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Lowering return water temp on a combo boiler/ preheat dhw

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njtommy
njtommy Member Posts: 1,105
in THE MAIN WALL
Currently have a Navien combi NCB-240 boiler (yes i know all jokes aside) my supply water temp is 140 degrees return is 120 running off a delta t pump set at 20 degrees feeding hydroair handler and a fan coil unit for my garage. I'm wondering if its worth preheating my domestic hot to lower my return temps down to another 20 degrees to gain efficiency. I have an 50 gallon electric hot water heater I can use for storage. Would just need a heat exchanger either plate style or a side arm. With the side arm I would not need to run a circulation pump, but not sure which would work better. I could buy a Indrect tank, but I'm going to leave the electric hot water heater wired for back up.
Dhw usage is 2-3 showers a day and along with the normal dishes and laundry.

Thanks for the help guys.

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  • Snowmelt
    Snowmelt Member Posts: 1,415
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    im wondering why he has an electric tank and a Navien that can supply domestic water
    njtommy
  • njtommy
    njtommy Member Posts: 1,105
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    Lol thanks snowmelt I just converted to gas last year about this time and left it hooked up just incase.
  • njtommy
    njtommy Member Posts: 1,105
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    Yeah 5% is really any thing and even that could be a high figure. Do to once the tank gets warm enough It would no longer be lowering my return temp.

    My highest gas bill was $220 in February.
    I have SJ gas and its $1.30 a therm delivered. Not including the other $10-20 in fees. I think my usage was 160 therms or so.

    So far it looks like I'm saving about $1000-1200 a year from running electric dwh, stove and heat pump.

    I do still run my heat pump down To 35-40 dgrees do to NG prices.
  • Rich_49
    Rich_49 Member Posts: 2,766
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    You'll gain at the combustion assembly of the boiler but don't forget that you will use consume less electricity . NG is about 1.00 where we live and I pay .14 KWh . Figure out how much hot water you use . An electric heater takes not much energy to raise water from 110* to 120* .
    You didn't get what you didn't pay for and it will never be what you thought it would .
    Langans Plumbing & Heating LLC
    732-751-1560
    Serving most of New Jersey, Eastern Pa .
    Consultation, Design & Installation anywhere
    Rich McGrath 732-581-3833
  • kcopp
    kcopp Member Posts: 4,432
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    You will do better running the return water through a cast iron radiator in the area near the boiler....or a room you want extra heat in.
    CanuckerSWEI
  • njtommy
    njtommy Member Posts: 1,105
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    @Kcopp I thought about that too. I could dump the heat into the basement. Was going to add Baseboard down there at some point any way. I also just pulled out a bunch of baseboard out a of a house so I have plenty to use.

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