Upgrading baseboard hydronic

Halbert · January 4

Homeowner here. Previously I have had my oil fired boiler (less than 10 years old) converted to NG, and they added a buffer tank to help with short cycling. The system has 3 zones.

In the main floor living room…and on the main floor generally—the system can't keep up when the outside temperature drops to 10-15F. The aquastat on the boiler, and the thermostat on the buffer tank are set to 190F.

Along with future window replacement—which should help—would there be any value in upgrading the baseboard units to high efficiency baseboards and continuing to run the temperature at 190? Or is there a requirement to turn down the water temperature when switching to high efficiency baseboards?

Note, located in suburban Philadelphia. In the last 8 years I've lived here, I've never seen low temperatures below about 10F.

Jamie Hall · January 4

Do the window replacement — or repair and indoor storms (which may be a better alternative, depending on just what the old windows are) — first, and see how it goes. Then if you still need to, high output baseboard will help. No need to turn the water temperature down!

Halbert · January 4

The existing windows are 1980's Andersen single glazed.

EBEBRATT-Ed · January 4

So did the boiler heat the house satisfactorily when it was fired by oil? Or did the lack of heat exist when it was oil fired?

When it is cold out does the boiler run all the time? If it doesn't more baseboard/windows/insulation will help.

hot_rod · January 4

drop some pictures of the boiler piping.

Jamie Hall · January 4

The existing windows are junk. Replace them, but go high end with the replacements. It's worth the extra money.

HVACNUT · January 4

Same boiler but converted burner? Same BTU input?

Post pics.

Halbert · January 4

To answer the questions:

There were issues when very cold before the conversion. Adding the buffer tank did deal with short cycling nicely. There were times it would fire for 2-5 minutes, then off about the same.
On those cold days, the circulator is running continuously. The burner is probably running 15-20 minutes on, 15-20 minutes off.
As far as I know, the BTU input on the gas burner is the same as before.

I agree, doing the windows is needed. Finding the budget to do it……

pecmsg · January 4

high efficiency baseboards

What do you consider High Efficiency Baseboards?

Changing the emitters can get really expensive, you will never see a return on that investment.

1St get a blower door test performed, find and fix the leaks!

The 3M Film for windows is a cheap temporary solution.

Simple storm windows are another cheap solution.

As with any home improvement choose the contractor wisely. There are several window companies advertising but their prices are extreme. Shop around, get quotes and follow up on recommendations.

HVACNUT · January 4

What aquastat is on the boiler? If the boiler currently makes limit (the burner shuts off) during the cold spells, then it's not an input issue. I've spent many cold nights driving from house to house raising the High limit from 180° to 200°.

We would still like to see pics of the piping around the boiler and buffer tank.

Halbert · January 5

Honeywell L7224 aquastat.

There are 2 circulation pumps. As I understand it, one turns on with a thermostat and an open valve and circulate the buffer tank up through the house, and the second runs with the burner and circulates to the buffer tank from the boiler.

The buffer tank also has a thermostat that turns the boiler on and off.

I 'll get some pictures.

Upgrading baseboard hydronic

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