New piping, new boiler, or both?

Carlie

Hi-
After reading Dan's book and also having a plumber in, we have found that our gas fired steam boiler is not piped correctly. It is a Weil-McLain, about 20-25 years old, and oversized for the house (so we are told). We are renovating the kitchen and would like to add radiant hydronic heat to that area - so, is it worth repiping an old boiler? Do boilers exist that can provide both steam and hot water for the radiant floor system? What would a ballpark price be for a boiler large enough to heat a 2200 sq ft house? Any help appreciated-
Carlie

Ted_9

boiler

Get some prices from reputable heating companies. If you dont have the budget to replace your steam system with a forced hot water system, you can always get a forced hot water boiler to do the radiant and domestic hot water.

Weezbo

Hmmm...

well. .... once again,plate exchangers worky wonders. instead of new boiler why not invest in a new water maker ,plate x and some radiant that is done correctly?

scrook_2

given...

the boiler's oversized for the existing connected load you could easily use a flat plate heat exchanger to a hot water loop, or perhaps even a tankless hot water heater coil as an exchanger (if it has the opening for one and it is not in use). How do you heat your hot water? You could maybe use the boiler water to heat an indirect hot water tank too. It all hinges on what kind of condition the existing boiler's in, if it's good than just change/add some piping. Keep the existing steam side steam, add hot water radiant (or CI baseboard, or kickspace heater(s) as dictated by the new kitchen)

Carlie

Thanks all. We are working on getting quotes in, but it's hard to find people who are familiar with both steam heat and radiant hydronic heat. Will look into heat plate exchanger idea and indirect hot water. (We currently have a gas hot water heater).
Carlie

Joel_3

Or

Another slick easy way I've done it is to get a new boiler with a tankless coil in it and use that for the radiant. piped into a buffer tank like a superstore 20 gal if you want some more mass works killer!

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Weezbo

scrook speakin right words.

ross

remember this

ross

Condensate Hot Water Heating

Here's a link to Dan's very good description of how to use condensate in a steam boiler for hot water heating (with or without a heat exchanger):
remember this

ross

Condensate Hot Water Heating

Here's a link to Dan's very good description of how to use condensate in a steam boiler for hot water heating (with or without a heat exchanger):
remember this

ross

Condensate Hot Water Heating

Here's a link to Dan's very good description of how to use condensate in a steam boiler for hot water heating (with or without a heat exchanger):

remember this

ross

Condensate Hot Water Heating

Here's a link to Dan's very good description of how to use condensate in a steam boiler for hot water heating (with or without a heat exchanger):

Condensate Hot Water Heating

Carlie

Theoretically this sounds as if it would work, as long as the water temp can be brought down - in a radiant under floor hydronic system the water temp in generally in the 85-90 degree range, from what I've read. In this case the floor over it will be wood, which will warp if it gets too hot. Great article.