Opinions on tankless coil with aquabooster (storage tank)?

Geoff

I currently have a tankless coil with my oil-fired Weil McLain steam boiler. I am thinking of installing a 50 gal aquabooster (storage tank with recirculator through coil).

Does anyone have any opinions on these systems? Do they work? Are they good value for money? Do they add a significant pressure drop if my hot flow is already a bit weak? How frequently does recirculator pump run?

Thanks for advice on any of the questions above!

Al Letellier

aquabooster

have done this a few times with no complaints. You may have a problem with flow as you will mostl likely need t install a thermal mixer. It makes a lot of hot water and you can use anything for a tank. Even the old electric tank in one there (but make sure the customer knows the risk of losing that tank someday). An indirect will always make more hot water faster, and we do this type of install only when the customer is budget driven, but is given all the options.

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Joe Grosso

aqua booster

My company installs boat load of aqua boosters every year.Almost all of them are on steam systems as I am personally not crazy about any brand indirect on a steam system.Have seen way to many problems.Just my two cents on that.As to a aqua booster have never had a customer complain yet.Try it I think you will be very happy.

Jaitch

Hard Water

In our area the average hardness of the water is 180ppm. We have some aquaboosters, and a boatload of coils, but I've seen the coils plug in as few as 6 months. Of course, one of God's few mean tricks is that the mineral content of the water drops out when it is first heated up (in the small passages of the coil) and that becomes the limiting factor on how well this system may perform for you. A softener will help, but I prefer to spec an indirect wherever possible. The capacity of a tank type with the quick recovery of an oil fired heater - an unbeatable combination!

Good Luck - John

B. Tice

Boosters

Geoff, I have had many positive experiences with coil boosters. On the subject of hard water, if you have water quality issues, you will have problems with any type of equipment, coils, indirects, direct fired, etc.

Geoff

Thanks for all of your advice!

The water is hard in the area but not sure if softener is practical. The coil will also be replaced so I'll be able to see how bad it really is...

Geoff

Any estimates of how frequently the recirculation pump will turn on if there is no hot water draw on the system? I know exact numbers will depend on aquastat setting on both boiler and storage tank, etc. A rough estimate would still be helpful.

Thanks!