🔥 Bowman EC120-5113-3S Stainless Steel Heat Exchanger | 80kW (270,000 BTU/hr)

🌡️ High-Performance Pool Heating for Larger Residential & Small Commercial Installations

📋 Product Overview

The Bowman EC120-5113-3S is a premium stainless steel shell-and-tube heat exchanger engineered for efficient pool heating. Manufactured in the UK by E.J. Bowman, a company with over 100 years of heat transfer expertise, this unit delivers exceptional heat transfer performance for pools up to 130,000 litres (28,500 gallons).

The EC120 design incorporates more heat transfer tubes than typical competitor units, enabling pools to heat up to three times faster than standard heat exchangers. The stainless steel tube stack provides excellent durability and heat conductivity for freshwater chlorinated pools, while the compact design and composite end covers allow for flexible installation in tight plant rooms.

This model is ideal for larger domestic pools, small commercial facilities, swim spas, and installations where reliable, economical heating is essential. The removable tube stack design ensures straightforward maintenance access, while the universal fit end covers accommodate both metric and imperial pipework for hassle-free installation.

⭐ Key Features

✅ High Heat Transfer Output – Delivers 80kW (270,000 BTU/hr) with an 82°C boiler, providing rapid pool heating capability

✅ Stainless Steel Tube Stack – Durable construction offering excellent heat transfer and corrosion resistance for freshwater pools

✅ Large Pool Capacity – Suitable for pools up to 130m³ (28,500 gallons) when used with a conventional boiler

✅ Universal Fit End Covers – Composite end covers accommodate both 48mm (1½” NPS) and 50mm metric pipework

✅ Compact & Lightweight Design – Weighs just 5.5kg with a 542mm overall length, ideal for space-restricted installations

✅ Flexible Mounting Options – Can be installed horizontally or vertically to suit your plant room layout

✅ Integral Thermostat Pocket – Built-in 7mm thermostat pocket on inlet end for accurate pool temperature monitoring

✅ Removable Tube Stack – Easy access for cleaning and maintenance without complete system drain-down

✅ Multi-Source Compatible – Works efficiently with boilers, heat pumps, and solar thermal systems

✅ British Manufacturing Quality – Designed and built in Birmingham, UK, to the highest standards

🔧 Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Model Number	EC120-5113-3S
Heat Output (82°C Boiler)	80kW / 270,000 BTU/hr
Heat Output (60°C Boiler)	46kW / 157,000 BTU/hr
Shell Material	Composite End Covers
Tube Material	Stainless Steel
Max Pool Volume	130,000 litres / 28,500 gallons
Boiler Water Flow Rate	4.0 m³/hr (67 litres/min)
Max Pool Water Flow Rate	15.0 m³/hr (250 litres/min)
Max Operating Pressure	6 bar (both circuits)
Max Operating Temperature	110°C (heating side) / 100°C (pool side)
Primary Connections (Boiler)	¾” BSP threaded
Secondary Connections (Pool)	Solvent weld Ø48mm / Ø50mm (DN40 pipe)
Thermostat Pocket	Ø7mm x 40mm depth (inlet end)
Overall Length	542mm
Body Diameter	86mm
Mounting Hole Centres	130mm
Mounting Holes	Ø7mm
Weight (Dry)	5.5kg
Warranty	12 months

📊 Heat Transfer Performance

The Bowman EC120-5113-3S delivers variable heat output depending on your primary heat source temperature. All performance figures are based on achieving a pool water temperature of 30°C.

🏊 Pool Heating Performance with Boiler:

Boiler Temperature	Heat Output	Recommended Max Pool Size
82°C	80kW (270,000 BTU/hr)	130,000 litres (28,500 gal)
60°C	46kW (157,000 BTU/hr)	130,000 litres (28,500 gal)

🌡️ Performance with Solar Panels & Heat Pumps:

Source Temperature	Heat Output	Recommended Max Pool Size	Primary Flow Rate	Max Pool Flow Rate
70°C	30kW (102,000 BTU/hr)	50,000 litres (11,000 gal)	1.5 m³/hr (25 l/min)	6.2 m³/hr (104 l/min)
60°C	20kW (68,000 BTU/hr)	40,000 litres (8,800 gal)	1.5 m³/hr (25 l/min)	6.2 m³/hr (104 l/min)
45°C	10kW (34,000 BTU/hr)	20,000 litres (4,400 gal)	1.5 m³/hr (25 l/min)	6.2 m³/hr (104 l/min)

⚡ Efficiency Factors:

Optimum performance is achieved when the heat exchanger is correctly sized for your pool and heat source. Key considerations include maintaining recommended flow rates on both circuits, ensuring counter-flow installation (pool water flows opposite to heating water), and proper system balancing.

⏱️ Heat-Up Times & Temperature Maintenance

⚠️ Heat-up times vary based on multiple factors including:

• Heat source output (boiler or heat pump kW rating)
• Starting water temperature
• Desired temperature rise
• Pool cover usage and insulation
• Ambient/outdoor temperature
• Weather conditions and wind exposure
• Heat exchanger sizing match to heat source

The heat exchanger itself is a passive device that transfers heat from your primary source (boiler, heat pump, or solar) to the pool water. Actual heating times depend entirely on the output capacity of your heat source and environmental conditions.

