Project Overview

Seeley International is delighted to announce the release of the Braemar “Super-Six” ducted gas heater… redefining the paradigm for six star ducted gas heating. In 2012, Seeley International launched Braemar’s world first six star ducted gas heating range. Now, through its philosophy of continuous innovation and product enhancement, Braemar has created the ultimate in six star energy-efficiency.

For consumers, installing a “Super-Six” ducted gas heater means significant savings on running costs and CO2 emissions. When compared to a three star heater, a “Super-Six” will save approximately $463 per year in running costs and 1.6 tonnes of CO2 – which is equivalent to taking a small car off the road for a year!

Organisation

Seeley International

Team

The project team consisted of a team of five engineers managed by Mark de Koeyer and Paul Allwood, directed by the Executive Chairman and Founder of Seeley International, Frank Seeley AM FAICD. The engineers worked at Seeley International factory in Albury, NSW.

Project Brief

The key motivation for developing the world’s first “Super-Six” star ducted gas heating range was to significantly increase the energy-efficiency of the ducted gas heater, reducing the amount of gas used to heat and therefore reducing the impact on the environment. When less natural gas is used to heat, greenhouse gas emissions are also reduced. Considering that on the star rating chart, every additional star represents a 10 to 15 per cent drop in running costs, the new Braemar “Super-Six” star heating range offers a highly cost effective solution that is also kind on the environment, using 30% less energy than a three star ducted gas heater, 10% per cent less than a five star, and some 5% less than the 6 star models!

In terms of component design, as far as possible the design incorporated components that are already used in other Braemar gas ducted heaters, ensuring a high manufacturing and stock holding efficiency, and minimum wastage.

Project Need

The key features of the world’s first Braemar “Super-Six” star ducted gas heating range that distinguish it from all existing Australian ducted gas heating products are an electrically-modulated gas valve that operates at four discrete gas rates, the widest modulation range of any Australian ducted gas heater; a 24Vdc combustion fan motor that operates at four speeds to suit the four gas rates; and a unique modulating control board (MCB) that facilitates the four stage control of the gas valve and combustion fan.
Braemar ducted gas heating offers two zoning options: standard zoning and Spectrolink Multizone zoning, which allows you to have different temperatures, and different user-programmed automatic operating times, in four independent zones.
All Braemar heaters also feature the InShot Burner™, combustion inducer fan, electronic ignition, Home/Away setting, heat exchanger, multi-level safety controls as standard and flexible installation.
These features mean that overall; the heater can operate much more efficiently over a wider range of heat load conditions and therefore achieve the highest star rating currently on the market for ducted gas heating.

Design Challenge

The engineering team faced many challenges including the design and optimisation of the control system to achieve the correct balance of gas input, combustion air flow and burner stability to achieve optimum efficiency over a much wider modulating range than other ducted gas heaters on the market. These challenges were overcome through many months of design, testing re-design and re-testing.

Seeley International fosters a culture of continuous innovation. In 2003, Braemar launched a five star energy-efficient heater. In 2008, Braemar saw an opportunity to significantly improve the ease of installation of ducted gas heaters, developing a more compact three and four star range. In 2009, the energy efficiency of Braemar’s ducted gas heating range hit 5.6 stars and in 2012, Braemar launched world’s first six star ducted gas heating range. In April 2013, the Braemar “Super-Six” – the world's most energy-efficient ducted gas heater was launched.

Seeley International has a strong focus on R&D, investing 5% of its revenue in R&D annually. This ensures it meets its corporate vision – “to lead the world in creating climate control solutions which continue to be highly innovative, of premium quality and inspirational in their delivery of energy-efficiency”.

Sustainability

Natural gas is a responsible choice for home heating needs. It's kinder to the environment, as it produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions than most other forms of heating.

The new “Super-Six” six star ducted gas heater is the highest star rating heater on the market. Ratings measure what percentage of gas used in the heating process is converted into heat. The higher the rating, the closer to 100% of the gas is being converted into heat.

The minimum thermal efficiency standard specified in AS4556 is 70%. The Braemar “Super-Six” series ducted gas heaters operate at a thermal efficiency of around 93%.

Unfortunately, for ducted gas heaters, the standard star rating system has a minimum of 1 star and a maximum of 6, shown in half star increments. The Energy Labeling calculations in the Ducted Gas Heater Standard (AS4556) require that actual results be rounded down to limit the maximum “official” efficiency rating result to 6.0 stars. We are, therefore, allowed to display only 6 stars on the rating label for the Braemar "Super-Six" ducted gas heater.