Heating Help

THanks

@ November 22, 2010 6:37 PM in Wilo Iso Valves

Steve,
  I will forward you a picture from the defective valve in action. I am going to go change them tomorrow night. The valve was not leaking at the gasket. It was leaking from the press on the solder side. Only leaked when turning on and off the valve.
Thanks
AL

More then just 1.25"

@ November 22, 2010 5:26 PM in Wilo Iso Valves

The valves I have installed are 3/4". So your problem is a little more wide spread then you think.  I am happy to hear you are taking responsibility for your valves. (unlike r and w). The biggest issue I have with this is my supply house where I purchased the valves had no idea and told me to just bring them back for a credit. I can't believe theses valves had a known problem, remained on the shelf, got sold, and my supply house knows nothing about it. Its hard enough making money theses days let alone having defective product.
Disgusted Installer
AL

Hot water flow rates......

@ November 21, 2010 11:42 PM in New Construction Game Plan

I installed this exact boiler in a very large horse barn last winter. I was quite impressed with the boiler and hotwater capabilities. But you having three tennants I would be real careful with the hotwater heater needs. Even with a good mixing valve that is required by quietside you will be hard pressed to flow enough hotwater for 2 showers at 1.5 gal per min and a washmachine dish washer etc.....
But as far as the quietside being able to heat the building will be no problem.

Corn burning boiler add on

@ November 21, 2010 11:29 PM in Corn burning boiler add on

Here goes. 8 years ago I converted an old 2 pipe steam system to a hotwater system for a friend of mine. He called the other day and told me he purchased a corn fired boiler and wants to add it for his primary heating system and leave the L.P fired boiler in place for back up. I also plan on adding a DHW for him and his growing family.  I have been contemplating how to pipe and control the boilers.
Here are my thoughts. I was going to take his original piping and make it a loop with a supply pump. Put my closely spaced tees in with 4 sets of tees off the loop tees. #1 for corn boiler #2 LP boiler #3 DHW #4 Heat disipator loop to radiators in basement. Required by corn boiler manufacturer.
I am coming to a loss for controlling all my needs. I don't think I am going to need priority for DHW since there is no way to fire the corn boiler on and off. Its always gonna be on. The disipator loop is controlled from the corn boiler and should be easy. And the second boiler will only need to be fired for DHW in the summer and back up heat. Should I just install a second thermostat on the wall for LP boiler or should I control that with an aquastat.
Anyone have any experience with this set up.
Thanks
AL

Spend Alot Now or Later

@ November 21, 2010 11:05 PM in snow melting

Spending alot on a control now will save you in the long run. I like the tekmar 665 with in slab sensor. It gives you lots of options and along with a 265 will give you outdoor reset for your boiler also.

Brand

@ November 21, 2010 10:55 PM in Tankless experiences

I have had great experience with Noritz and Takagi. I have found homes with good water softners really help with the longevity of any tankless. Takagi customer support is probably the best reaching knowlegable agents and quick ship on parts if there is a problem. Noritz customer support takes for ever to get someone to answer but is good at getting parts out.

Wilo Iso Valves

@ November 21, 2010 10:44 PM in Wilo Iso Valves

Has anyone had problems with the wilo iso valves. I installed two sets this saturday on a job I drove 100 miles to get to and 2 of the 4 valves leaked. They leaked from the press joint and only leaked while turning on or off the valve. Did not leak with valve in the on or off position. I normally use B&G valves but my supply house was making a switch to wilo. (profit margins in mind i'm sure). Give me your experience feedback with theses valvles.
Thanks
AL

Valve

@ November 21, 2010 10:39 PM in Tempering valve water not hot enough

The first thing I would check is the rating on the valve. Is it even approved for domestic hot water. What is the flow rate. Is it thermostatic. I have been using a similar product made by watts that is a thermostatic valve. Meaning, as the water temp from the supply goes down it will not mix as much giving you a constant temp going to your domestic mixed water supply. If you valve is thermostatic and approved for domestic water and has a temp range of 100 to 160 my guess is there is debris caught in the valve and needs to be cleaned. I have not seen any defective valves right from the factory so the best bet is there is something caught in the valve.
AL

Calculate Therms Required per day for House

@ March 3, 2010 9:34 AM in Calculate Therms Required per day for House

Is there a formula or way to calculate the therms used per day in a 1200 sq ft house that has a heat load of 22,000 btu's. The house temperature was set to 55 degrees. I have an actual gas meter reading, which i don't think are right.

Therms

@ March 3, 2010 9:24 AM in Therms

I was wondering if there is a formula or way to calculate how many therms of gas a 1200 sq ft house would use to maintain a 55 degree temperature. House is tight construction with double pane windows. Lots of sun exposure.

Uponor UTC internet control

@ January 18, 2010 8:22 PM in Uponor UTC internet control

Has anyone else out there installed a Uponor UTC controll system. I put one on a 15 Zone system with HRV, Furnace back up, Air Conditioner. Let me know your thoughts on this. It controlls temperature with three way modulating mixing vales. Honeywell zone valves and other misc stuff. It has been working just fine just not sure its worth all the cash. Let me know your thoughts.
AL

Part

@ January 18, 2010 8:18 PM in Can you help me identify this part?

Thats an inducer motor for an Inter City Products 80% Furnace.
Heil or Tempstar
NTC6 model possibly the NTC5 also.
From around 96 to 99 they made this one.
The new ones are made out of diecast and are interchangable.

Engineers Need to Stay Away

@ January 18, 2010 10:25 AM in Interesting applicatin of Boiler to Geo system.

 We have been doing Geothermal for 4 yrs now and have taken our lumps by referring to manufacturer's recommendations on installs. I am a firm believer the GEO WORLD (not including installers) has no idea of Water to Water installs. Radiant BTU sizing, water flows.  If the initial loop is designed well and is large enough there is absolutely no reason for boiler back up heat on storage tanks unless you are using hot water coils on air handlers. I am in the Chicago area and have earth loops just checked last week still in the 40's.  The sole purpose of a GSHP is to save money. So lets not let some engineer sitting in an office that has absolutely no install experience tell us to add heat to a loop. Lets take it upon ourselves to size the loop correctly and give the job needed not the job based on what the customer wants to spend.
AL

New Radiator

@ January 8, 2010 7:53 AM in Cast Iron Radiator

I still need a new radiator. The old one is broken due to foreclosure. Can anyone help with a new old radiator.

Cast Iron Radiator

@ January 7, 2010 4:18 PM in Cast Iron Radiator

I am in the Chicago area and I am looking for a used cast iron radiator. As this point I can use just about anything. currenty there is a 22"Tallx14"Wx8'L radiator in the room. I can also repipe it a little bit and use a 36"-42" Tall x 10-14Wx 36"-48"L radiator. I had saved dozens of radiators over the years and one day I came to the shop and someone took them all. If anyone has something laying around let me know.
Thanks,
AL Herra