Heating Help

Moen

@ May 12, 2013 3:03 PM in Need opinions on kitchen faucet brands

I would go with a Moen faucet with a pull out sprayer.You could go with a single hole mount and use a soap dispenser and instant hot water dispenser or a filtered water dispenser, or you could just go with a three hole mount pull out sprayer faucet. I am a Moen fan because of the simple cartridge design that has not changed in 50? years.
Rob

The dog?

@ May 12, 2013 2:50 PM in Steam at Work

If you noticed, the dog was missing about half of its tail. I hope OSHA never sees this video :)

One thing you left out Gordy

@ May 5, 2013 11:44 AM in Lesson learned NEVER let the wife tag along to the home show

3. No, those jeans don't make you look fat:)

Picture this

@ May 2, 2013 12:57 PM in what size boiler woul you recommend?

A 40,000 BTU boiler in combination with your Amtrol tank (properly installed) will give you more hot water than a conventional 50 gallon gas water heater. A 50 gallon conventional water heater will typically supply enough hot water for a 2 1/2 bath single family home.
Just putting it in lay-mans terms. Don't worry! size the boiler to the heat load of the home, you'll do just fine. Just pick the right installer.
Rob

Point being

@ May 1, 2013 1:09 PM in CPVC

That's my point! I started this thread so as not to hijack the "Three year old Navian replacement thread". Many manufactures, including Navian, spec PVC or CPVC. Inspectors in my area would fail an inspection if you did NOT use the manufacturers specified venting material. However, what I am wondering is what is worse in terms of chlorides, PVC (as it has less chlorides but a lower temp rating) or CPVC (which has higher chlorides but a higher temp rating)?
Rob

CPVC

@ May 1, 2013 11:33 AM in CPVC

A question about CPVC venting. Although CPVC has a higher temp rating than PVC (and PVC is suspected of leaching chlorides and damaging stainless steel heat exchangers) CPVC stands for chlorinated polyvinyl chloride. This would infer that CPVC contains MORE chlorides than PVC. Combining moisture and heat through either of these materials is bound to create some leaching/ off-gassing of chlorides, especially given the fact that the condensate is designed to drain back to the boiler. So, having less chlorides, wouldn't PVC make a better (less damaging) venting material? (granting that it manufactures approved). 
Just a thought,
Rob 

Photos

@ April 25, 2013 12:13 PM in Vitodens 100-W temp setting question

Can you post photos of the boiler and boiler piping? It will help in ensuring piping / pumping issues are not at fault. The more photos the better.
Rob

Not Sure?

@ April 19, 2013 1:55 PM in Does anyone make a mini-split with 8 indoor units and 1 each 4-ton heat pump unit, 3-phase?

I'm not sure that I fully understand you question. You might check out Mitsubishi City Multi though.
Rob

Joke?

@ April 17, 2013 11:46 AM in This caught my eye...

Icesailor, I was making a joke, lighten up!

Come on guys

@ April 13, 2013 12:31 PM in This caught my eye...

It's only $200 bucks:)

Good for you!

@ April 13, 2013 11:57 AM in Never Cleaned Munchkin 80M

I'm glad that you found a qualified tradesman to take care of your system. The "coffee grounds" is quite normal for a system that has not been regularly serviced, and yes, a laptop can and should be hooked up to check the previous error codes. I'm glad that you listened to the advice given on this site, it probably saved you a few thousand dollars.
P.S. Keep up the annual maintenance
Rob

Turbomax?

@ April 12, 2013 12:08 PM in Lochinvar 55-DHW Options

If your worried about domestic hot water running out you might want to look at the Tubomax reverse indirect. The Turbomax 23 is only 49" high and 18" deep but will keep them with enough hot water to not worry about a callback.
Just an idea.
Rob

PRV

@ April 12, 2013 5:21 AM in Never Cleaned Munchkin 80M

What was the initial problem that you called the service company about? It sounds like the relief valve may have blown (expansion tank?). The exhaust regurgitation is not good, but where I live the wind changes as quickly as my wife's moods, one day east, one day west. Get a qualified tech out there to asses your system and go from there. Do not use the same company and ask for a different tech, they will probably just try to reaffirm  the first techs diagnosis to cover their butt.
Use the "find a contractor" section on this site and make sure that you let them know the the type of equipment that you have and that they bring a tune up kit and combustion analyser. If you can't find a contractor from the "find a contractor" let us know, post your location and I'm sure someone can be recommended.
Rob 

Another Idea

@ April 3, 2013 12:33 PM in Infloor Radiant Heat issue

How about using a glycol solution for the radiant, install a tankless gas water heater (you will now get the dual fuel rate). A tankless water heater can be drained down in under a minute. Get a good plumber over to show you how to drain down and winterize the rest of the plumbing system. In a small place like that, draining the system should take no more than 15 minutes. Then you can just kill power to the home while it is unoccupied. USING NO FUEL!.
Just Another idea.
Rob 

Pex System

@ March 28, 2013 12:19 PM in Installing a new hot water system myself

Hey Bobbito, could you post some pictures of your system? I am always interested in seeing heating systems piped in PEX only.
Rob

Pump oriantation

@ March 27, 2013 1:02 PM in Sandy still haunts my home!

On the back of the pumps (cast into the body) there is an arrow indicating flow direction. Which way are the arrows pointing, up or down?
Rob

DIY Project

@ March 27, 2013 12:20 PM in Hydronic heating retrofit project using Viessmann boiler and steel rads

You might consider hiring a consultant to assist you in your project. He can do a piping layout and help you in sizing the proper system. He can probably help you in acquiring equipment as well. One such company is Northeast Radiant Technology. NRTRob runs that company and posts here quite frequently and is very knowledgeable. It can't hurt to make a phone call.
http://nrtradiant.com/ 
Rob

BFP

@ March 24, 2013 11:55 AM in Backflow preventer with vent

I agree with Charlie. If someone plugs a leaking relief valve (we've all seen or heard of it) a couple of things could happen, If the system supply is shut off the person has created a bomb. If the supply is open and a non-RPZ installed the back pressure can blow the checks and start using the potable side as the expansion tank. It's rare, but not unheard of. To quote Steamhead "you can't fix stupid".
Rob

Relief valve

@ March 23, 2013 4:02 PM in Pressure rising to 60psi

On top of what Ice said, that relief valve shoud have never let the boiler get above 30 psi (unless it is a rare system that is rated higher). Check the relief valve as well.
Rob

Air

@ March 23, 2013 2:18 PM in Slower taco pump?

Are you sure that you don't have air in the system? One simple thing to try is Mark Eathertons trick. Add a pint of Dawn dish washing liquid to the boiler water and let it run for a few days. Bleed the system accordingly and see what happens. The worst case is your out for the cost of the Dawn and a little bit of your time. The fact that you hear water rushing in only one area sounds like an air issue to me.
Rob 

Tankless Heaters

@ March 23, 2013 12:07 PM in Off-Season Savings?

This would be an ideal situation for tankless water heaters. They only operate on demand and most have built in freeze protection. The propane savings would pay for the units rather quickly and if you choose to drain them down, it takes about two minutes!
Rob

Gastite

@ March 21, 2013 5:45 PM in gastite fittings

As with any CSST manufacturer you need to be certified to install their product. Most manufacturers reps do the training classes, however your wholesaler should not be selling you the product without certification. Get certified before you end up hurting someone. The certification is free, you will get a card stating that you are certified on the product. If a wholesaler sold you the product without a cert they are messing with the devil.