Boiler Options??

Tommy Stojanov

Hello, I have been looking at some options for a hydronic system for my (parents) home. The residence located in Rochester, NY is to be approzimately 1800 sq. ft. Of course, I have yet to run it through the load calc. I was looking at some boilers, the condensing boilers (Munchkin, Monitor, etc.) seem like an interesting concept. But, my real question is if they hold up or not? I would figure that any high efficiency furnace or boiler, especially condensing, is only good for 10 years at best. The thin wall hx's, the use of thin stainless and aluminum, makes me look into a standard or mid 80% unit. This is to be in my parent's home, which is currently electrically heated, without a flue or chimney, so direct venting is a big plus.
Now, to make it a bit more tricky, I have about a 5x6 utility room to work out of, and radiant would be nice. I suppose I could build a nice looking pump panel and place it on one wall. But besides the little stuff, Burnham has a "Minuteman II," but I haven't ever seen one in my outings (I must admit I have seen a few condensing boilers :) like Pulses and Dunkirks.) So, I would like to find a small unit, such as this, with the included water heater, or one small enough that I could facilitate and indirect somewhere in the system. Although, with only 3.3GPM, it seems somewhat small for DHW. But, then again, the 140K input (largest size) may result in quick recovery. Especially the fact that this unit has a cast iron HX, I like it. Although, it doesn't modulate, isn't very fancy, and by the looks of it, is designed like a "combi- core" with the heating done through the water heater, so if a partial glycol system is used, then I may have problems when the hydronic HX decides to go. Also, what if the tank develops problems? Is it possible to remove this tank and replace it, without replacing or modifying the boiler? Any influence or help is greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Unknown

The Minuteman II

is prevalent around the country but is primarily used in projects such as apartment and condominium complexes without basements or in electric heat conversions, both of which may not have chimneys. They need to be installed where an outside wall is accessable for intake air and exhaust piping. All components are accessable from the front vestibule. Although the tank can be replaced, it shouldn't have to be due to the fact that it holds boiler water and not potable water. There is a tankless heater bolted into the tank and provided the gasket at that connection is properly maintained, the tank should last the life of the boiler. Hope this helps.

Glenn Stanton

Burnham Hydronics

Mark Eatherton1

Tommy, Tommy ,Tommy...

It's good to see your writing my young friend. How did the AO Smith experiement go.

You ask GREAT questions. Well thought out.

For longevity, cast iron beats all. I don't think there's a person out there that will argue that point, but ya never know...

My personal opine is that the high efficiency option, if it will work, it will provide substantial energy savings, and your guess of 10 years may be correct if the appliance is not serviced. If serviced, I see it lasting 20 years.

But if you stop and think about it, in the next ten years, hydrogen fuel cells will be commercially available, and their net efficiency can be pretty darned high. Ya gotta be able to use most of the hot water production potential in order for them to be economically viable.

As for condensing appliances, it looks to me like your pretty aware of what's out there. There's some really neat stuff out there. Vie$$mann is the best. You get what you pay for.

In order for the condensing technology to be efficient, all delivery systems must be designed with a relatively low temperature of operation (140 and less). This will keep the appliance in its "sweet" zone.

I have a Heat Transfer Products T50 in my house, and I'm blown away by the technology. I've seen my system operating at thermal efficiencys upwards of 99 percent. And I like their control logic better than the big V.

That little company (HTP) has a LOT of spunk...

Good to see you my friend. How old are you now, 15, 16??

ME

Ted_5

Viessmann Vitodens is small

hangs on the wall, out of the way. Vents side wall with a pipe inside a pipe. 94.2% AFUE. Will last longer then 10 years. Viessmann is the largest boiler manufacture in the world and sticks millions of dollars a year into R & D, They have 7 plants world wide, over 40 trainning buildings, they designed the Vitodens to last at least 25 years. The heat-X is not thin like little M's. The V has a wall thickness of 1.5mm, the M is only .8mm, The V is 316Ti stainless steel, The V heat-X weighs as much as the whole M boiler. I could go on and on. What I am tring to point out is, YOU DO GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!!!!!!

Ted