🛡️ Material & Compatibility Guide

Stainless Steel Construction – What It Means For You:

The EC120-5113-3S features a stainless steel tube stack, providing excellent heat transfer properties and good corrosion resistance for standard freshwater pool applications.

✅ Ideal For:

• Chlorinated freshwater pools
• Indoor swimming pools
• Swim spas and exercise pools
• Standard pool chemical treatment

❌ Not Recommended For:

• Salt water pools
• Salt water chlorinator systems
• High chloride environments (above 350 ppm)

Water Chemistry Requirements (Stainless Steel):

Parameter	Acceptable Range
Free Chlorine	1.0 – 3.0 ppm
pH Level	7.2 – 7.8
Calcium Hardness	200 – 1,000 ppm
Total Alkalinity	100 – 150 ppm
Bromine	2.0 – 4.0 ppm
Chloride	Less than 350 ppm

⚠️ Important: If your pool uses a salt water chlorinator or has elevated chloride levels, consider the Titanium variant (EC120-5113-3T) which offers complete resistance to chloride attack and carries a 10-year tube stack guarantee.

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🎯 Applications & Use Cases

🏊‍♂️ Large Residential Pools – Ideal for domestic pools up to 130,000 litres requiring efficient, reliable heating from a gas or oil boiler system.

🏢 Small Commercial Facilities – Perfect for boutique hotels, holiday lets, wellness centres, and small leisure facilities needing dependable pool heating.

🛁 Swim Spas & Exercise Pools – Excellent for dedicated swim spas and resistance pools where consistent water temperature is essential for user comfort.

🔥 Boiler-Fed Heating Systems – Designed to work seamlessly with gas, oil, LPG, and biomass boilers operating at standard temperatures.

☀️ Solar Thermal Integration – Compatible with solar heating systems, though pool capacity is reduced to match lower water temperatures from solar collectors.

⚡ Heat Pump Connections – Works effectively with air-source and ground-source heat pumps, with sizing considerations for lower operating temperatures.

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🔨 Installation Considerations

Mounting Options: The EC120-5113-3S can be mounted horizontally or vertically, providing flexibility for various plant room configurations. Mounting brackets are included as standard.

Counter-Flow Installation Required: The heat exchanger must be installed in counter-flow configuration – pool water must flow in the opposite direction to the heating water. Failure to install correctly will significantly reduce performance.

Connection Requirements:

• Pool Water: Solvent weld connections for Ø48mm (1½” NPS) or Ø50mm metric pipe using the Universal Fit end covers
• Boiler Water: ¾” BSP threaded connections

Positioning in System: Install downstream of pumping and filtration equipment. Chemical dosing systems must be fitted after the heat exchanger with a non-return valve to prevent chemical attack.

Thermostat Location: Use the integral thermostat pocket on the pool water inlet side to control your heat source based on actual pool water temperature.

Space Requirements: Allow adequate clearance around the unit for future maintenance access, particularly for end cover removal during tube stack cleaning.

⚠️ Professional installation is strongly recommended for warranty compliance and optimum performance. Both circuits must be connected before commissioning.

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📥 Downloads & Resources

 Swimming Pool Heat Exchanger Brochure – Complete product range specifications and performance data (PDF)

 Installation, Operation & Maintenance Guide – Full technical installation instructions and maintenance procedures (PDF)

🏆 Why Choose Bowman Heat Exchangers

✅ 100+ Years of Heat Transfer Expertise – E.J. Bowman has been manufacturing heat exchangers in Birmingham, UK since the early 1900s

✅ Industry-Leading Design – More heat transfer tubes than competitors deliver up to three times faster heating

✅ Premium Material Options – Choice of Stainless Steel, Cupro-Nickel, or Titanium tube stacks to suit any water type

✅ Proven Global Performance – Tens of thousands of units operating reliably worldwide, from domestic pools to Olympic facilities

✅ British Manufacturing Quality – Designed, engineered, and built to the highest standards in the UK

✅ Comprehensive Support – Full range of replacement parts available for long-term serviceability

🛍️ Why Buy From Parts4Tubs

✅ UK-Based Pool & Spa Specialists – Dedicated expertise in pool heating equipment and components

✅ Expert Technical Advice – Our team can help you select the right heat exchanger for your specific application

✅ Competitive Pricing – Excellent value on genuine Bowman products

✅ Fast UK Delivery – Quick dispatch to get your project completed on schedule

✅ After-Sales Support – We’re here to help with installation queries, spare parts, and ongoing support

✨ Summary

The Bowman EC120-5113-3S Stainless Steel Heat Exchanger delivers professional-grade pool heating performance in a compact, lightweight package. With 80kW output capacity, suitability for pools up to 130,000 litres, and the reliability that comes from over a century of British manufacturing expertise, this unit represents an excellent choice for larger residential pools and small commercial installations using freshwater chlorination. Backed by Bowman’s proven track record and available with full technical support from Parts4Tubs, the EC120-5113-3S provides efficient, dependable heat transfer for years of comfortable swimming.