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Hydro-Air System / 2 or 3 Zone / Complexity...?

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PFloro
PFloro Member Posts: 2
edited November 15 in Gas Heating

Hello,

I'm looking at a ~3500 sq. ft. house (via the Internet) in Peekskill, NY. Built in 2005, it has it's original 2 or 3 zone Hydro-Air system. It's natural gas fired. I only see two small condensing units outside (most likely R-22) but 3 valved water lines coming off the boiler. I suspect that one us for indirect DHW.

I know a bit about HVAC but I'm concerned about the complexity of this system. Since it's 20 years old, replacement can't be too far off.

If the house price comes down, we may make an offer. I would consider replacing the system "like-for-like" but with inverter technology A/C. I have experience with an Aprilaire steam humidification system installed in a conventional gas forced air system and would want this system in the "new" house. We love whole house steam humidification. I know that one would be required for each air handler. I haven't thought about what direction to go in regarding the boiler replacement and DHW.

Two Real Estate pictures are attached.

Your thoughts are appreciated.

Thanks,

Paul

Burnham HW Boiler 01.jpg AC Condensing Units 01.jpg

Comments

  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 19,172

    Not much to go on. I would guess 2 hydro air air handlers with DX coils for cooling and hot water coils for heating and an indirect water heater.

    How long will it last who knows? The boiler looks pretty good. You could probably expect another 10 years. Cooling in the northeast doesn't get run hard. Whe the time comes I would go heat pumps and a new boiler. Then you could run the HPs in the spring and fall.

  • HVACNUT
    HVACNUT Member Posts: 7,157

    The boiler is fine. Could be oversized, but they usually are. Its simple, but has all the necessary gas safeties. If its standing pilot, its also reliable.

    If you upgrade to inverter systems, they'll be heat pumps? Figure out how you want it to work, then see what's needed to make it work. If you use an inverter systems communication wiring, you might lose the ability to control the hydro coil without an interface. Some manufactures, like the Carrier Infinity offer an OEM interface that adds the hydro coil to the communications. On some systems, if you use 24 volt controls, you lose some of the benefits of an inverter system.

    If an air handler is in an attic, I would see about freeze protection. And no steam humidifier in an attic. One 230 volt Apriliaire 800 set to 16 amps will do 4,000 sq ft in an average insulated home. If you absolutely need more, install a second in a none freezing location with the Fan Pack.

  • pecmsg
    pecmsg Member Posts: 6,673

    It looks like the 3rd zone is for domestic hot water. I'll guess 1st floor and 2nd floor Air Conditioning.

    At 20 years there well past their life. Shortly they will have to be replaced, indoor and outdoor units, as well as the coils. That's at least 5 figures.

  • PFloro
    PFloro Member Posts: 2

    Thank you for your comments.

    From what I can determine (RE pictures only), the 1st floor & walk out finished basement are heated/cooled by one air handler & the 2nd floor uses an air handler above that floor in the attic. I don't know if any freeze protection exists. I suspect not.

    If we buy this house, I'd like to have 2 new inverter central A/C units able to communicate with a new boiler. Would a mod/con boiler which also makes DHW be appropriate...?

    I'm not adverse to heat pumps. However. Peekskill, NY doesn't have a super temperate climate and Con Ed is the electric utility ($$$). I don't particularly want both a heat pump setup and a boiler.

    My home ownership & maintenance experience is with oil & gas fired steam, hydronic, and forced air with central A/C. Hydro Air is new to me.

    To help with sinus issues, we have had an Aprilaire 800 steam humidifier in the Tucson, AZ house for 8 years. It's wonderful. Would the air flow between floors (1st & 2nd) of the potential new house allow one AA 800 unit on the 1st floor to provide whole house humidification...? I know a single AA 800 can make enough steam but what about distribution?

    Thanks for your knowledge and experience.

    Paul

  • HVACNUT
    HVACNUT Member Posts: 7,157

    Warmer humid air will rise. The third floor air handler will be cycling on heat to help distribute.

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