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Panel radiator system design options

Hi Everyone,

I’m putting an addition on my house and now its time for a new heating system. Old part of the house has a massive oil fired forced hot air setup with some interesting ductwork. We just installed a gas line and I’d like to switch everything over to steel panel radiators with a TRV on each one, no central thermostat in the house. Total heat loss for everything is 40k btu/hr (house will be 1900 sq ft ranch). Room heat loss numbers range from 500 btu/hr (small bathroom) to 9500 btu/hr (living room).

The piping for the radiators would be 3/8 pex home runs to each radiator, 2 manifolds (13 or so total radiators), fed by an Alpha pump (or maybe a Wilo eco with its slightly lower curve). I’m currently sizing the radiators for 150° supply at design conditions. I’ll be having my plumber do the install but I want to make sure I understand everything and have the system set up how I want before the work starts.

My big question is which boiler option is the best-

Option 1- HTP pioneer boiler, run with outdoor reset and jump the TT. This is probably the easiest, no short cycle issues with the small zones. The boiler would just work to maintain the tank temperature. If there is only small demand the pump can pull warm water out of the tank without the burner firing.

Option 2- A low mass mod con (probably an HTP UFT-80) piped into a buffer tank. Not sure what the best way to control this would be, maybe a tekmar outdoor reset with a temperature sensor in the tank to fire the boiler? That way the boiler is just controlling the tank temperature as the system needs it. Outdoor reset would be disabled on the boiler and run through the tekmar. I’d need an additional circulator to feed the tank. Would this work? Am I missing anything obvious here?

Is there any large upside or downside to either one of these options? I like option 2 better because it gives me a better option to also run an indirect tank for DHW, but it is a more labor intensive install and I’m not sure if I’ll have any control issues.

I know this is probably over simplified so feel free to tell me where I’m wrong and what the better option would be. Thanks for the help

Comments

  • Rich_49
    Rich_49 Member Posts: 2,766
    Where are you located ? What type fuel are you using , NG or LP ?

    I would size the panel rads for 130 - 140 * at design allowing condensing throughout the heating season .

    HTP used to produce a unit called Versa Flame . Basically a Pioneer with a FPHX , DHW mixing valve and a circ to make DHW . This unit can be produced on site relatively easily . Using a Taco i Series ODR mixing valve can also increase the capability of the Pioneer .

    The UFT idea is a good one . I would configure this buffer as a 2 pipe buffer with the loads between the boiler and tank . Use a Taco Pc700-2 control and place the sensor in the tank . program that control and the boiler ODR the same . The only call the boiler sees is from the Taco . In this case you would need a Taco SR EXP unit to use with the 700-2 . Indirect aquastat would go to priority and priority end switch would go to DHW terminal on UFT . This would cut power to CH circs during a DHW call .

    All things considered the Pioneer option is similar in cost but less complicated .
    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
    SuperJ
  • DavesHouse
    DavesHouse Member Posts: 13
    Thanks for the help!

    I'm in MA (zone 5), just put a NG line in the house so i'll be using that. I'd like go lower with the supply temperatures, but there are some spaces that don'd lend themselves to larger radiators easily.

    Using the reset curve on the tank controller along with the boiler makes sense so it's getting the right temp for supply water. Would the indirect sensor need to be connected to the switching relay, or could it just go directly to the boiler? It looks like the boiler will prioritize DHW on its own. Not even sure if i'd hook up an indirect tank, but it would be a nice option to have. I currently have heat pump electric water heater that is pretty recent.

    I do like the versa flame, but it seems like it is quite a bit more money than the pioneer. I like the pioneer option for plug and play, but I think a seperate boiler and tank would give me more options and be easier if a component fails.

    Thanks
  • Rich_49
    Rich_49 Member Posts: 2,766
    The DHW sensor would have to go to the Taco relay in this scenario because we are relying on dropping the CH circs out . You could connect directly to the boiler , however the CH circs would continue to run and pull water from the boiler while a DHW demand is present
    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
  • DavesHouse
    DavesHouse Member Posts: 13
    That makes sense, thanks!
    Rich_49
  • DavesHouse
    DavesHouse Member Posts: 13
    Any other thoughts out there? Is there anything i should consider doing different?

