propane consumption

Paul Pollets

Your heating contractor should be able to share his heat loss calcs for the RFH zone. Uponor-Wirsbo has software for this purpose. Fuel costs can be calculated or estimated from these reports.

Propane is the most expensive fuel. Using HW coils in air handlers will require the boilers to work in the high temp (non-condensing) mode. This will increase fuel usage.

You didn't mention where in NYState. Specifying a boiler system and fuel type is all about demand load and connected loads. I would be very hesitant to spec a condensing boiler where most of the load is non-condensing. To me, that requires an oil-fired boiler, like the Vitola. Oil costs less per BTU, much less than propane. (at the moment)

In Seattle area, I've put the Vitodens into at least 10 homes of the 5-6K SF range. Our design temp is 24 degrees. The homes do not have a high temp load, and use radiant heat exclusively. The yearly fuel cost has been in the $2K range for the year, including the DHW indirect tank. Remember that the design temp may be radically lower in your area.

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Tom Eigo

Near completion of a home with a fairly extensive HVAC system. The heating consisits of two Modulating Veisman condensing boilers. Has 12 zones for radiant floor heating with wirsbo aluminum quick track(1/2") and 5 zones to hydroair air handlers. At this point only the radiant zones are up and running. The home is approx. 5500-6,000 sq.ft and has spray foam closed cell insulation. One of my question is we seem to be going through a large amount of LP gas. We're in upstate NY and the winter has not been that cold. We went through 1000 gallons in one month, is this excessive or out of the ordinary. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Jim Wy.

There are probably alot of workers going in & out during the work day, also doors being left open to take things in & out, or windows being left open to exhaust fuems. So your heat loss is probably alot higher now than it will be when the house is complete.

GW

Where did the heat go

Tom, your plight is very common.

We're in a similar situation; we're doing a job for a like-sized house. I am afraid to see what the heating bills will be, the 160,000 BTU boiler is going non-stop because the workers want it 70F.

The heating guy always gets the "what's up with this" comment.

It's likely the bills will drop significantly when you move in. If they don't, have a blower door test done and an IR camera guy over once you've been assured the Viessmann's are all set.

BTW, how are the two boilers being controlled? Just wondering (that is, how does each one know when to come on?).

My web site goes into this a bit. Many heating guys only know about heat, following a theoretical heat loss calculation. Many builders don't know squat. Many utility backed energy auditors are useless. If the bills remain high next winter, you need an "all-knowing" energy dude. Best of luck.


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