Heating Help

Standing pilot

@ March 21, 2013 8:54 AM in Standing pilot appliances........

I guess I should have worded my question differently. Are residential ,standing pilot water heaters still available?
Thanks, Roland........

Standing pilot appliances........

@ March 20, 2013 3:36 PM in Standing pilot appliances........

Is there any legislation concerning the discontinuation of standing pilot gas appliances?
Thanks,Roland........

Stuff happens........

@ March 8, 2013 10:20 AM in For your entertainment...

It's all part of lifes' rich tapestry....

Upgrade to mod-con.......

@ January 17, 2013 4:31 PM in Upgrade of brand new heating system in Long Island, NY

Hi GRod,
I don't have any credentials regarding heating, I'm just a home owner (on L.I.)
If it were me, I'd use the system as is for a couple of years and keep track of your gas usage. As has been suggested, do a heat loss for the house to see what you actually need as far as b.t.u.'s. You could hire some one with the equipment to evaluate how well insulated and air tight the house really is. You may be surprised to find areas that are under insulated. Air infiltration is as bad as not enough insulation.
I'm not familiar with the model boiler you will have, but, unless the installer really knew how to size it, it's probably too big for your needs. Than again, it has to produce your potable hot water as well. Too big a boiler will cause short cycling and possible reduced appliance life.
Definately consider adding outdoor reset. Depending on the model, you may be able to reduce the temperature of the water flowing through the baseboards. As it is now, the boiler is probably circulating 180-200 degree water.
A mod-con boiler is a nice thing to have, provided it's installed by a concientious professional. Prepare for sticker shock when you get the estimates. Don't get me wrong, I'd have one if I could swing the cost. When my present atmospheric boiler coughs, I'm going mod-con. If you have the scratch to spend, by all means go for it.
I the mean time, educate yourself. Read past posts of those who asked these same questions.
Good luck, Roland

no heat

@ December 25, 2012 7:05 AM in no heat

Others will be around to assist you. Can you post further details about your system? What kind of boiler,age,service history,etc.?Can you post pictures?

007 circs

@ November 30, 2012 1:09 PM in Tekmar 260

Thanks for the reply Dave.
Right now, the boiler is controlled by an ARGO ARM-2P  with a Tekmar 256 added for outdoor reset.
I want to install the '260 so I can clean up the present control system and take advantage of the additional features. Also, the Argo control has a quirk where it sometimes won't replenish the DHW.  The DHW priorty switch is activated on the ARM-2P and the warm weather shutdown is de-activated on the '256.
Thanks, Roland...........

Tekmar 260

@ November 30, 2012 11:44 AM in Tekmar 260

Hi All,
I want to install a Tekmar 260 control on my non-condensing boiler. I have one zone for heat and one for DHW. Each zone has a Taco 007 circulator.
I want to be sure the relays internal to the 260 can handle the 007's in the long haul.
The 260 specs are below:
Tekmar 260 Specifications:
Literature: D 260, A 260's, D 001, D 070
Control: Microprocessor PID control; This is not a safety (limit) control
Packaged Weight: 3.0 lb. (1340 g), Enclosure A, blue PVC plastic
Dimensions: 6-5/8" H x 7-9/16" W x 2-13/16" D (170 x 193 x 72 mm)
Approvals: CSA C US, meets ICES & FCC regulations for EMI/RFI
Ambient Conditions: Indoor use only, 32 to 113+F (0 to 45+C), < 90% RH non-condensing
Power Supply: 120 V +10% 50/60 Hz 1300 VA
Relays: 240 V (ac) 10 A 1/3 hp, pilot duty 240 VA
Demands: 20 to 260 V (ac) 2 VA
Sensors Included: NTC thermistor, 10 k? @ 77+F (25+C +0.2+C) +=3892 Outdoor Sensor 070 and Universal Sensor 071
Optional Devices: Tekmar type #: 031, 032, 076, 077
The 260 I/O seems to indicate direct connection to the circs. I just want to be sure the internal relays are sturdy enough.

Thanks, Roland............

Bad or not?

@ October 25, 2012 4:06 PM in Bad expansion tank. replace or not

Just curious, how did you determine that it's bad? If this is a bladder type tank, maybe it lost it's charge of air. Just dealt with this same issue myself. Tank seemed to be full of water. When I removed it, I found out that the initial charge had leaked out.  I am not going to re-use it as the bladder may have been weakened.

Smaller orifices?

@ September 26, 2012 4:46 PM in Smaller orifices?

I couldn't help but notice that the I/O manual for my boiler lists smaller orifices on the parts page.
What would be the downside of downfiring ,say, 20% ?
I ask because the boiler is too big for my calculated heat loss. It was installed 7 years ago so I'm not in a hurry to change it out.
Thanks!

Read,read,read".......

@ August 10, 2012 7:31 PM in What type of heating system should I use?

