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Fuel Savings

Mike T., Swampeast MO
Mike T., Swampeast MO Member Posts: 6,928
in THE MAIN WALL
If you want the same sort of performance with a NEW system:

1) <B>INSIST ON PROPORTIONAL FLOW CONTROL!</B>

2) Have the heating emitters sized to operate at the lowest temperature (largest size) you can possibly afford. If your emitter is the floor or ceiling or walls, size generally isn't a concern--but you ABSOLUTELY MUST have <I>conductive</I> transfer of heat from the water to your floor/wall/ceiling.

3) Again, give high consideration to a Viessmann Vitodens connected via "direct drive" <I>just like it's designed to be...</I>

Comments

  • Mike T., Swampeast MO
    Mike T., Swampeast MO Member Posts: 6,928


    See data under current post titled, "Gas Bill". I did not start the post so look for my moniker.

    The following IS a commercial for thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) and condensing/modulating boilers.

    If you have a hot water system and standing iron radiators:

    1) UNCOVER THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    2) Install TRVs

    3) Use a condensing/modulating boiler

    Do all of the above and you can FULLY control your energy costs!!!

    You can reduce energy consumption almost unbelievably with low indoor temps, NO daily setback and a supply temperature curve barely adequate to your needs.

    You can have system response nearly the same as forced air systems if you're willing to take a SIGNIFICANT efficiency hit.

    You can genuinely optimize your energy use for WHATEVER conditions you want to maintain!!!!!

    Such was UTTERLY impossible with my 1970s vintage, traditional cast iron boiler (typically oversized). Believe me, I tried! Anything I did to reduce indoor temperature resulted in comparatively little fuel savings. This both with and without the TRVs.

    I was afraid to mention the fuel reduction (on top of 43% or so last year) before the first gas bill arrived. The numbers I was seeing seemed impossible.

    If your system originally operated under gravity, please give highest consideration to a Vitodens by Viessmann. As long as your system hasn't been messed with by adding baseboard or other high-temp hungry emitters, the boiler can be connected in "direct drive" just like it's designed to be at minimal installation cost and utterly maximized efficiency.



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