boilers/tankless heaters

J Grossenbacher

Dan,

We are just pouring the footings for a new home we are building and have a few questions before they start to lay the radiant floor tubing this week. I should preface my question by saying that I am trying to build our home as a green house in as many ways as I can pull off within our budget. We plan on hooking our hot water use into solar eventually and need to plan for that ahead of time. Can you tell me what needs to be done in advance to prepare for the connection to solar?

My contractor has chosen a Weilmclain Ultra boiler (PVC vented, sealed combustion, variable input). I have also spoken with a company that is suggesting a Viessman Vitodens WB2 8 32 NG.

I’m just wondering if the Weilmclain is a really efficient boiler and if I can stick with what our contractor has already bid out, or if I need to step in and try to set up another better system. Unfortunately we are under the gun because of weather. The concrete guys need to pour the basement slab in a couple of days. I realize some of the decisions might not need to be made until later, but I want to make sure I don’t miss anything up front.

Also, I am interested in the tankless hot water system as it sounds more efficient; however, we are a family of four with two young daughters and several people have said we are not good candidates for this system due to the flow limitations. Is this true? What would you suggest as the most efficient (moderately priced) domestic hot water system with radiant floor heat? We have propane gas. I don’t want price to get in the way of buying the best… but I also have to convince my husband that we can fit it into our budget.

Thank you for your time,

Jenny Grossenbacher

406-581-4659

day: denver2@denverbryan.com




www.grossenbacherguides.com

J Grossenbacher

boilers/tankless heaters/solar hot water


We are just pouring the footings for a new home we are building and have a few questions before they start to lay the radiant floor tubing this week. I should preface my question by saying that I am trying to build our home as a green house in as many ways as I can pull off within our budget. We plan on hooking our hot water use into solar eventually and need to plan for that ahead of time. Can you tell me what needs to be done in advance to prepare for the connection to solar?

My contractor has chosen a Weilmclain Ultra boiler (PVC vented, sealed combustion, variable input). I have also spoken with a company that is suggesting a Viessman Vitodens WB2 8 32 NG.

I’m just wondering if the Weilmclain is a really efficient boiler and if I can stick with what our contractor has already bid out, or if I need to step in and try to set up another better system. Unfortunately we are under the gun because of weather. The concrete guys need to pour the basement slab in a couple of days. I realize some of the decisions might not need to be made until later, but I want to make sure I don’t miss anything up front.

Also, I am interested in the tankless hot water system as it sounds more efficient; however, we are a family of four with two young daughters and several people have said we are not good candidates for this system due to the flow limitations. Is this true? What would you suggest as the most efficient (moderately priced) domestic hot water system with radiant floor heat? We have propane gas. I don’t want price to get in the way of buying the best… but I also have to convince my husband that we can fit it into our budget.

Thank you for your time,

J Grossenbacher

Dave_13

Tankless,etc....

I would suggest going with a good Indirect water heater for your hot water needs. It acts like another "zone" off your boiler system. Very efficient with very low standby losses. Weil Mclain (who makes the Ultra boiler) sells such a tank called the "Ultra Plus". I think you would be very dissapointed with a tankless heater given the size of your family. A tankless can only heat water so much, and if you are drawing from multiple points- brrrrr!!! Boiler wise,in my opinion, both are excellent choices - The Veissman is probably the best of the best, but the Ultra is definitely up there. Hope this helps a little.

Robert O'Connor_7

Go for the Weil-McLain & the plus indirect. You could probably install two of them for the $$ you would spend on the V- word... Good luck getting parts for the V- job.

S Davis

I think the most important thing is to make sure the control system design allows for the addition of the solar for hot water generation, using the solar as primary heating and when that can't supply enough heat automatically switching over to your boiler usually this also involves a holding or buffer tank.
As for the boiler I prefer Buderus They make a very good boiler I use them on about 80% of my jobs gas and oil, very reliable.

S Davis

steve_26

parts

Viessmann is a very well represented Co. we install many of thier boilers all modles and never had a problem with parts. It may depend on where you live.NE has many supply house's.

steve

Mark Wolff

Relax :-)

It sounds like your plumbing and heating contractor is on top of the ball. Both boilers are great. They are both in the top 3. Let the contractor pick what he is familiar with if it is comparable (it is in this case) he will always do a better job and be happier in the process. Go for an indirect water heater. The best tankless models put out a MAX of 6 gallons per minute which is not adequate for filling a bathtub with HOT water, nor for a shower and anything else.

Jack_23

Rinnai Continuum (foreverhotwater .com)

First, I represent Rinnai. I also heat my hot water with a Continuum. I still have my indirect (shut down) which I used before the Rinnai. When I changed over my gas bills went down 70% (gas bills available) with no other changes to the system or use. That is with two teenage girls. Why store hot water when you aren't using it? Most bathtubs have a 1/2" supply to them. You won't get much over 5gpm out of the fill spout. The Rinnai 2520FFU or the 2532FFU will provide 4.7gpm at a 70F temp rise. You bathe in max 105F. Your thermostatic shower valves are set for 112F. With 50F ground water you get 4.7gpm at 120F whcih you will then mix down to use temp. I can run two showers 24hrs a day and if I go on vacation I don't burn a nickels worth of gas. DO locate the unit close to the main hot water use. Mine is far away currently and I have to wait to empty the cold out of the pipe. I'm going to remodel the bathrooms (I have been informed) and I will relocate the water heater to the second floor between the two showers. They are small and quiet and can be side wall vented. I do not like recirc lines on them. You won't either. Go to PaulHarvey.com and to last Fri at noon and click on it. See what he has to say about it. You do need to have it installed by a Rinnai certified contractor. Good luck with your house.