A place to start is the I/O manual of several different boilers. Familiarize yourself with the minimum required piping and accessories( yes the installer will have to add additional parts). When you interview a potential installer, ask him HOW he will configure the heating system, by then you will be armed with enough information to get an idea of whether or not he will cut corners.
Invest in some good books on the system(s) you are considering. Knowledge is power and can save you from doing the job twice. Good books are available on this site.Others can give you their favorites.
Best, Roland....................

Read,read,read".......

@ August 10, 2012 7:31 PM in What type of heating system should I use?

A place to start is the I/O manual of several different boilers. Familiarize yourself with the minimum required piping and accessories( yes the installer will have to add additional parts). When you interview a potential installer, ask him HOW he will configure the heating system, by then you will be armed with enough information to get an idea of whether or not he will cut corners.
Invest in some good books on the system(s) you are considering. Knowledge is power and can save you from doing the job twice. Good books are available on this site.Others can give you their favorites.
Best, Roland....................

Slow news day?

@ August 9, 2012 2:50 PM in What type of heating system should I use?

While we are waiting for someone who actually has some credentials, I'll throw in my two zloty.


 As I suggested, insulate and air seal as if you live in a colder region. Insulation is like fuel you buy once and reap the benefits of long into the future.
I am paraphrasing what others have said over the years. My words are my own.
"There are no bad boilers, only bad installations". Indeed there have been particular models which have had, shall we say, "teething problems". 
In the fullness of time, most all problems have had a resolution or two. I don't remember reading about any truly evil heating equipment (others can chime in here) but descriptions and photos of less than optimal installations abound. The clue here; the installer is the most important quantity after you've decided which path to take.
Maybe as important, is to educate yourself deeply and profoundly. Be the heating system. Ask many questions.
You can have it all. Mod-con based radiant heat from the floor, walls and ceiling. High tech hot water via refrigerant based heat exchange.
If you've got open sky, you can have solar hot water. Or solar assisted hot water.
Home automation is truly the way of the future.
I will say that I'm slow to give up that much control of my environment to high technology. Must have something to do with coming out of the middle of the last century.
If you are considering using propane, you're probably going to want to go with as high an efficiency boiler as possible. It's no secret that propane is pricey stuff and you need more of it than natural gas or heating oil to get the same amount of heat energy.
Believe it or not, people are installing new STEAM heating systems.
Oh yes, there is also forced hot air which is great if you like burnt air. Not my first choice but everything has it's place.
Time to feed the cats. Good reading. Roland.........

In your spare time..............

@ August 8, 2012 4:04 PM in What type of heating system should I use?

Have a look at this website;
http://www.buildingscience.com/index_html
More about building and all things insulation than one can stand.
My wife and I LOVE Maine. We try to visit Bar Harbor once a year.
Best, Roland.......
Oh and you will get truly valuable information from the experts who visit here.

First things first...........

@ August 8, 2012 3:27 PM in What type of heating system should I use?

Before you lay the first brick, think long and hard about insulation and air sealing above and beyond local code. More is better.
Do this and you will save BIG regardless of the heating system you decide to install. I know it's not as sexy as a high-tech, whiz-bang condensing boiler/furnace but you will thank me later...........Really.............

mod/mod

@ August 7, 2012 11:00 AM in Condensing vs traditional cast iron boiler?

Don't forget the cost of yearly service. From what I've read here, mod-con boilers can be more expensive to maintain due to added complexity.

rAy boiler.....

@ July 29, 2012 8:09 AM in Bosch Greenstar....

 I have heard much concern expressed about aluminum  heat exchangers not holding up under less than perfect water conditions.
 What became of the rAy, cast iron mod-con? It was supposed to be the best thing since pizza and beer.

Roland............

Theoretical question..........

@ June 29, 2012 2:36 PM in Theoretical question..........

Let's say I have a simple NON-mod-con boiler with outdoor reset and I short the thermostat wires together to create a constant heat demand. Also, the warm weather shut down function is disabled. What should happen in this scenario considering an outdoor temperature of 90*F+??
Thanks, Roland.............

Dehumidifier........

@ June 19, 2012 9:04 AM in dehumidifier won't shut off

Silly question, did it shut off in the past? I have one that runs the fan constantly and only cycles the compressor when there is detectable humidity.

How long???

@ June 4, 2012 4:47 PM in Burnham Alpine

"Burnham Alpine with servicing every year will last beetween 12 and fifteen years" including but not limited to  proper combustion testing!"
I'm still a bit uneasy about the projected longevity of mod/cons. I guess I'm just so last century.
Roland..................

Ventilation

@ April 18, 2012 10:50 AM in Ventilating a Cape attic

Peruse some of the info here:
http://www.buildingscience.com/search?SearchableText=roof+ventilation
It seems you will have to do some modification to your roof/attic to get the result you want.

Insulation

@ March 29, 2012 2:37 PM in Insulation question

Additional reading;
http://www.buildingscience.com/doctypes

on the side lines....

@ March 22, 2012 12:10 PM in indirect

Yes to both questions.          Thanks........