Heating Help

Where are you located?

@ April 11, 2012 11:17 AM in Tubing uncoiler

I have the Wirsbo heavy duty uncoiler for sale.  I'm in Minnesota.

Tekmar 664 control (new)

@ January 27, 2012 2:44 PM in Tekmar 664 control (new)

I have a Tekmar 664 Snow melt control, new and never installed. 

http://tekmarcontrols.com/snowmelting/664.html

Click the link above for a complete listing of the product information.  This control sells at wholesale pricing around  $1000-1200.  Tekmar, along with my supplier have a strict policy that does not allow for returns on opened packages. 

Email me directly if you are interested.  My price is a shocker and you will be satisfied.

Been there..

@ January 17, 2012 2:58 PM in TACO variable speed pump

I have had great luck when taking the return sensor and placing it between the electrical housing box and the outside of the motor casing.  Sounds weird but it works. The housing will heat up fairly quickly and the circ will think the return is much higher than it is. 

I agree, some sort of override would be nice.
 

That seems to be the only way I can get to you...

@ December 16, 2011 1:54 PM in A question for everyone

The very idea of logistics and travel expenses saved makes it worth it. Besides, you probably don't have a MN trip planned anytime soon. Online training is great.  John Barba, and Taco do a great job for free but they have a vested interest with many millions of dollars in product on the line.  Your product is your intellectual property and for that you should be compensated.   I teach apprentices and journeymen in a classroom setting, they even pay me for that but there are times I would like to ask for a raise!

$20-40 seems acceptable as long as the they are archived and downloadable.  Live is tough for anyone, being on my own schedule allows for a better learning environment every time. Sign me up!

Valve head loss

@ December 8, 2011 2:37 PM in circulator for radiant heat

You also have to consider the Cv rating of the mixing valve.  You have a calculated head loss through the mixing valve and the circulator has to overcome that as well.  This may not bump you up too far on the pump curve but it is part of the selection process.

Tubing Uncoiler

@ November 11, 2011 2:58 PM in Tubing Uncoiler

Located in east central Minnesota.

Works great, absolutely nothing wrong with the entire unit.

I have three uncoilers, need to clear out some space.

Click the "Contact User" to get in touch with me for more info.

$300

GC doesn't consider the cost of business?

@ October 29, 2011 9:43 AM in Installing PEX in sub-zero temperatures

Safety is also a consideration at temps that low. I speak from experience, here in MN we often work at or below zero.

Air temps that cold invite injury from many angles. Whether the GC provides it or not, the contractor should consider having some heat for his guys.

I have never had any problems with PEX cracking/failing at low temperatures but that may be luck.  I will say that the colder it gets the harder it is to install.  Only the manufacturer can say what temp is considered too low for handling their product. 

Does this contractor use any solvent weld glues? The label on the can will definitely state at which temperatures it must be protected from. That may be the route the contractor should go.

As I understand it...

@ September 11, 2011 10:47 PM in Fire Tube Heat Exchangers taking hold

The original heat exchanger for the TT is the same exchanger now found in the new Knight wall hung models.  TT has contracted with a different supplier to build similar exchangers with hopes that QC and availability are not an issue.  Again, this is how it was explained to me...by a salesman. 

Regardless of the who and why, this design has been nothing but wonderful in every application I have installed it in.  I have not installed the new Knight units but have been using TT's for many years.  The design of this heat exchanger, along with well thought out system piping and controls, has eliminated more than a few components needed on a lot of "usual" installs.  Couple that with lower electricity use (fewer and smaller circs), less annual maintenance and its a win win for most buyers.

Congratulations Jeffrey!

@ August 10, 2011 7:00 PM in And Now, For Something Completely Different.........

You will be a great compliment to them, they are lucky to have you.

Sure hope not...

@ May 29, 2011 2:12 AM in The EPA and elecric hot water heaters

Northern climates are not as conducive to the installation of heat pump water heaters. I have a few out there, a couple are fine and a couple are questionable.  We pay a lot for our heat, and for many months so there are few places where this type of heater makes sense at all.  Hard for me to justify saving money on one front only to spend it on another (heat). 

Check them all out

@ May 29, 2011 2:04 AM in Outdoor wood boiler

I have been installing outdoor wood furnaces, that's right...they're not boilers because they are not pressurized, for about ten years.

