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New Combi Boiler: Incorrect Setup / Not Efficient?

Manenvi
Manenvi Member Posts: 2
in Gas Heating

Hello, I recently had to get my energy efficient combi boiler replaced. The old model had a zoning panel and dual supply lines one for heating and one for DHW. The plumber I hired ended up getting a different model (one that did not have it's own internal zoning panel and only one supply line). The problem is, it seems like he figured this out half way through the install and didnt have all the proper equipment to do the job correctly.

Can someone help advise if this setup makes sense? I have 3 zone heating and during the install it seemed like he realized he needed another circulating pump that he didn't have but instead just joined two supply lines but it seems like if the zone that Ts to the left is on, it just pumps straight up and heats that pipe as well. It doesn't go all the way through since there are 2 point mid-valves at the end of the loop.

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Comments

  • GroundUp
    GroundUp Member Posts: 2,124

    That's not a combi boiler, and it's also piped wrong. It appears as though the single circ and tee situation in question is completely unnecessary. The incorrectly mounted black circulator below the boiler could have operated the zones by itself if I'm not mistaken, but it's pretty difficult to see exactly what's going on

    Ironman
  • Ironman
    Ironman Member Posts: 7,555

    As mentioned, it’s not piped right and it looks like two circulators are in series. You only need one circulator for all of the loops with zone valves, and therefore, it doesn’t matter if the supply’s are Teed together.

    Again, the circulators must be mounted horizontally, not vertically.

    Bob Boan
    You can choose to do what you want, but you cannot choose the consequences.
  • SuperTech
    SuperTech Member Posts: 2,430

    Lol, now there's something I haven't seen before. Let's just plop the expansion tank on the floor. Sideways. This plumber clearly doesn't read the installation instructions.

  • GroundUp
    GroundUp Member Posts: 2,124

    Upon closer inspection, it appears as though they are attempting to utilize primary/secondary piping through the pressure bypass valve which would indeed require the 3rd circulator, but I'm quite confident it's not hydraulically separated and probably wasn't with the old boiler either. Either way, it definitely needs some attention to make it right.

  • Manenvi
    Manenvi Member Posts: 2

    Sound like I'm better off hiring someone else, if this plumber set it up this way and thinks it's correct I'm not sure I even want him to continue to work on it. . . .would the setup flaws pass inspection? Or might be to code but not efficient or conventional?

  • Ironman
    Ironman Member Posts: 7,555

    Most inspectors don’t understand hydronic piping concepts. They’re usually looking for a relief valve, a backflow preventer, and proper vent piping.

    Where are you located?

    Bob Boan
    You can choose to do what you want, but you cannot choose the consequences.
    GroundUp
  • GroundUp
    GroundUp Member Posts: 2,124

    X2 on the inspector feedback, they generally don't know anything about piping practices and only care about safety items. It may be worth pulling out the manual and showing it to the installer to see if they'll do their job and make it right (perhaps an honest mistake?), before you start looking elsewhere. Having been in this trade all my life, I would wager that less than 10% of boiler installs are actually done correctly so this is not an isolated incident.

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