquadry MD10 burns only 2.4 gallons per hour. Once the structure is up to temperature, this will drop to less than 1 gallon per hour.

 

The first step in landing a big restoration job is getting there. Most competing systems burn propane, which is becoming more and more difficult to transport. Many large cities, such as New York, Boston, and Washington D.C., do not allow liquid propane to be transported unless specifically licensed and authorized to do so. Similarly, propane can no longer be legally transported through tunnels or over many bridges. In large, widespread storm zones, finding propane or obtaining refills for your equipment can be impossible. As a result, the number of restoration jobs that can be done with propane fired heat systems is declining quickly. With its diesel burner and 140 gallon onboard tank, the Phoenix Aquadry MD10 can be transported virtually anywhere and has enough onboard fuel to finish all but the biggest and most difficult drying jobs. Even if refueling is necessary, the restorer can use a portable tank and transport pump to refuel rather than relying on an expensive fueling service.

Assuming you can get to your job and have access to enough fuel to dry it, you need the flexibility to adapt to as many job sizes and setups as possible. Glycol lines can be run much farther than flex duct (up to 300 feet vs. 25 to 50 feet), giving you access to many jobs that are physically unreachable with competing systems. Multiple fan coils allow you to not only scale your equipment to the job size, but also help you ensure that heat is dispersed evenly and effectively throughout the structure. This is particularly important in areas that have multiple rooms, where a central fan leaves wet spots in any area outside the airflow path.

 

Like all Phoenix equipment, safety was a primary concern in the design and manufacturing of the Aquadry MD10. Unlike direct-fired competitors, the MD10 completely isolates flue byproducts from the heat source, rather than blowing them into the structure. As a result, combustion byproducts such as carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide are safely vented out a chimney 50 feet (or more) from the structure instead of blown into your customers’ homes.

Unlike competing hydronic equipment, the MD10 uses a low pressure, open glycol system that was specifically designed for the restoration market. The system has been certified to stringent safety standards, meeting UL, CSA, and TUV certifications.

Capacity, efficiency, flexibility, and safety add up to a better return on your investment. The Phoenix Aquadry MD10 can dry more with less fuel, in more situations, maximizing the number of restoration jobs you can do and the profitability on each job.

These characteristics are also useful outside restoration. Unlike competing systems, the Phoenix Aquadry MD10 can be used to provide temporary heat for construction projects, events, concrete curing, and ground thaw. By expanding your reach, particularly outside the typical “restoration season,” you can boost your equipment utilization and expand your revenue opportunities dramatically.