modine hydronic unit heaters

smp74

On a new system I requested that one be installed for my basement zone. Installer spec'd a 18k btu unit (HC18). It looks nice, but the rating is based on 2.5 PSI steam. It looks like with my mod-con boiler, output will be more like on the order of 5k - 10k btu at 140-180F. This is in a 800 sq ft basement, all open, mostly below grade. I fear that it won't keep up or have any room for recovery.

I'm looking at having it swapped out to a Modine HHD-30. This looks like it is designed for residential installations and can work properly with lower supply temps due to much larger heat exchanger. It also has a much quieter fan.

Does anyone have experience with the HHD-30 unit or have any advice as to the actual performance I can expect from the HC18?

Steamhead

What is the heat loss of that basement space?

smp74

The slantfin calculator has it at about 15k @ 0F (southeast MA).

Steamhead

The HC-18 won't do it. Not familiar with the HHD-30, but it has enough capacity to work in your system, so unless a red flag pops up somewhere I'd say go for it.

smp74

Thanks Steamhead. I'll see how far I can get with the installer on this. It is quite a bit wider than the HC18 unit, but there is plenty of space to mount it.

Rich_49

That thing is an ugly monster . is the basement finished or like a shop / storage area ?
You should look into Smiths Environmental PSU40 . @ 130* it'll give you 14,204 and at 140* , 17,000 . Quiet too .

http://smithsenvironmental.com/products/profile-fan-convector/

Rich_49

The high efficiency , low temp ratings are here

smp74

Yep, the Modine is ugly, no doubt. The basement is, and will remain, unfinished as a workshop / storage. It's too small to start walling it off. The Smith unit does look nice, thank you for that option. It would, however take up wall space which may be an issue for my shelving and workbench. I'll try to remember to take a picture of the current setup for further eval and post here.

hot_rod

If a fast warm up is one of the requirements, no question a forced convector is king.

Maybe look into a kickspace type heater, or two in a wall cabinet, they are much quieter.

Or a small air handler, anything with a squirrel cage blower will be much quieter.

smp74

Fast warm up is definitely a factor. I do not intend to keep the basement zone on all the time. That HHD30 unit does have a squirrel cage blower setup. Two wall mount unit heaters would be nice as well, but space is still an issue.