Heating Help

Scale removal

@ April 1, 2010 3:58 PM in Tankless exchangeer cleaning/maintenance

is pretty straightforward - if the system has isolation valves.  A pump, a bucket, and Sizzle is what I use.  Any other products or processes used out there?

1 sq. ft EDR = 240 BTUH

@ March 31, 2010 2:16 PM in 2 over-sized boiler questions

in steam heating systems.  525 sq ft = 126,000 BTUH.  When you add the pickup factor, the amount of BTUHs needed is 167,580 BTUHs.  Accordingly, your boiler is right on.

Leaking Chimney Door

@ March 31, 2010 11:06 AM in Chimney Question

In early March, I woke up to a partially flooded basement.  Even though I replaced my boiler in January (along with new near-boiler piping), I did not replace the return line.  And so I initially thought it was the steam return line sprunk a leak.  I turned out to be the chimney cleanout door.  Even though my chimney is capped, the wind driven rain was soaking my chimney and basement. 

In your case, since the chimney is no longer being used, I would simply seal it at the top, and give it good cleaning and insulating at the bottom. 

Thanks

@ March 30, 2010 12:46 PM in First Man on the Moon

for the info.

Zoning 101

@ March 30, 2010 12:45 PM in Should I use a Bypass Valve?

Found this book very helpful:  http://www.bellgossett.com/literature/files/809.pdf

Electric Tank

@ March 29, 2010 2:45 PM in First Man on the Moon

Any idea how much energy a 6 gallon electric tank consumes?  

Indirect vs Direct DHW tank

@ March 29, 2010 2:41 PM in First Man on the Moon

Is an indirect dhw tank, even one installed off of a modcon, more efficient than a direct, high efficient hw tank?  The fact that you have to heat one source to indirectly heat another one doesn't sound too efficient.  From what I understand, you can get a 95% efficient direct hw tank.  Wouldn't this be the way to go?  What are the advantages of going with an indirect tank?

First Man on the Moon

@ March 28, 2010 12:58 PM in First Man on the Moon

Can't believe I'm going where no man has gone before, i.e., the first to post on this forum.  Anyhow, what is the most efficient way to produce DHW?  I thought that tankless was the way to go, until I installed one in my home.  Aside from having to have sufficient flow, you'll always get that "cold sandwich" effect in between showers.  Is there a better way?  Also, is there a way to recapture any of the heat that goes down the drain along with the hot water?

LoopCad

@ March 27, 2010 12:01 PM in heat loss calculation

offers a free 30 day trial period.  http://www.avenir-online.com/avenirweb/Corporate/AvenirHome.aspx

Skimming

@ March 24, 2010 7:17 PM in Skimming

By skimming you are trying to get rid of the oily residue that is on the surface of the boler water.  You get rid of it with patience and by trickling the water out of the skimming port.  The water must be cold!  If the water is hot, then the heat will cause the water and oil to mix, and the oil will no longer be siiting at the water's surface. 

If you want to clean the water from rust, dirt, sediment, etc, then you need to purge the boiler water.  You can also use the skimming port, or the boiler drain (follow your manufacturer's manual).  For this you should use a boiler cleaner (TSP, Scout) and follow the instructions.

Both these things shoud be done on any new installation. and (at least) annually thereafter.  Even on a new installation, in the beginning, you may have to clean it more often because your dirty system will undoubtedly dirty your new boiler.

Can you post some pictures?

Don't mess w/ grandma

@ March 24, 2010 2:03 PM in I'm sorry ma'am, but your tire warranty doesn't cover

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukgOvOB3Qxw

Leaking Coil?

@ March 22, 2010 3:33 PM in Losing hot water

If the coil is currently leaking, wouldn't the boiler be flooding? 

Zoning 1 Pipe Steam Heating Systems

@ March 17, 2010 3:43 PM in Can I "Zone" heat?

http://www.bellgossett.com/literature/files/5501.pdf

Getting to the bottom of this

@ March 17, 2010 3:34 PM in Looking for feedback from this board please

shouldn't be so difficult.  Who are the ones doing the returning?  Are they the professionals, consumers, or the supply stores?  Maybe the supply stores are buying what they think are legitimate goods, and are consequently returning - what they consider to be - defective products.  Shouldn't Lee refuse to accept these fake goods, or at least inform the returners that the goods are fake.  If the products look as good as the legitimate ones, maybe the suppliers, or even the wholesalers don't know (though I find this hard to believe.) 

Flow control valves.

@ March 17, 2010 2:07 PM in Balancing Valve vs. Ball Valve

Globe valves are used for flow control; Ball valves are meant for isolation (shutoffs).

Strictly Hydronics

@ March 17, 2010 2:04 PM in QUESTION: Should we open a section on the Wall for Domestic Hot Water?

I vote for a section that deals specifically with hot water heating issues (just like you have one for radiant and steam heat).  Right now, hot water heating issues are shared mainly on the main wall.  However, isn't the mail wall a general section where all subjects (dhw, steam, heating, co, hwh, etc.) are addressed?  I don't think we need a dhw section, I think we need a section for Strictly Hydronics.

Plywood over concrete.

@ March 12, 2010 3:43 PM in Quik Trak Installation

The proper way to add a subfloor to a basement concrete floor is by first installing a vapor barrier.  Then install (at least) one layer of 2" rigid foam.  And then install (at least) one layer of plywood.  This is the recommended "floating" type subfloor for basements.  And code doesn't allow untreated wood to be installed over concrete.

steam to hot water conversion

@ March 12, 2010 11:21 AM in Changing heating system

Thanks again Chris for that invaluable link. 

Question:  In a steam to hot water heat conversion (using existing ci boiler & radiators and installing new supply/return lines), is it better to go with a larger impeller/waterways circulator (like the B&G series 100)?  I understand that a good dirt separator is required, but will that be enough to help keep the pump from clogging with radiator debris?    

Slantfin heat loss

@ March 12, 2010 8:59 AM in Buderus GB142 vs Burnham Alpine

Ed,

How were you able to access the slantfin heat loss program?  (Their heat loss software link is not working.)

Reducing Tee in Header

@ March 6, 2010 8:01 PM in New to steam a couple of Q's

The purpose of the header is to allow the drier steam to go up and to allow any condensed near boiler water to drain back into the boiler.  The bottom of the header should be pitched toward the returning elbow without any obstruction.  Visualize how water will always collect right at the bottow of that reducing tee.  Since this water has no place to go, some of it will undoubtedly go up with the steam.  And this reduces the system efficiency.

The Hartford Loop's main function is to protect the boiler from a dry firing situation in the event of a wet return leak.  The lwco protects the boiler regardless of how the boiler is losing water.

Steam to Hot Water conversion valves.

@ March 6, 2010 7:20 PM in Changing heating system

Steam to Hot Water conversion valves.

@ March 6, 2010 7:20 PM in Changing heating system

Interesting link.  Can you explain how these valves help protect the boiler from radiator gunk in a steam to hot water conversion?  Also, what advantage does a hydro separator/low loss header offer in this application?