Recent Install Pix

Roland_4

Thanks for your comments Glenn. I may have a struggle getting the heating contractor back to install the drain T and the 45 degree elbow. I had a much more serious issue with a non-functioning (poorly installed) LWCO device which the contractor refused to address,but that was resolved. Do I needthe drain T as the horizontal run from the boiler to the outdoor termination is relatively short (less than 4 feet)? Also can I purchase the 45 Degree elbow myself? Thanks again, Roland

Roland_4

Recent Install Pix-Please Critique

This system was recently installed (September) in my home. It consists of a Burnham PVG-4 boiler and Super Stor Ultra DHW of 35 gallon capacity. How did the installers do? Only gripe I have is that sometimes I run out of hot water first thing in the morning. Thanks, Roland....

Norm Harvey

The install looks average. I won't speak for the gas line or venting but here are some things I would have done differently. The install is not terrible, its average.

I would have:

-Put the circulator on the supply, after the expansion tank.
-Located the air scoop on a longer horizontal run (18 pipe diameters so for 1.25 inch pipe it would be 22.5 inches)
-Neaten up the electrical
-Install a low water cut off
-Put the boiler and indirect on 4 inch concrete blocks
-Run the domestic piping as not to obstruct the window
-Install a therostatic mixing valve on the domestic lines to store hotter water in the indirect to kill Legionella
-Put isolation valves on the boiler side of the fill valve and the expansion tank.


Depending on where you live I dont see anything about the installation (not commenting on the gas or venting) that would not be code. I rate it a "C"

We all do things differently, these are just my personal opinions.


As far as your running out of hot water in the morning,.. what temprature are you storing the tank at? 120? Also if your boiler has a high limit only, when the aquastat calls for hot water, if the circulator starts at the same time you will essentially be chilling your domestic water by circulating cold water through the coil. I would install a thermostatic mixing valve to store hotter water, and run the circulator through a stap on aquastat so that the circulator wont run untill the water in the boiler is about 140 degrees.

Norm Harvey
Independent Burner Service

Chas_2

Agreement with norm

I agree with norm on the pump location and air scoop and also the use of steel pipe for the water feed this should all be copper or brass over time that steel will rust and plug your prv or better yet plug your connection to your expansion tank ,i also did not notice weather they installed a thermostatic mixing valve for your domestic hot water tank also you should have had a portable expansion tank installed on your cold water feed line to your indirect it will elimate thermal expansion from taking place in your domestic tank ,take a look at the installation and operation insrtuction that comew with the indirect other then that it's all average and whenthe time come s for pump replacement isolation valves would have cut that service calls time in half ,peace and good lucl clammy

chris_93

venting

I don't think the venting is legit. Page 11 in the installation manual. To my knowledge the vent is suppose to be 4' from the basement window. Someone opens the basement window flue gas will blow right in. Also has to be 12" from corner of bldg. ie: chimney.

What about fireproof sheetrock above the boiler as well??

I wouldn't have piped the tank across the window either.
This looks like a typical "keyspan" install.?? But that is just my 2 cents..

Roland_4

Thanks for your input Norm. I wish I had found this site before having this installation done. I would have been much better informed. There is a LWCO in this system, it's just kind of hard to see in the picture. It's the black cylinder at the end of the curly gray wire.

Roland_4

Thanks Clammy,
I discussed some of your observations with the contractor before the install ie. thermostatic mixing valve and expansion tank for DHW. His answer was "you don't need it". I interviewed a half dozen heating contractors(from KEYSPAN website) and this one was the pick of the litter(so to speak). Live and learn. I am going to install the fire rated drywall and will probably brick-up the window. thanks,Roland...

Unknown

Roland

I agree with the pump location issue as well as Indirects perform better with the circulator on the supply side. As far as the venting is concerned, I'm not so concerned about itd orientation to the adjacent chimney as I would be if it were in an alcove or adjacent to an ell of the house. I would advise getting the installer back to install a 45° elbow outside so that the termination fitting is pointing down at an angle. I have attached a drawing from the manual showing that and it is needed to help deflect any prevailing wind.

He will also need to install a Horizontal Drain Tee inside the basement to collect any condensate that may occur in the vent piping. Normally the pipe is pitched downhill to the outside and that would drip out outside the house. With the snorkel venting it will try and drain back to the boiler. You need to get rid of the condensate before it can do that. That pipe should also have slight pitch back to the boiler in order for the condensate to get back in the basement to the drain tee, otherwise you risk it freexing in the ouside elbow on shutdown. I have attached a drawing from the manual about the drain tee as well.



Glenn Stanton

Manager of Technical Development

Burnham Hydronics

U.S. Boiler Co., Inc.

Norm Harvey

I missed one importaint code requirement,...

There is no backflow device installed. Or I cant see one in the pictures.

Unknown

Roland

Yes the drain tee is needed. It's not the short lateral in the basement I am concerned about. It is the snorkel vent outside. Any and all condensate produced while this is both running and off will either accumulate in the piping or come back to the induced drsft fsn, depending on the pitch of the pipe. It should be pitched back to the boiler with a horizontzl drain tee. If you have difficulties getting the guy back then contact your area Keyspan representative.

Glenn Stanton

Manager of Technical Development

Burnham Hydronics

U.S. Boiler Co., Inc.