Heating Help

New Triangle Boiler

@ January 8, 2012 10:20 AM in New TT Prestige!?

They are starting to ship now. The smaller btu models were first to start, 60, 110, although we did get a PS175 the other day which was the new version. I believe we have the 60 and 110's now.

Big backlog . Don't expect to see my stock orders of  the 175/250 models arriving  for another 4-6 weeks.

I believe they were shipping these new versions to the West first, leaving the Eastern market to be the last to start getting them.

Glenn

Innovex

@ February 22, 2009 10:21 AM in BTU metering?

I was doing a project on 5 airplane hangers - radiant heat, 1 boiler room, with btu metering. A company named Innovex Technologies has boiler controls, flow and temp sensors, and a LCD controller that will supposedly do all this - LON based. It has internet access, remote control access etc. Great looking literature, and the ex-principal Roger, was a good salesman. We started in this installation a few months ago and ran into issues. Very marginal documentation - support issues, missing components - the current installation is most likely going to be scrapped. I believe they (Innovex/Roger) were pre-occupied in negotiations and closing a sale transferring all the company assets to Taco. Taco purchased this company a few months ago - they were showing it at ASHRAE in Chicago this past January. Roger was there working the booth on this product. I'm hoping that they will do this line justice - they really have something good - but it was poorly marketed, poorly documented, poorly supported. I have to contact the hangar owner where this product is already partially installed. He has not paid for anything yet - understandably, but is not interested in being a test case. We already have another customer who wants it and we are going to try and re-install on his residence. I would imagine I will be in contact with people at Taco now as we try and complete this new installation as Innovex no longer exits. If you want, contact me, I'll email you more information. Glenn

How not to do radiant in the US

@ October 31, 2008 11:08 PM in Need some help with the best and the worst (Dan H.)

It has to inflict pain to see this job.

Got it wrong

@ October 31, 2008 10:56 PM in Prestige Outdoor Reset

I believe this is the excerpt from the user manual that you may be referring to in your comment- "Note 3: This parameter should not be changed from the factory setting. The performance of the CH (Central/Space Heating) will be affected and can become unreliable." Below is what they don't want you to do by accident- OFF In this mode the Prestige will NOT recognize any request for a “call for heat” for space heating. This mode shuts down the CH operation, both burner and CH circulator function, of the Prestige control.The Prestige will maintain all DHW operation, both burner and DHW circulator function, as well as the freeze protection of the boiler. If, because you are unfamiliar with this control and its functions, you may accidentally do the above - then you will potentially have a water heating device only. It will completely ignore requests to turn on the CH (central heating) pump terminals and fire the boiler. That's why they offer courses, to learn about the boiler and its controls. True story - about a year ago, a home owner started poking around in these settings - didn't know what he was doing - and then noticed he had no heat. Of course, he calls the original installing contractor. He comes over - couldn't figure out what was wrong. A 2nd one was called in ... same result. A 3rd one was called in - he couldn't figure it out either, but he called me because he knew I was familiar with the boiler and its control. While I didn't exactly know what was wrong, I decided to review the parameters first, and see if any were changed from the factory setting. Well guess what I found ..... parameter 3 was changed. This is the best condensing boiler / best value out there. It's not their ass they are trying to cover, - bend over buddy -they were trying to cover your ass. My $.02 Glenn

A real pleasure

@ October 31, 2008 7:48 AM in Solar class

HR Thank you again. It was a great presentation, albeit a bit pressed for time - 2 classes in one day. I thought your installation video was excellent. It certainly was filled with small tips/tricks for the tradesman. It lead you through the entire process of installation - it basically helps to take the fear away of that first install. Well done. Look forward to doing again some time next spring maybe. Glenn

@ October 24, 2008 1:40 PM in Hot Rod Solar Training

HR For the evening, we have room for about 25 in the class room - approx 30 people committed so you may be speaking to a partial standing crowd as well . Just kidding about standing, we'll find some folding chairs someplace. The afternoon class is about 14 so far. Looking forward to seeing you again and learning some more. Glenn

Flux

@ October 23, 2008 2:32 PM in Pinhole leaks copper piping

While all the comments above may be valid, another contributing factor may be from the flux used to solder the joints. If the piping laid dormant for an excessive amount of time (2-4 months) after the joints were soldered, without being flushed/filled with water, small pin-holes can develop in the copper from what I believe is amonium-hydroxide crystals - a chemical component of the flux. This was determined from a joint panel about 30 years ago looking into leaks that occurred during/after the trac building boom in the late 60's and 70's. The panel consisted of a representative of the copper institute, Utility chemical, Embassy industries, and 2 trac plumbing contractors, myself (representing a wholesaler), and a couple of other industry people. Besides this conclusion, the instructions on a can of flux (from Utility Chemical) were changed on the side of the can from "apply liberally", to "apply a small amount" . My $.02 Glenn

Evening Class - Closed Out

@ October 23, 2008 2:20 PM in Hot Rod Solar Training

For those of you who may be interested, the evening class is filled. We only have openings for the afternoon. Glenn ps. Dan - we would squeeze you in, if you wanted to come by.

Sending Info

@ October 22, 2008 11:27 AM in Hot Rod Solar Training

Anthony I am sending you via email a map, and further info. Glenn

Caleffi

@ October 22, 2008 12:03 AM in Hot Rod Solar Training

I believe HR is employed by Caleffi as their national training manager. I would suggest you contact a wholesaler in your area that handles Caleffi and see if they can arrange a class. That's what I did for our company.

