redsky49
Well-known member
Someone asked in another thread for suggestions for US manufacturers of heating equipment. While I don't have experience with every vendor, I do feel confidant suggesting the following:
Electric Unit Heaters
Berko
Brasch
Chromalox/Q-Mark
Enviro-Tec (ETI)
Hastings
Markel
Modine
Redd-I
Brasch would be my first choice due to the wide variety of sizes and the extent of accessories and options such as step-down transformers for low voltage thermostats, a variety of contactors, etc.
Gas Unit Heaters
Hastings
Modine
Reznor
Sterling
Here I would look at Reznor first. These manufacturers also provide oil-fired equipment for those who have fuel oil available.
Electric Baseboard
American Stabilis
Chromalox
Runtal
Among these guys, Stabilis has the heaviest gauge sheetmetal cover, but Runtal has great high end residential products.
All of the above manufacturers are commercial quality and may be overpriced for many of you. For demanding applications though they will be far better choices than some of the items found in the big box stores, or on-line vendors. Compared to the "no name" imports, you will also find much better technical support, both for before and after the sale.
As far as I know, these are all (aside from Runtal) American made items, though likely some components are sourced overseas. I am not against foreign manufactured equipment, in fact I recommend Mitsubishi and Sanyo ductless split system over Fedders and Carrier for instance, but think that we would all be wise to at least consider US sourced equipment when comparable or better quality is available locally. Just something to consider.
As always, offered only as opinion
Electric Unit Heaters
Berko
Brasch
Chromalox/Q-Mark
Enviro-Tec (ETI)
Hastings
Markel
Modine
Redd-I
Brasch would be my first choice due to the wide variety of sizes and the extent of accessories and options such as step-down transformers for low voltage thermostats, a variety of contactors, etc.
Gas Unit Heaters
Hastings
Modine
Reznor
Sterling
Here I would look at Reznor first. These manufacturers also provide oil-fired equipment for those who have fuel oil available.
Electric Baseboard
American Stabilis
Chromalox
Runtal
Among these guys, Stabilis has the heaviest gauge sheetmetal cover, but Runtal has great high end residential products.
All of the above manufacturers are commercial quality and may be overpriced for many of you. For demanding applications though they will be far better choices than some of the items found in the big box stores, or on-line vendors. Compared to the "no name" imports, you will also find much better technical support, both for before and after the sale.
As far as I know, these are all (aside from Runtal) American made items, though likely some components are sourced overseas. I am not against foreign manufactured equipment, in fact I recommend Mitsubishi and Sanyo ductless split system over Fedders and Carrier for instance, but think that we would all be wise to at least consider US sourced equipment when comparable or better quality is available locally. Just something to consider.
As always, offered only as opinion