Firebox and controls are the key to one of these units lasting.  Do not forget that the type of wood and quantity are also major factors that will play heavily in their useful life span.  (Of course you cannot control what your customer burns but educating them is a good first step)

In my experience the PEX is less important then the circulator and the piping arrangement near the plate heat exchanger.  Quality PEX and fittings, like Viega or Uponor will suffice easily, insulated of course.

Oh, and be sure to stress to your customer that once they decide to use it they are married to it.  Back up or not, if they are going to get their value out of it they have to tend to it as if it were their youngest child...say goodbye to vacations and the like because its tough to get your neighbors to come over on those sub-zero mornings to stoke the firebox.  Like it or not, that's a reality.

It was great!

@ May 27, 2011 12:33 PM in NAOHSM

Being so far away makes it quite tough to get to meet any of you, having made the trip leaves me very happy to have made the connection of name to face.  It was great meeting those I had the chance to, the show was great as well.  Wish I could have sat in on Dan's presentation though.  Oh well, maybe another time...soon.

This it?

@ May 21, 2011 11:23 AM in Looking for Boiler Room showcase article....

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704862404575350720302248474.html

Poor design skills?

@ May 9, 2011 11:42 PM in Changing over to radiant, need guidance please...

Usually the guys who say the plates are not worth the time/money are those who have little design input or knowledge of.

I like to follow those guys, they are my bread-n-butter.

I bet, just a guess but, those are the same guys who have no time for heat loss calculations or aren't really sure so a three speed circulator will do just fine...

layout

@ May 5, 2011 2:25 PM in Questions regarding new layout

The piping arrangement, as it is drawn now, will not allow for any flow through the kitchen.  If you are able to connect the tubing from the kitchen to the baseboard piping, why not put your zone valves there?  One for the main level and one for the kitchen.  The return from the kitchen will have to be tied in after the main level BB.

Been away, been busy!

@ May 5, 2011 2:19 PM in ironranger

Sorry I missed your response.  I do get up to the range once in a while.  My sister lives in Hoyt Lakes.

If you would like, I am always up for a phone conversation or email exchange.  You can send me a message from this site to get started.  I will receive an email for HH.com and could then contact you. 

Heavy lifter

@ May 5, 2011 2:05 PM in Large PEX

Keeping within the operating limits of the PEX you select is a no brainer, as I'm sure you are well aware of.

I have installed [what seems to be] miles of larger diameter PEX for projects like car washes and warehouse buildings.  All a mixture of both radiant and plumbing piping.  All of the large stuff I have installed has been below grade/burried.

There are two things I can tell you from experience.  One being be prepared to struggle while trying to handle anything over 1" respectively.  Once you get up to the 1 1/2" sizes I don't think it matters much what type of PEX it is [unless it straight sticks] it will be very stiff and require some horsepower to get it to where you want it to go.

Second being if you have hydraulic or electric powered tools for joining you will be much better off at the end of the day.

Good luck!

Home on the range'

@ April 29, 2011 8:20 AM in ironranger

Great to see a couple fellow Minnesotans here.  If you ever find yourself in the Zimmerman area and want to sit down and talk shop give me a ring.  auneplumbing@gmail.com

DiaNorm panel rads are a very nice product.  Great quality when compared to most others.  Most importantly would be their availability to you, along with parts and stock on hand.  After all, who cares how great they are if you cannot get them when you need them?

For a heating system:

@ April 4, 2011 7:33 AM in formula for finding GPM circulated

GPM = Btu/(Delta T x 500)

Find a contractor

@ April 2, 2011 1:39 AM in Water temp for in concrete heating

You may have a handle on the installation, or you may not. In both cases you have read responses to your questions by some of the best guys in the industry.  The common thread in all of the above is that you need to start with a heat loss calculation.  Whether you decide to do the work yourself to save money or not, either way your best bet is to find a contractor (there is a convenient place located at the top of this page) who will figure this information for you.  Be prepared to at least pay for his/her knowledge, but it is that knowledge you seek...

Good luck. Oh, you are going to like the radiant more than the forced air.   

Loved it!

@ March 29, 2011 8:51 AM in compleat boiler room

Great class, great people. Well worth my time.

I 2nd Chris's remedy

@ March 27, 2011 5:00 PM in BSPT X NPT Adapter:

Loctite for these threads seems to be the ticket.  I have had similar problems with panel radiators and Loctite (teflon type) has rid all leaks from the start.