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Paul Pollets

Joined on July 24, 2003

Last Post on May 21, 2012

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Replacement

@ May 21, 2012 12:24 PM in Lennox CompleteHeat

You'll have continual issues with what you have. Replacement can be done with several options. If you have radiant heating and 2 baths with no soaking tubs, a combo appliance would be a good choice, like the Triangle Tube PE110. If you have baseboard, radiators or an air handler coil, (and more baths with a large DHW load) a separate boiler and indirect storage tank would be preferred. The new equipment will still need regular maintenance, but not be as problematic.

"Blue Tank"

@ May 21, 2012 10:40 AM in Cold showers?

He could also have an Amtrol indirect DHW tank that has a coil leak, as well as an expansion tank issue. There should be 2 expansion tanks...one for the boiler system and a potable expansion tank for the indirect.

Tariffs

@ May 19, 2012 3:00 PM in US to add large tariff to Chinese solar panels

Is 'cheaper' better? I'd prefer to buy product where the workers are paid a decent living wage and benefits. The reason product costs so little is the Chinese labor rate. That will change.

US to add large tariff to Chinese solar panels

@ May 18, 2012 5:47 PM in US to add large tariff to Chinese solar panels

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2018232854_chinasolartariff18.html

Dope

@ May 9, 2012 12:38 AM in Permatex for Baseray nipples?

Regular pipe dope (Hercules Pro-Dope) works just fine. The dope should be applied evenly to the entire nipple and the press-fit will seal.it.

Controlling the boiler

@ May 8, 2012 10:40 AM in Old radiant system

Without a 4 way mixing valve and motor for the radiant, there is a very good possibility of thermal shock (and condensation) for the new appliance, which will cause the boiler to fail prematurely. The return temperature to the appliance needs to be above 140 within 4-5 minutes after startup. The acidic condensate caused by firing the boiler at low temps, will start to eat up the ferrous parts of the boiler...which is most of it.

Amtrol indirects

@ May 6, 2012 4:12 PM in Leak in indirect coil?

These tanks had a poorly designed coil with a 5-10 year life expectancy. Expect a leaker.

Electric Ceiling

@ May 4, 2012 12:31 PM in In ceiling electric radiant heat and lights

The ceiling panels usually were made with the cabling at 4-6" centers. Drilling to install a ceiling fan will likely hit a wire. I'd recommend an IR camera to locate the wires before drilling.

Critical article on Tankless water heaters

@ May 3, 2012 10:13 AM in Critical article on Tankless water heaters

Thanks for the article, Dan. As I suspected, the efficiency ratings were overstated by the manufacturers, just like AFUE. While the research did not address their use in combined heating/DHW systems, I'm more than convinced that these appliances are a poor choice for DHW usage except in small homes or apartments. They are simply dangerous when used for both hydronic heating and DHW and should be removed as "acceptable" from the codes. That includes the state of Washington, where I live.

Cost vs. Performance

@ April 18, 2012 2:15 PM in Domestic Water System Design Contest- Win $100!!!

You won't find a system that can deliver at least 15gpm-20gpm of DHW at 120 degrees for under $5K. Can't be done. You can either do a boiler and indirect tank, or a commercial gas-fired water heater that can deliver the required flow rates for 20 units.

2"

@ April 16, 2012 10:42 AM in Buried copper piping leaks

I'd be using PEX for the main, considering the cost of copper.

Pex

@ April 13, 2012 10:49 AM in is there a difference in the pex tubing

There is a difference. Pex is now a commodity and pricing will vary between manufacturer.

Pex with an O2 barrier costs more. Some manufacturers (Viega) have Pex that is certified for both potable and non-potable use.

See: http://www.heatinghelp.com/article/335/Radiant-Hot-Water-Heating/223/PEX-choices

Congrats!

@ April 8, 2012 9:17 PM in My Easter present

Such a wonderful gift!!

PE110

@ April 4, 2012 5:23 PM in oil boiler to condensing LP gas Triangle Tube boiler

the radiant zones will pipe through a 1"- 3 way thermostatic mixing valve and pump; the baseboard on its own pump. The primary loop must be 1" around the boiler and the 2 supply temps use closely spaced tees to work properly. The correct piping is described in their manual. Follow it carefully!!!!!

Small zones will not affect the operation of the boiler. Use zone valves after the pump and use a "Smart" pump if possible. (Grundfos Alpha or Taco variable speed) The smart pump will "see" the zone valves opening and closing and adjust flow rates accordingly.

Boiler type

@ April 2, 2012 6:53 PM in disadvantages

I'd consider a Triangle Tube PE110 Excellence. It is a wall-hung condensing appliance with a built in water trank and DHW flow rate of 3.5-4gpm. It will also provide 100K btu's for heating.

If running baseboard, make sure you size correctly on a single loop or the BB's at the end of the run will likely be cold.

Foil up??

@ April 1, 2012 5:41 PM in Adding 220 sq ft radiant to existing system

Why put a foil-faced product in contact with a concrete or drypack mortar pour? The concrete products will react to the aluminum.

Feeder

@ March 29, 2012 1:33 PM in Mega Steam

Dan, how do you feed water into the boiler? Do you use the #67MM? Do you instruct the owner to blow down the appliance?

Conversion

@ March 17, 2012 10:56 AM in Viessmann oil to gas conversion?

The flue pathways in the Vitorond were designed for oil combustion, not gas. You should have considered the Vitola, if you wanted to do a gas conversion, as the rep said. Putting a gas burner on the Vitola will void the warranty for both the burner and the boiler, and risk proper combustion within the appliance. It is a huge safety hazard, to say the least. Your homeowner's insurance would not cover any damages resulting from such a conversion.

02 diffusion

@ March 15, 2012 12:07 PM in Anyone seen this....

Good example of oxygen diffusion from non-barrier tubing. Seen it many times. EPDM tubing does not have an 02 barrier. Separate the tubing water from the boiler using a Taco-X-Block and treat the water on the tubing side with cleaner and an 02 scavenger. Rhomar makes good boiler cleaning and system chemicals. Stainless or bronze pumps should be used when non-barrier tubing is installed.

Insurance costs

@ March 15, 2012 12:03 PM in liability insurance

The liability costs will depend upon your payroll costs, vehicles insured and risk factors for the type of work your company performs. I found another company several years ago that specialized in contractor liability and the firm quoted me a better policy for more coverage, at a 30% discount to what I was currently paying. It sounds like it would be worth getting quotes from other insurance vendors.