Looking to Replace Aquabooster with 50gal Indirect

oldutica · July 2018

Hi I'm in the market for a new DHW supply tank. Currently on a storage tank (80 gal? Ford Aquabooster??) which is very old and the circulator pump had stopped running according to a tech. Given the age of the tank, the guy suggested to go Indirect vs. getting the circulator pump replaced. The boiler (utica starfire 3 water boiler SFH5175WT) has a coil which supplies the tank. The tech also says the coil has a leak (looking at the lime deposits around the coil area) and suggested to bypass that coil, create a new zone for the indirect water heater tank. This all makes sense to me.

Anyone has an opinion on this project? What about Heat-Flo HF-50 tank? Any other tank suggestions to consider? I'm looking for a long-term solution. Also at some point in the future, we may have to replace the boiler which is currently running, but old. It's a 5-br house and don't want to run out of hot water and, ideally want to run two showers at the same time without complaints.

There are many good contributors in this forum who have given me good advise re: boiler etc. Thank you!!

Steamhead · July 2018

We do not discuss pricing on this forum- see the yellow strip above the post title.

oldutica · July 2018

Steamhead, thanks for clarifying the site policy re: avoiding price discussions..yes now I see the banner.

It says in fairness to all... but I don't get it. why not put prices out there in the open? Isn't that fair for competition? If someone is trying to rip off the uninformed, why wouldn't the forum help those from not getting taken? Also to make better decisions -- which all boils down to economics, right? Or is this site set up to benefit mostly contractors to make connections to projects out there?
(btw, when I put my zipcode, there are no contractors listed here within 100 mile radius.) Steamhead...not meant to say anything against you for pointing out the policy...I just found it not helpful by avoiding/ or understanding costs in general, that's all.

Anyway I can still benefit from knowing if I am making the right choices/alternatives etc and picking a reliable brand/product etc. Thanks for your help.

Steamhead · July 2018

oldutica said:
It says in fairness to all... but I don't get it. why not put prices out there in the open? Isn't that fair for competition? If someone is trying to rip off the uninformed, why wouldn't the forum help those from not getting taken? Also to make better decisions -- which all boils down to economics, right? Or is this site set up to benefit mostly contractors to make connections to projects out there?
(btw, when I put my zipcode, there are no contractors listed here within 100 mile radius.) Steamhead...not meant to say anything against you for pointing out the policy...I just found it not helpful by avoiding/ or understanding costs in general, that's all.

That's been the rule for as long as I've been a member, and that's been a loooooong time. If you object, our Moderator will set you straight.

oldutica · July 2018

Thanks for responding, steam.

Yes I object!! for sure.

Generally I object to any sort of hindrance to free flow of information regardless whether the information is in my interest or not. This site is a private business and the owners are free to decide these absurd policies but they are misguided when they say "in fairness to all..."
Is this a public forum in the U.S.?

hot_rod · July 2018

Yes to the indirect upgrade, Heatflo is a top brand. Obviously there is more to the job then just cost of the tank, you may or may not know what else is involved parts-wise?

Then figure 4 or more hours to pick up parts, possibly pull a permit? do the actual change out. Now see if the numbers make sense, get a few other estimates.

You should be able to find feedback and reviews for the companies you are considering, that could be worth more than the parts.

oldutica · July 2018

Thanks hot rod. The way I understand it: a new heating zone has to be added which also needs a new zone valve put in and a bunch of piping/soldering etc. to incorporate the indirect tank. Adding a new zone -- need to drain the water, right? Anything else I am not seeing? I think the Indirect tank will have the thermostat included on it to be wired to the zone valve. After the work, bring the system back on, setup tank specs, test the system etc. Also they need to take away the old water tank from the house. I don't want to minimize the work involved and for a professional doing this type of work for a living, this should be a standard vanilla job (doable by one person?) and 4 hours seems on the high end of time estimate? What am I missing ?

HVACNUT · July 2018

An indirect can take 4 hours, or it can take 10. 2 men. Usually a senior and apprentice. Its not cookie cutter.
Getting prices online doesnt quite explain everything from a business point of view. Companies do have overhead. Stocking, gas, the person who picked up the phone when you called gets paid too.
And you can just as easily post
$$$$ vs. $$. Even Angie won't be interested unless the job is complete. And most times, you get what you pay for.
Are the supply and return manifolds large enough to handle the new GPM? I picture them 3/4 copper for some reason.Was the boiler piped with futures, plugs or caps off the existing headers?
Priority?
Have you thought about outdoor reset now that your going with an indirect?
Also an indirect should have it's own circulator, not a zone valve, that matches the specs of the water heater. (manifold size applies hear.) A switching relay and rewiring needs to be done.
Post some pics of what you've got now, and the specs of the Heat-Flo, and maybe we can help make sure you get the right job done.

GBart · July 2018

You want an efficient high quality thing that will give you tons of hot water 24/7 365 but you want to pay $34 for it, how much is your car worth that sits in the driveway and maybe runs 1-2 hours a day?

HVAC equipment of high quality and well installed is more valuable than any car because of the job it does, it's just unseen and forgotten but it's there 24/7 365 working for you.

bob eck · July 2018

Like they say it cost less to do something right the first time then to have to pay again to correct it.

New England SteamWorks · July 2018

Some things never change: Good work isn't cheap.

Erin Holohan Haskell · July 2018

@oldutica, as others here have mentioned, we do not discuss pricing on this forum at all because it could lead to price fixing, which is illegal.

newagedawn · July 2018

"the bitter taste of a poor install lasts far longer than the joy of the lowest price"
and in my area hacks sell the job low and go, never to be heard from again thats when they get my number to fix what was done wrong, so pay once or pay twice, its your money

Looking to Replace Aquabooster with 50gal Indirect

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