Best Of
Re: Trying to decide on a system...
Depends how handy your are with modern electronics & motherboard stuff....Many folks 45 & under are very good with basic computer programming & noodling around and can quickly learn their high tech equipment.
If that is the case, and you feel froggy, jump on the Mod Con, they are excellent. If you're not, & you don't have a local company that can work on it, stay with traditional atmospheric equipment. Mad Dog
Re: Adding Hydronic run to existing system
Those 4 lines go to the garage? If so pressurize them first to be sure they do not have any leaks.
hot_rod
Re: Indirect water heater operation sequence
Be careful with DHW set that high, caution guests, especially small children, elderly adults, to the hot water being "hot" It only takes a few seconds to get a burn at 135°
Most single handle tub shower faucets have a temperature function now a days.
Piping looks fine for maximum input from boiler to tank.
hot_rod
Re: Indirect water heater operation sequence
From what you're saying, when the aquastat calls for heat, it sends 24 volts to the Honeywell zone valve to open. Once open, the end switch on the Honeywell zone valve closes and turns on the boiler. And there's no priority. If you have plenty of hot water during the heating season, maybe you don't need a priority control scheme.
Re: Recommendation for highly reliable natural gas water heater?...
Hi, My approach isn't brand dependent. I'd make sure heater I got had a full, non pro-rated warranty, and hopefully good support where you are. I'd get only a six year warranty. I'd make sure the tank I got was able to accept a second, full length magnesium anode rod, and make sure the rod it comes with is magnesium, or is changed out to one. I'm not a fan of having aluminum in tap water. Beyond setting up the tank, I'd make sure the tank lived at water pressures in the 40 to 60 psi range without any big fluctuations. Finally, I'd make sure it got clean air for combustion. These days, replacing a tank can run thousands of dollars, which is why I try to keep older tanks that are in good shape, going. 😊
Yours, Larry
Re: Indirect water heater operation sequence
You might be interested in "Thermal Purge". The L8148A is an analogue control. there is no "Brain" or "Logic" in that control to "Decide" to leave the burner off. It is as efficient at what it does with the limitations of analogue technology.
Energy Kinetics is a company that understands your idea of "Wasted Energy" as you stated in your original post. They have built into the electronics of the control that replaces the Aquastat Relay, a logic that actually shuts off the oil burner (or Gas burner) early and keeps the zone valve open (in your case) or zone circulator pumping to "Purge" the boiler of that 160° heat into the last zone that calls for heat. That way the boiler won't be left at 180° or 160° at the end of the previous cycle to slowly cool off my letting all the heat from the boiler exit up the chimney. The hot boiler water will be circulated into the water heater or space heat zone for a predetermined amount of time calculated by the control's onboard software. This is only one of the ways that System 2000 and other EK boilers reduce operating cost compared to the boiler brand that you have.
All that said, there is a way to build a holding circuit to purge the left over heat in your Weil McLain into the system, but it can get tricky when you have zones. Some others with single zone systems have had some success with lowering their fuel consumption as much as 5 to 7% using DIY thermal purge. @jesmed1 is one that comes to mind in this post
Re: J.P. Ward
I haven't herd anything but I would guess it is true.
Look at what the supply houses are selling:
Propress Copper
Pex of all types
PVC & ABS & Poly
Gas Tite and other CSST
Not only that but a lot of the black and galvanized pipe being sold gets put together with Victaulic, Megapress and welded fittings.
Re: Hartford Loop design origin
The Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company (HSB) is a global specialty insurer and reinsurer headquartered in Hartford, Connecticut. Back in 1919 they invented the Hartford loop. By 1919 HSB got tired of paying for all those steam boiler failure claims and mandated all boilers that were insured by HSB to have the piping design they invented or they would not cover the boiler. HSB was founded in 1866 by members of a group known as the Polytechnic Club.
Re: Recommendation for highly reliable natural gas water heater?...
BW seems to hold up the best.
Re: Hartford Loop design origin
it is just a trap with a vent to keep it from forming a syphon.




