Common issues (low hanging fruit)

eddiecalder

What are some of the most common hydronic installation issues you find? I'm not talking about things that need an experienced tradesperson to find (pipe sizing, pump selection), I'm talking about the low hanging fruit.

A couple examples that come to mind for me are:

1- Not properly installing condensate neutralizers. The outlet is supposed to be higher than the inlet. I see condensate neutralizers installed vertically and just allow the condensate to flow freely to the drain without allowing any type of dwell time. (I blame the manufacturers as much as anyone for this. You can by the cheaper condensate neutralizers off the shelf without any type of instructions).

2- Gas regulator installation issues. Vent limiters installed outside, vent protectors not being used, vertical installation with a 90 to change the orientation of the vent limiter. I'm specifically talking about Maxitrol 325. they have a 95% market share where I am.

Anyone have any other examples?

EBEBRATT-Ed

Yeah. #1 is installers installing steam boilers.

They either never learned to read if and when they went to school or they know more than anyone else and refuse to read the install manual.

GGross

I would say pipe size and pump selection requires no more experience than the things you mentioned. less in my opinion because its fairly intuitive to someone who knows nothing about hydronics that pipe size and pump selection must matter because there are different pumps and different size pipes so a novice who knows nothing might think to check these things. Quick rule of thumb references are available freely and easily with a google search and will serve most jobs adequately. 20 minutes or so reading about it and you are able to crunch the numbers yourself. For simple residential jobs this stuff is very basic level stuff, the most basic really.