What we'd like to see

Josh_10

I thought an interesting topic for discussion might be what we want from mod/con boiler manufacturers in the future.

Here is my wish list.

(1) An option for a basic controller that will only accept an external modulating signal for integration with either a control like TN4 or another building management sytstem. I rarely want the boiler to do any control logic other than what is specific to the boiler. I know many have this option but how about a discounted controller that has none of the extra's?

(2) More of an emphasis on combustion efficiency. If Todd Combustion can make a burner that can burn 2% O2, 1-3PPM CO, and less than 9PPM NOX on a 20 Million BTU burner we can do better than <150 PPM CO @ 6% O2 in the residential market guys. Weil-Mclain and TT did a fair job on their boilers combustion efficiency.

(3) And of course lower pressure drops across the heat exchanger. A high pressure drop is like creating an ultra light weight car and installing a caterpillar engine.

And a P.S. to manufacturers. I don't want to hear you defend your current boilers. This is merely for us contractors to tell you what we are wishing for.

Boilerpro_5

That and....

an onboard control that has room for indoor feedback for those single zone swap outs.

Boilerpro

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Mike T., Swampeast MO

1) Simple, front panel homeowner access to reset shift.

2) Prompted "setup mode" to assist the installer and/or homeowner in achieving an ideal reset curve that most efficiently meets the "normal" indoor conditions. PLUS an occasional (say every month) and completely automatic "efficiency diagnosis" with suggestions for curve changes.

3) Learning of "typical" usage patterns that combines with the periodic "efficiency diagnosis" to produce suggestions for changes in the usage pattern for increased efficiency.

4) Automatic detection of "unusual" user requests that will change boiler operation proportionate to how closely the system currently approaches "perfect" efficiency.

5) Open architecture such that aftermarket devices (either from the OEM or others) employing these ideas can be used with "European" boilers.

Josh_10

Mike how about all of that for a controller external of the boiler?

Mike T., Swampeast MO

No problem at all to me, but when it comes to a mod/con that controller must have FULL control of the burner (and possibly an integral circulator) and FULL access to all of its sensors. From the manufacturer side I can understand why they might not want to give easy access to such. Not only are there warranty problems, but the overall architecture may not be set up for such.

I remember when a single "universal" remote control was called "impossible" Of course different patterns of IR flashes are a bit simpler and there's no way to harm the equipment...

stephen_4

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