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Message |
    
avamarie
Citizen
Username: Avamarie
Post Number: 34
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, August 26, 2006 - 11:32 am: | 
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So, we bought our house a year ago in August and realized by winter that we weren't getting enought hot water. We have an oil fired boiler ( approx. 16 yrs old.) with baseboard heating and a tankless water heating system composed of a coil within the boiler that heats the water 'on-demand'.
Several plumbers and our oil supplier have offered several opinions on what to do, confusing us even more. Commonly, it was recommended that we install a water heating tank but our oil supplier recommended replacing the whole boiler since the degrading water heating coil would remain in the boiler and possibly cause damage down the line. Of course, this is the most expensive option and we're not sure that the fully operational tankless water system would even provide enough water to meet the demand of a family of four and miscellanous hot water consuming appliances.
Has anyone else in the community had any experience with this type of water heating system? Any recommendations?
Cold weather is around the corner, and we'd like to take warm-hot showers that last more than three minutes!
Thanks for your consideration!
M. |
Master Plvmber
Citizen
Username: Master_plvmber
Post Number: 548
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, August 26, 2006 - 12:36 pm: |
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I would think installing a gas-fired water heater and decomissioning the tankless coil would be your least costly option for a quick fix.
The better job would be to replace all of the equipment at the same time with a complete system designed for longevity and greater efficiency.
Have you considered a new boiler with an indirect water heater?
Master Plvmber |
avamarie
Citizen
Username: Avamarie
Post Number: 36
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, August 26, 2006 - 10:50 pm: |
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Master Plvmber, thanks for your response. I don't understand the difference between an indirect water heater and a conventional water storage tank.
Would an indirect water heater (with a new boiler) be better at providing hot water and energy efficiency?
Thanks and appreciation,
M. |
Master Plvmber
Citizen
Username: Master_plvmber
Post Number: 549
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, August 27, 2006 - 10:31 am: |
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The indirect system increases efficiency because it is a sealed unit that doesn't allow heat to escape through the chimney as does a conventional water heater.
Here is a simplified shop drawing I made to show you what it would look like atttached to a gas-fired boiler.
[IMG]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c360/ciaony/steamboilerwithindirect.jpg[/IMG]
A pump moves water from the boiler through a radiator coil in the tank to heat the stored water for domestic use.
Master Plvmber |
avamarie
Citizen
Username: Avamarie
Post Number: 37
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, August 27, 2006 - 4:39 pm: |
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Master Plvmber,
Thanks for you opinion and schematics. It seems to make sense that the best thing to do is replace the whole system. Now to find the $$$ in the budget!
Thanks again.
M. |
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