running out of hot water too quickly

JM_5

just moved into house with oil burner and it has a tankless coil. when taking a shower I am running out of hot water, and I'm not talking about a long shower, pretty much right after I get started. the faucets have the same dilemna, particularly upstairs. any ideas? also what should the high limit be set at on the boiler? Thanx

Mark Eatherton1

Could be...

NUMEROUS problems.

The boiler water temp could be too low (180 deg F)

Flow rates could be too high.

Heat exchanger could be limed up.

Tempering valve (if there is one) could be locked up. If no tempering valve, adjustments could be wrong.

In order to determine where your problem is coming from, it will require yo to do some careful oohhh aahhh testing.

With hot water running, feel the potable water inlet, it shoud be cold (DUH) then carefully feel the potable water outlet of the coil, it should be hot (AHHHH), if its not, your coil is limed up and not transfer energy like it should.

If the outlet IS hot (AHHH!!) but the outlet from the mixing device is luke warm or cold (Ooohhh), your mixing device is limed shut, or mis-adjusted.

Be extremely careful when touching these pipes, some can be EXTREMELY hot and will cause skin loss if contact is maintained for any length of time.

Now, get to work and come back and tell us what you found.

ANy pictures of your system swould also be helpful.

ME


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JM_5

what should the boiler be set at?

should it be 180 degrees or more or less? no tempering valve,

ScottMP

Yes

180 more or less.

A Tempering valve will provide safty for your family. A Mark said, feel the pipes going in and out. With no tempering valve it is reall easy. If you are not getting hot or if it gets cold really quickly you could have a build up in the coil. You may also have to much flow going thru the coil. If there is a valve on the cold water inlet, try closing it slowly while the hot water is running. Keep your hand on the hot water pipe and stop clsoing the valve when it stays hot. Again be carfull it could get Very Hot. If this works then see if thats enough flow for you to live with. More importantly how about the wife ?

I am not a big fan of coils. If your none of this works think about an Indirect fired tank.

Scott

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