    Thanks
  • Rich_49
    Rich_49 Member Posts: 2,766
    You're on the right path . Explore your options based on your budget but the theory is sound
    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
  • Brewbeer
    Brewbeer Member Posts: 616
    Also take a look at cast iron baseboard. It holds quite a bit of water and will act partly like a buffer tank. If you can install enough of it, you may find that you don't need a buffer tank.
    Hydronics inspired homeowner with self-designed high efficiency low temperature baseboard system and professionally installed mod-con boiler with indirect DHW. My system design thread: http://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/154385
    System Photo: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021738/uploads/FileUpload/79/451e1f19a1e5b345e0951fbe1ff6ca.jpg
    SuperTech
  • DavesHouse
    DavesHouse Member Posts: 13
    I looked into the cast iron baseboard, but it looks like I can get the radiators for a lot less money. I had the radiators in my last house (with a completely different system) and was happy with them, so I don't want to mess with success.

    I keep coming back to the HTP Pioneer from a simplicity standpoint- it seems pretty foolproof. How well does this unit work for DHW with a FPHX? I'm assuming i'd have to raise the lower temp limit to 130 or something and maybe use a mixing valve to supply the radiators so I can supply cooler water when the outdoor temp drops. I can see this being very efficient in the winter when the heat is always running, but is it still cost effective in the summer to keep the entire tank heated just for DHW?

    I dont mind my electric heat pump water heater, but i'd like to at least set my system up now so that i've got a good option to heat the water with NG in the future.

    Thanks
  • DavesHouse
    DavesHouse Member Posts: 13
    One more question- If I went the UFT with a buffer tank route, is there any significant advantage of a 2 pipe over a 4 pipe buffer? I've been reading up on it and cant make my mind up one way or another
  • Rich_49
    Rich_49 Member Posts: 2,766
    edited February 2018
    2 pipe is a far better option . Pioneer does a damn fine job making DHW with a FPHX . The only reason that HTP discontinued is a lack of sales of the Versa Flame . Just to be clear you'd be making a Versa Flame using the Pioneer , FPHX , mixing valve and circ .
    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
  • Boon
    Boon Member Posts: 260
    I'm curious about the use of 3/8" pex. Won't the 3/8 be an 'unnecessarily' high pressure drop?

    DIY'er ... ripped out a perfectly good forced-air furnace and replaced it with hot water & radiators.
  • Rich_49
    Rich_49 Member Posts: 2,766
    3/8" tubing can be used to our advantage . Too low pressure drop presents a larger problem . There are a handful of design days a year , if 3/8" tubing can keep you warm during that time what issues does it present ? Let's look at those whole bunch of other days when your gpm , feet of head decline . The circ whether on a zoned system or not may very well operate below the performance curve . You very well may end up moving 4 gpm when you need 1.5 gpm ( pump affinity laws) .

    Question . Would you rather operate the circ to the high end of the best efficiency point for a small part of the season or on the low end of the best efficiency point for a large part of the season .

    Keep in mind , when you are on the low side , moving 4 gpm as opposed to 1.5 you are also sending hotter water back to the source and as such are delivering less BTUh . Make sense ?
    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
  • Rich_49
    Rich_49 Member Posts: 2,766
    This is from another discussion taking place on another forum right now . Call me crazy if you'd like but never refer to Bean as a nut .

