domestic hot water preheater

Frank M. Tricarico

I have a new Perrless gas fired low pressure steam boiler for heating only. I also have an oil fired hot water heater. What do you guys think of installing a heating coil in the gas boiler - no controls. Cold water goes through the gas boiler and into the oil fired hot water heater. If the gas boiler is on it will preheat the water proior to going into the hot water heater - save a lot of waisted energy. When the gas boiler is off - the water just passes through the coil and into the hot water heater for normal heating. I have to get the model of the gas boiler and contact the manufacturer but hoped someone could comment on this idea.

Thanks

kevin coppinger_4

I think that....

you will find there is no tankless heater coil available for the boiler...usually only in oil boilers. kpc

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Al Letellier_9

prheat

Sure. If you can get a coil in that boiler. You didnt' mention the model. If not, you could use a sidearm heater or a plate heat exchanger. Just remember that if you draw water while the boiler is makig steam, you will reduce the BTU"S availble to make the steam. Make sure the boiler can handle the additional load, or use a priority controller.

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Frank M. Tricarico

Thanks for your help.

I found the information - the unit is a Peerless Series 62-11. The literature that came with the unit offers a tankless water heater coil. It looks pretty good. Three coils from 5.25 to 6.5 gpm starting at about $300 list.

The dealer did not think my idea was good since I would only be capturing additional hot water when the boiler was on and not when demand was on. A hit and miss operation.

I know about Aquastats but am not sure how to go about installing this.

I'm a home owner but also an engineer that designs and build boilers for power station 50-800 mw.

Before I hire somebody to do this work it's my nature to understand how and what is required to do this job.

Thanks

J.C.A._3

Some....

Of the older homes I've worked in had a plain steel or galvanized tank sitting in the basement, usually near a big ole boiler to use as a kind of pre-heater. With your having a new boiler, it would help some, but no too much.

Like Al pointed out, you'll be robbing your heat on a long call for hot water, but if the boiler is oversized (as most are!) you won't hurt it too much.

Why not go "whole hog" and find out if there are tappings for an indirect? Is the cost of gas as or more reasonable than oil in your area? Big consideration. Chris