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What to replace Vertex with for DHW and small radiant system?

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Albany Chris
Albany Chris Member Posts: 40
edited July 30 in Radiant Heating

My NG Vertex has failed after 15 years. I bought it for its high efficiency and the big rebate at the time, though it is overkill for our needs. In addition to DHW we use it for a floor warming system in the master bath. (130sf w/uponor plates with one loop of 1/2" pex. Its an open system which is flushed before each season). Also have a on-demand recirc with dedicated return line. 4BR house with normal hot water use.

I'm seeing conflicting info about using a tankless WH (like a Navian with recirc) and many of you don't like it in other discussions, though HotRod seems somewhat OK with it :) . What would you guys suggest? Vertex seems like overkill and prices are much higher now. Is there another NG tank model that would be a good fit? Separate systems seems like overkill for such a small radiant system? I might upgrade to add a heat exchanger and close the system if that matters.

Thanks Everyone.

edit, wording

Comments

  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 25,384
    edited July 31
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/201819/what-to-replace-vertex-with-for-dhw-and-small-radiant-system

    Not me okaying a tankless WH as a boiler :) I think @Kaos has suggested them for some systems.

    A boiler or combi are my suggestions.

    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
  • GroundUp
    GroundUp Member Posts: 2,373

    The problem with any high efficiency boiler/WH/combi is that none of them will ever turn down far enough for only 130SF of radiant. There are a few "correct" options here, but all of them are going to be costly if you are dead set on high efficiency equipment.

    1. Combi w/ buffer tank
    2. Boiler w/ reverse indirect
    3. Tankless WH w/ storage tank and HX

    If it were mine, I'd probably just convert the radiant to a standalone closed loop system on its own 6 gallon electric WH and have a separate WH for DHW only. Possibly a regular old power vent WH tank with a bronze circ through a HX, also making the radiant a closed loop. The Vertex variety of HE tanks really doesn't save you a whole lot in the long run, as far as I'm concerned.

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