[an error occurred while processing this directive]

Re: Deciding on a new boiler


[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ Boiler Room Residential and Home Forum #4 ] [ FAQ ]

Posted by dana on October 21, 2008 at 14:08:11:

In Reply to: Re: Deciding on a new boiler posted by ps on October 21, 2008 at 08:57:34:


: That was a rhetorical comment - but in a nutshell I was brought in as a witness on a HO & plumber friend job gone bad, and the HO lost. Just trying to stress that jobs like these should be performed by Pro's as these are not your grandfather's heating systems.
: Glad to see there are Pro's out there that are installing the best systems for their customers' needs - and not just slapping in the wholesaler's special of the month.

Actually, your grandfathers' heating systems have plenty of issues of their own (take coal-fired steam boilers with oil or NG retrofit burners, f'rinstance.)

But you're absolutly right- heating systems need to be DESIGNED, to achieve any efficiency. But in light of the fact that the heat load of many/most 1500' houses in CT are below the output of the smallest available cast-iron boilers, eating into their efficiency, there needs to be a better solution (and modulating HW heaters may be it.)

Condensing modulating boilers & controls tend to be quite expensive up front- too expensive to rationalize the cost for a load that size. But modulating HW heaters provide a middle path- they can be set up to run significantly more efficiently than cast iron with up-front costs well below the smallest modulating/condensing systems (and even below mid-efficiency cast-iron systems.)

ASME stamped or not, most (all?) Takagi models (and many from other vendors) are designed for space heating use. Unlike some, space heating used doesnt' void the Takagi warranty- there are even heating system design examples & recommendations in the documentation. This type of system is arguably the best VALUE for small heating loads like the house in question. Going with a condensing boiler you'll never make up the difference in up-front cost in fuel savings (and the maintenance will likely nullify savings from fuel too.) If it's code-legal to install them as hydronic boilers in CT, it's probably the right choice.


Follow Ups:



Post a Followup

Name:
E-Mail:

Subject:

Comments:


[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ Boiler Room Residential and Home Forum #4 ] [ FAQ ]