programmable timer for indirect DHW

Bruce Stevens_2

wasted in the basement as going up the chimney after a call for heat/HW. Might be nice to put that bit of heat somewhere to cool down the boiler, a heat zone is fine in winter but maybe that preheat tank in summer? Just some random thoughts.

Dave MH

programmable timer for indirect DHW

I have a top performer plus - S50TPP indirect oil fired water tank- connected to Burnham oil fired boiler - installed 3 years ago - very happy IN WINTER. The summer cycling of cold furnace every time 2-3 minutes of hot water is called for is bothersome at best - annoying at worst. Cold boiler runs for 20 minutes to heat 3-4-5 gallons in Top Performer ($1.75- $2.50). We are wasting way to much oil to heat up cold furnace before it does any good. - then after Top Performer is satisfied, the 180- degrees in boiler sits there and dissipates it's heat into the basement - another waste.

I currently have setting of boiler at 180 degrees. temp on storage tank at 140 deg - I already have changed the differential setting to 15 degrees. ANY SUGGESTIONS YOU CAN MAKE to lower the number of cycles would help.?

Main question: CAN YOU SUGGEST A 24/7 programmable TIMER THAT CAN BE PUT IN-LINE with the 24V TPI themostat to "intercept" the TPI signal calling for heat. With our usual household usage, this tank arrangement is so wonderful in heat loss, that we could easily go 2 days without firing the boiler -IF we can put a timer on it.

I am also going to install some form of "pre-heat" to help raise the incoming well water temp. Probably an old water tank - stripped off insualtion and put inline with incoming line - then also, will be adding some form of solar flat panel that will be a closed loop to another (used) Superstor 40gal tank with exchanger.

Thank-you in advance for your help

Brad White_189

I use

a small 7-day Intermatic digital timer, about $30 and which fits in a "Decora" plate box by the way, to control my indirect. A switch is a switch at that level and it works for the 24V signal from the aquastat.

I cycle it at least once a day though to avoid Legionella taking hold. Don't let it go fallow for a week in other words. Great if your tank holds for two days- cycle accordingly.

As for the bare tank, why not. In summer though you may have condensation and in winter, no one is pretending that the heat is free. It comes from your house albeit over time. Maybe call it a form of indirect geothermal as the first heat is from the basement walls if above incoming water temperature?

jp_2

solar & electric

I would think about a solar preheat, and an electric tank to finish what the solar couldn't do. or pull the solar heated water through a electric on demand water heat to "top off" the water temp.

sounds like a large waste of oil here, ok in winter, bad during non heating months.

hot_rod

In many areas solar will

provide 70% of DHW needs if properly sized. With state and federal rebates it might be a good choice.

You will still need a backup DHW, and as JP mentioned electric tom back up them solar in summer months may be the best option.

A well designed solar with quality components should provide your DHW for 30 years, maybe more.

hr