Solar Presentation by Caleffi - Hot Rod

@ October 21, 2008 8:44 PM in Hot Rod Solar Training

For those of you in NY LI area, Hot Rod will be at Tash Sales, Wednesday, October 29th to give a presentation on solar heating. There will be two training sessions - 12:00PM – 4:30PM and 5:00PM-9:30PM . Seating will be limited to 25 people per session. If your interested, please contact me with the session you’d be interested in attending. I will send you an outline of the presentation and a map. Glenn

married

@ October 12, 2008 9:29 PM in Boiler by-pass piping

Agree with Tim. Who knows what problems are lurking on this job before you get there. Ignore the visible signs or potential problems and you will be married to them. In a few weeks you may hear - "Everything worked fine before you put in this new boiler thing. You must have done or changed something". Know what your getting into. My $.02 Glenn

Overpump?

@ October 12, 2008 8:59 PM in size circulating pump to use

What are you referring to? I assume you mean the flow rate would be so high as to reduce his Delta T ? Or, the velocity of the water would be so high, that he would create excessive turbulence, noise and air? What is the downside you are referring to? Glenn

got ya beat

@ October 9, 2008 6:52 PM in Awesome radiant installation.

check these photos out. This guy really knew his stuff. He liked couplings.

Excellence

@ October 1, 2008 10:13 PM in Anyone with Prestige Excellence experience?

We've sold several of them for applications exactly like you have - no issues. According to the specs, it can produce 3 gpm @70F rise. My $.02 Glenn

Fuel Comparisons

@ September 30, 2008 9:55 AM in Sticker Shock!

Angela This is a worksheet I made up a few months ago. I put in your usage of 1200 gallons and 76% efficiency that you claimed. I compared it to an 85% efficient boiler so you could see the differences. Assuming fuel rates unchanged, it shows savings over 1 year and 5 year based on different fuels, and different 2 different efficiency levels. A couple of points to consider 1.) Future fuel costs are probably going to continue to rise, therefore your payback period would shorten. 2.) Cost of installation is not likely to go down, so if you elect to do this 2 years from now, you will have lost those years of potential fuel savings, plus likely pay more for the installation. 3. A more fuel efficient system would potentially make your house worth more - the tax man doesn't see this, but the potential resale value of your home could be somewhat higher if you intended to sell it in the near term. The most important thing, be sure you have a capable, qualified contractor - he will be worth paying more for. Hope this helps you in your decision. My $.02 Glenn

National Magnetic

@ September 27, 2008 9:06 AM in What control

I've their products before. They will custom make a liquid level switch for you

Tyfacor - antifreeze for solar panels

@ September 14, 2008 3:47 PM in heat tranfer fluid for evacuated tube system

When you add antifreeze to the evacuated tube system, it has nothing to do with the fluid inside the evacuated tube collector. That fluid is permanent and sealed inside each of the tubes. They don't mix with the system antifreeze. Consult with the manufacture of your collector system for specific recommendations. Checking the anti-freeze concentrations is something that should be scheduled maintenance and done regularly. Check with manufacturer. If you are stagnating excessively, such that you are concerned about these higher temps, perhaps you have too many collectors for your system (tank size). One option would be to rotate the tubes slightly to maximize performance during winter thereby reducing performance in the summer, and reducing the amount/potential for stagnation. Stagnation occurs when your tank can not absorb any more energy from the panels, and the controller shuts down the pump. More panels is not necessarily a good thing with solar. Another option, get a second or larger tank. Rotating the tubes would probably be a better option. Learning this solar stuff, but I believe I'm on track with this question. My $.02 Glenn

Gianonni makes the coil

@ September 9, 2008 9:02 PM in Modcon Boiler Service Time (Pic)

They have an impressive website but I agree, I think a flawed design. I believe this is also the same exchgr in the NTI trinity. I have to give them credit - they are the only mfg I'm aware of that shows you what you need to do in detail and provide photos. http://www.giannoni.fr/ Also attached page from Prestige manual on cleaning. All the mod-cons seem to have the same type of maintenance requirements. One big difference for the Prestige, it has multiple wide pathways for water flow around the flue gas baffles. I can't ever envision this exchanger plugging up. Maybe the burner getting crap on the screen from construction dust, but not the exchanger. My $.02 Glenn

2\" in basement floor - maybe too costly ?

@ September 9, 2008 8:51 PM in Under slab insulation

If its a basement, you probably have a minimal heatloss, and the ground temp beneath the slab is probably around 50F unless your by the water or way up North. Why would you need so much insulation in the floor? I would look a bit closer at the cost effectiveness of that choice. I would consider using the barrier - its relatively inexpensive, rolls out like carpet padding, and may provide a sufficient thermal block between the slab and earth for the minutes per hour the basement slab would turn on. Of course this assumes your not in Alaska somewhere. We sell/spec it regularly on snowmelt systems where there is no idling involved. If you still want to put down that much foam, save atleast save yourself some labor by using creteheat. Fast and easy to use also. See pics See photos My $.02 Glenn

How about removeable coils

@ September 9, 2008 8:44 PM in solar hot water

See the attached spec from Vaughn. Mfg in MA Maybe this would help? $.02 Glenn

space

@ September 8, 2008 8:58 PM in Viessmann Vitirod 100

The MPO requires alot of floor space in front and in back to clean properly. I suggest you look at the installation manual. My $.02 Glenn