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Hydronic heating system Denver Colorado

tlorenzi
tlorenzi Member Posts: 6
Two questions. Can the pumps go on either the supply or return line? I currently have them on the supply side with  a Rinnai manifold. 2. Why do you need to prime the exhaust before you start up the Rinnai duo tankless.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.
dko

Comments

  • It looks like you've got it right, i.e. pumping away from the expansion tank.

    When you pour a cup or so of water down the exhaust, it fills the condensate trap so that flue gases don't fill the room.
    8.33 lbs./gal. x 60 min./hr. x 20°ΔT = 10,000 BTU's/hour

    Two btu per sq ft for degree difference for a slab
    Rich_49GroundUpIntplm.
  • EdTheHeaterMan
    EdTheHeaterMan Member Posts: 9,404
    The pump acn go on the supply of the return. For years the old dimers installed pumps on the return side of the system. However for years there have been all kinds of problems with getting air in the system, overloaded expansion tanks and poor operation in general. If you get a chance to read @DanHolohan book called Pumping Away, there is a detailed explanation of the benefits of placing the pump on the supply side of the system and pumping away from the expansion tank. It has a lot to do with the physics of water including Boyle's Law and Henry's Law on the absorption of gasses in liquids based on pressure and temperature changes.

    Or you could just take our word for it and place the pumps on the supply side with the expansion tank between the pump and the boiler with a way to eliminate air at that point.

    Edward Young Retired

    After you make that expensive repair and you still have the same problem, What will you check next?

    Mad Dog_2Rich_49exqheat
  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 10,955
    There is an article on this web site too:
    https://heatinghelp.com/systems-help-center/pumping-away-piping/
    Mad Dog_2
  • Mad Dog_2
    Mad Dog_2 Member Posts: 7,519
    TLorenzi ...is this your first Rinnai Unit for heating? Are you happy with them?  I've installed many of the Domestic water 💧 heaters with zero issues, just never used for Hydronic Space heating yet. I'd like to revisit them.  Thanks for the input.  Mad Dog 🐕 
    tlorenzi
  • HVACNUT
    HVACNUT Member Posts: 6,340
    The secondary manifold looks like it's reduced in size from the primary manifold. Is that what the manual says to do? 

    Nice neat job though. 
    Gonna run copper to the ceiling before the pex connections are made to keep it neat?
    tlorenzi
  • tlorenzi
    tlorenzi Member Posts: 6
    Thanks for all the input great information. Not sure how to answer individual comments, but this my first Rinnai duo. I have used for DHW in the past with great success
  • tlorenzi
    tlorenzi Member Posts: 6
    This is what I have been modeling my install after. Probably a little over kill
  • Derheatmeister
    Derheatmeister Member Posts: 1,581
    Why so many circulating pumps ? :/
    Do you have 40.000 sqft.
    Rich_49
  • dko
    dko Member Posts: 668
    I've changed teams recently in favor of zoning with zone valves in most residential builds, though it does hurt the bottom line a little not selling more pumps.
    exqheat
  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 23,412
    Why so many circulating pumps ? :/ Do you have 40.000 sqft.
    About 800W worth, no need to fire the boiler on mild heating days😗

    Each one running about 20- 25% wire to water efficiency?
    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
    Derheatmeister
  • HomerJSmith
    HomerJSmith Member Posts: 2,635
    edited July 2023
    So, you are going to have 5 thermostats? I think your supply piping should be 1-1/4" In Denver in the dead of winter all your circuits will most likely be running. The returns are 3/4" ? Since you are zoning with circulators, how do you know what the flow rates in gpm in each circuit? I use balancing valves on the return to set the gpm. You also need check valves to prevent ghost flows. Also it is good to have shut off valves with a hose bibb to isolate circuits and make filling the sys easier. I guess you are going to use a relay panel to manage the thermostats and pumps. I would put a Webstone valve with hose bibb at the top of the X-Tank. There is going to be air trapped there.


    exqheat
  • tlorenzi
    tlorenzi Member Posts: 6
    Thanks for all your comments. Very much appreciated
  • exqheat
    exqheat Member Posts: 194
    With that much demand, one would want the largest possible manifold to allow for flow when many pumps are on.
    John Cockerill Exquisite Heat www.exqheat.com Precisions boiler control from indoor reset.
  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 23,412
    The header size depends on how many gpm you need to supply all the zones. Its possible that 1" is adequate.
    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
    GGross
  • exqheat
    exqheat Member Posts: 194
    Why not use what is available? To run on lower temps, circulation will be high.
    John Cockerill Exquisite Heat www.exqheat.com Precisions boiler control from indoor reset.
  • tlorenzi
    tlorenzi Member Posts: 6
    Finally have the entire hydronic heating system complete at my daughter's house in Denver but am intimidated by the startup procedure for the Rinnai Duo. Seems like a lot of steps to get it started.

    Any suggestions?
  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 24,878
    First thing, which may not be in the manual, make sure that you all the air purged out of the system and that the cold fill pressure is correct.

    From there I'd say to follow the manual...
    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
  • tlorenzi
    tlorenzi Member Posts: 6
    Thanks.
  • psb75
    psb75 Member Posts: 906
    Rinnai boilers have an initial de-aeration cycle in the start-up/commissioning stage. It starts as soon as you power-up the boiler and be aware it happens each time you power-up. You can override that function
    with a special code (provided). The manual has a proscribed commissioning proceedure.