Best Of
Re: Can you combine Energy Kinetics with Rheem hot water tank?
The way the Energy Kinetics boilers produce hot water is extremely efficient due to the use of the brazed plate heat exchanger and the way it uses two circulators to transfer heat from the boiler to the hot water storage tank. Also the low mass of the boiler and the thermal purge feature of the energy manager ensures that as much of the heat created by the fuel you are burning is transferred to with the space you are heating or the hot water storage tank. It's a very slick and well designed system. I would love to have one in my own home. The design of the hot water storage tank also plays a part in the efficiency of the system. I don't know how easily you would be able to convert a different tank to work in the same manner.
I can't comment on what option for producing hot water would be best for you. It depends on fuel costs, electric rates and how much hot water you use. All I can say is that I never get any complaints from my customers about the efficiency of the EK systems. No complaints about running out of hot water either.
Re: Piping for New Steam Boiler
Keep in mind that no one has any evidence to suggest that the MFG minimum piping requirements don't work.
Re: Bosch Stainless steel Condensing Boiler
You don't use a manometer to set these gas valves. You need a combustion analyzer. You can use your manometer to check incoming gas pressure to the gas valve to make sure you're not losing gas pressure. I would not recommend any adjustment without analyzer.
pedmec
Re: Electric water or Indirect water heater?
electric tanks seem to last longer than gas fired, since there is no fire under the tank.
It us tough to guesstimate dhw water usage, it varies widely from family to family Rarely do you hear someone complain about too much hot water
All tanks now have good insulation to meet the energy standard, most are spray foamed no more thin fiberglass wraps
hot_rod
Re: Experiencing a high failure rate with air vents, why?
Make sure the person that re-pipes it knows what they are doing.
mattmia2
Re: Experiencing a high failure rate with air vents, why?
You mention there was some repiping done to a "two pipe system" and now it's a "one pipe system". It's doubtful that this was done and if it was, it's even more doubtful that it was done correctly.
The problems you describe typically result from a poorly piped boiler.
If you post some photos of the pipes above the boiler,plenty of folks here can offer advice and assessment.
Re: Nest Thermostat power issue
Been there, you need to power the nest with full-time 24 V, which would likely require the use of a relay.
Or, run a 4 wire, two of the wires are the power and common, two of the wires are your call for heat.( r and w) . No relay needed in this circumstance.
GW