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Replacement rec? Hydronic system

Hi! I’m right outside of Baltimore, MD and need to replace my 12 year old triangle tube challenger solo boiler. I wanted to replace with a cast iron boiler but that seems to be not recommended since I have only hydronic radiant heat through the floors. Any suggestions on contractors or what I should put back in? Here are photos of my current setup (and parts graveyard of this triangle tube and its many challenges every year).

Comments

  • GroundUp
    GroundUp Member Posts: 2,085

    It's really hard to see whether or not it's piped correctly, but any locally supported mod/con is probably going to be the most cost effective long term. A cast iron boiler can absolutely be piped to properly operate with low temp radiant, just at the cost of lower efficiency.

    LRCCBJ
  • Lance
    Lance Member Posts: 302

    Ground Up, Cast iron is a good choice with the right brand, but your radiant design temp may demand otherwise. I recommend a Bradford White or a Rinnai wall hung boiler to replace your existing. Both come with an internal circulator that will work with a proper primary / secondary piped system design. I own a Rinnai, that does both DHW and Heat. Both are great boilers. But there are many great boilers out there to consider. We install multiple brands as supply and demand is always changing. Your choice of contractor would have to adapt the changes necessary to make it work. If you want further contact with me for information you can email me at LBent@Melroys.com. We have been in business since 1969.

    Best regards, Lance Bent

    GroundUp
  • Ironman
    Ironman Member Posts: 7,537
    edited November 29

    @Steamhead

    This is who you need to contact.

    Bob Boan
    You can choose to do what you want, but you cannot choose the consequences.
    SuperTech
  • tacoenthusiast
    tacoenthusiast Member Posts: 2

    Thank you! Left a message with All Steamed Up and @Steamhead

    Thanks for the suggestions.

    SuperTech
  • HomerJSmith
    HomerJSmith Member Posts: 2,628

    I just replaced a Lochinvar mini-fin that was about 30 yrs old with a Laars mini-fin in a primary/secondary with an indirect on a radiant flr sys. It had side wall venting. I was very pleased. Things to consider, venting, combustion air, manifold connections, etc. Choose what works with your sys as it is, at the least cost, the suits your needs.

  • HomerJSmith
    HomerJSmith Member Posts: 2,628

    What I liked about Laars was that it had a built in header with a pump that made it a primary/secondary sys.