HELP!!! Seven zone hydronic conversion.
I have a 2 zone very simple fin tube perimeter system, with a Dunkirk boiler. I want to upgrade to seven seperate zones, with a thermostat in every room. Will I have better results keeping the existing fin tube, or upgrading to infloor? My home is 2500 sq ft. Pictures below.
Thanks
Dan
Need More Info
What model of Dunkirk boiler do you have? Some pics of the boiler and its near piping and controls would help a lot.
One issue that will probably arise is short cycling when only one or two zones are calling. Also, how feasible is it to install radiant?
Nice house.
Bob
You can choose to do what you want, but you cannot choose the consequences.
Conversions:
It is MY experience that what you want to do (make 2 zones into seven) will cost far more than you ever will see in savings. And there will probably be absolutely no savings.
Unless the original system was inadvertently installed with a way to easily split the supply/system piping, it is an exercise in spending a lot of money for no real return.
Most (if not all) the people I have dealt with who want to do this, don't do it when they find out the cost. People I know who have done it have unfilled expectations.
Usually, when I see it done in renovations and new construction, a Mechanical Engineer/Designer specs it and the owner doesn't have a choice. It looks good on paper but doesn't fly in cost of installation or operation.
It's like stepping over a $10.00 bill to pick up a dime.
That said, the original install should have had more zones. I can see why you want to do it. To balance through design and install a building heat system like your is giving me a head ache just thinking about it.
MO.
This post was edited by an admin on January 14, 2012 8:57 AM.
fin tube vs. radiant
I think a compromise would be good maybe 4 zones. Radiant is a good option for this house. more radiation requires lower boiler temp therefore lower bill
7 zones
It is very easy to do. install danfoss valve on each zone, and bypass line of the zone with balancing valve (just in case you will need it).
This post was edited by an admin on January 24, 2012 8:41 AM.
Open floor plan
I really do not see the benifits with zoning an open floor plan. Its only 2500 sf.
Yes you can do it, but like ice says what are you really going to gain at the cost. figure 100 bucks per zone valve plus piping,controls and labor. Not to discuss pricing, but making a point of if its worth the money.
Gordy
This post was edited by an admin on January 25, 2012 6:41 PM.
Individual Control
I this gennedy is right on. Put a thermostatic control valve on each radiator. If you system is in series you will have to use diversion tees or a similar product to maintain flows to the next heater. I believe callifee has a new product designed to integrate the new (to us) European low temp radiators to this kind of system. Ideally you would go low temp and put in a mod con.