    Robert Bean

    Consider:> 50% of construction projects in North America are < 20,000 sf. with over ½ of those under 5000 sf. + long term trend is reducing loads through increases in building efficiency + the greater the building efficiency the lower the flows + the lower the flows (generally) the less horsepower required thus the greater the risk for both oversized circulators and control valves + excessive flow is one of the major areas of waste in hydronics = clients paying for anything oversized are paying for something they don’t need and will never use...ever! ...…and be aware that street pricing of product can distort one time capital cost evaluations…but not life time operating costs. No surprise I'm with Bradford E. White (again) on this one...shown below is one comparison from our integrated design course. You may not like the compassion so do you own on your next project...rarely will you find zoned circulators beating valves when it comes to power...
    Manage

    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
  • Rich_49
    Rich_49 Member Posts: 2,766
    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
  • DavesHouse
    DavesHouse Member Posts: 13
    I'd like to use 3/8 pex for the pumping reasons that Rich mentioned. If i'm running the radiators in home runs off of the manifolds, each radiator is its own zone and the largest is not even 1 gpm at 20 delta T. With 1/2 pex i'd be well below the minimum head curve for most pumps.
    Rich_49
  • Rich_49
    Rich_49 Member Posts: 2,766
    In Europe they even use 5/16" tubing . Nothing to be leary about using 3/8"
    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
  • HVACguyinME
    HVACguyinME Member Posts: 25
    @DavesHouse

    Not sure if you have tried the IBC SL boilers but they have a control that can ramp heat up so if one of your small rads is the only one calling the boiler can ramp at .6 degrees an hour all the way up to 26 degrees an hour. Firetube heat exchanger like the UFT and you can even put the control online with a cat 5 cable hooked to your router.
  • DavesHouse
    DavesHouse Member Posts: 13
    Thanks for the suggestion of the IBC, it looks like it has an integrated secondary circuit sensor that can be put in the buffer tank so no additional controls would be needed. Not sure how the availability or pricing is near me, but it looks like it might be an easy solution.

    Thanks
  • DavesHouse
    DavesHouse Member Posts: 13
    edited February 2018
    So as i think about this more (or overthink it) i've been looking at some of the threads with systems designed off of a water heater (HTP phoenix or similar) using a FPHX and an outdoor reset mixing valve for the radiant. This seems like it could be much cheaper and less complicated than a boiler, buffer, and indirect tank.

    What are the limitations of a system like this? Is 40k btu at design conditions too much? (only 4 gpm at 20 delta t, so it doesn't seem too bad from a heat exchanger perspective). There wouldnt be any short cycling issues with constant circulation for the panel radiators. What point is there a big trade off in efficiency for a system like this compared to a standard boiler setup?

    Thanks
  • Eastman
    Eastman Member Posts: 927
    Why do we want a buffer for a TRV'd panel rad system?
  • DavesHouse
    DavesHouse Member Posts: 13
    I don't think I have much of a choice with the buffer based on every radiator being zoned individually. I'm sure there would always be some amount of flow with the thermostatic valves but I don't know if it would meet the minimum boiler flow requirement or minimum btu level. Somebody please correct me if I'm wrong.
  • Rich_49
    Rich_49 Member Posts: 2,766
    Eastman said:

    Why do we want a buffer for a TRV'd panel rad system?

    Because , no matter what the emitters are there will still be times when the load is much lower than low end modulation . Maybe I misunderstood your question ?
    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
  • Rich_49
    Rich_49 Member Posts: 2,766
    Dave asked

    So as i think about this more (or overthink it) i've been looking at some of the threads with systems designed off of a water heater (HTP phoenix or similar) using a FPHX and an outdoor reset mixing valve for the radiant. This seems like it could be much cheaper and less complicated than a boiler, buffer, and indirect tank.

    What are the limitations of a system like this? Is 40k btu at design conditions too much? (only 4 gpm at 20 delta t, so it doesn't seem too bad from a heat exchanger perspective). There wouldnt be any short cycling issues with constant circulation for the panel radiators. What point is there a big trade off in efficiency for a system like this compared to a standard boiler setup?
    No limitations with the Pioneer . No minimum flow requirements . Mass to leverage in a nice way . Size the FPHX to your needs . ODR onboard for winter summer temp for DHW
    I Series ODR for heat and just sipping out of a 55 gallon cup . 1 circ for DHW and 1 for space heating . LOW MAINTENANCE . All sounds good to me .
    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
    njtommy