History
Cambridge Celebrates 45th Year of Direct Gas-Fired Space Heating
Since 1963, Cambridge Engineering has been the Performance Leader in Industrial Space Heating and Make-Up Air. Being the best at reducing operating costs and improving indoor air quality has made Cambridge technologies very popular, heating over one billion square feet in recent years.
The History of Cambridge Direct Gas-Fired Heater Technology
1960's - Cambridge pioneered the concept of using energy efficient direct gas-fired air heaters for industrial space heating and air curtain applications. Previously, only indirect gas-fired heaters had been used. The first Cambridge product was called a Thermal Curtain. This direct gas-fired, high velocity air curtain was mounted over loading dock doors in factories and soon evolved into a combination air curtain, make-up air and space heater. One efficient system with three important heating/ventilating benefits.1970's - Cambridge developed the first blow-thru type burner specifically engineered for industrial space heating applications. It permitted a more compact heater package and solved the problem of keeping the blower motor and other internal components cool for longer service life. Energy shortages during the 1970's created a real need for energy efficient direct gas-fired heaters. However, lack of a certification standard for this equipment made it hard for engineers to know when and how to safely use it.
1980's - Cambridge initiated a new American National Standard Institute (ANSI) standard for direct gas-fired air heaters making the use of this equipment widely acceptable. Higher gas prices made energy efficiency more important. Conventional low temperature rise make-up air heaters were not very efficient because they added too much air to the building. Cambridge developed a new high performance burner that could safely and cleanly provide up to a 160°F temperature rise/discharge air temperature. This was a major industry development because Cambridge heaters now provided maximum BTU output with the high efficiency of direct gas-fired burning (no flue losses), while using a minimum of outside air (30% to 50% less blower air). This high temperature design also eliminated the need for recirculating (80/20) type heaters that re-heat potentially contaminated air and have higher operating costs.
1990's - Non-recirculating, energy efficient Cambridge heaters helped fight rising utility costs and problems with indoor air quality. Cambridge completed a major plant expansion after surviving the St. Louis flood of 1993. The new S-Series Space Heater and M-Series Make-Up Air Heater product lines were introduced along with more effective temperature control systems.
2000 and Beyond - Cambridge again is at the forefront of harmonizing and implementing new ANSI
standards for both U.S. and Canadian applications. New standards are implemented to differentiate non-recirculating and recirculating type designs. Cambridge is the first manufacturer certified to the new Z83.4 standard for non-recirculating equipment. The Cambridge Building Study Program is introduced. This service, provided at no cost to the contractor or building owner, verifies heater performance by data logging actual building temperatures documenting utility bills. Recent comparison building studies document 40% to 70% energy savings vs. other industrial space heating systems.
Cambridge heating/ventilating equipment can save energy and improve indoor air quality for LEED Green Building Projects. Cambridge is an active member of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).