Radiant Heat run by water heater trouble

Gordy

First if you recently bought the home, and this is the first heating season....I would be looking for the seller or real estate company for a resolution to your problem. Home warranty?

Then weigh in the cost of a KWH for electric.

If you are at 10 cents a KWH gas would be cheaper to heat with.

Granted you are heating a small dwelling but a boiler of the modulating condensing variety would save loads of money verses a water heater over the long term.

Next look into how long the gas companies projections are to run you a service. If its see ya next year. Then tie in the other element on the water heater. Hopefully that will provide enough boost to heat. Grin, and bear it till spring then re group on the heat source.

Gordy

annie y

radiant heat run by water heater trouble

I recently bought a house in july that has an inslab radiant heat system run by a water heater. now that it is getting COLD we are realizing that the system is not working as it should. local plumbers have diagnosed the system as being underpowered by the water heater (they said it puts out 15,000btu, while our 1100 sq ft home needs approx 40,000 btu of power to heat). we are only able to heat one of the two zones at a time, if both are engaged, they both heat very little. if only one engaged pipes seem functional and heat. they are suggesting we get an electrician to wire another wire to the second element of the water heater so that both come on simultaneously, thus adding an additional 15000 btu to the equation. my question is: is this really the best answer? won't our already high electric bill be skyhigh? (our house is 100% electric) or is there another better solution? do we need to invest in a boiler system? is an electric boiler cost effective? thank you for any help you may be able to offer!

kpc_40

whre are you....

and what is the eletric rate? Short term solution may be the dual wiring of the elements. Is nat. gas available? a condensing boiler would be perfect for the slab but it is not a cheap one... How long do you plan to be there is the question. ..if you are going to move out soon maybe the short term answer works...

annie y

in colorado

we live in rural colorado....and we plan on being here for awhile. how much does a condensing boiler cost? i think we can get natural gas run to the house, others in the neighborhood have it.

Charlie from wmass

You will need to get quotes from local contractors. Have you used the pro finder on this site? Yes more heat equals more electricity. double powerout uses double power in. A gas boiler set by a qualified contractor should save you money in the long run or at least heat your home for no more than you are spending now and being cold. There may also be rebates with local utility companies for converting to gas.

Paul Pollets

Der Heatmeister

Try and find Richard Graves, he's one of the best!! Hopefully he'll pup up on this thread by magic!!

To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"

nicholas bonham-carter

hot water heater

if you have access to wood for no cost, it might be possible to supplement your electric water heat with a wood fired boiler.
--nbc

Glen

consider an electric boiler

they have come a long way in the last few years and some stage themselves to adapt to the heat load.

Jamie Hall

but if you are thinking of wood

check your local air quality regulations; in some parts of Colorado they are pretty tough on wood heat (for good reason)

Plumdog_2

Rural Colorado

Propane may be in your future. Have the local LP company set you up with price comparison vs electricity. Used to be LP was about half to a third of the expense of electricity. But it has risen a lot in recent years. Where in rural Co. are you? I have helped rural Co. people with Hot Water Heat that relied on Solar PV and windmills, and they run TV and computer as well!

bruce_21

Some electric co.s have a reduced night time rate and a special meter to track it. Often especially available to 100% electric homes. Since most of your electric usage is at night for heating it can save you a lot. Check with your utility.

Derheatmeister

Breckenridge/Alma/Vail...

Annie y,I am in Summit County, The Dillon/Breckenridge area.

I also Service/Install in some of the Park county areas and even have some systems in Camp Hale and Redcliff Leadville..

Were are you located? Heatmeister.