boilers for domestic hot water
I’m in the process of getting quotes for a new gas boiler for my home. Our existing boiler is from the 30’s.
- house is heated with radiators
- live in ontario,
- current hot water heater is also old and in same room as boiler
question:
I am wondering if it is a good idea to have my boiler double as the heat source for domestic hot water?
How does it work?
Thanks
darrell
Replies
You could try http://www.nythermal.com
"I am wondering if it is a good idea to have my boiler double as the heat source for domestic hot water?
How does it work?"
Generally it is better to get your DHW from a boiler. Gas water heaters are notoriously inefficient, and electricity is generally the most expensive way to heat water.
If you get a more efficient boiler, you will get a bonus dividend using it for DHW as well. This will leverage your investment in efficient equipment.
The best setup (IMO) is an indirect tank. This acts just like another zone on your heating system with its own circulator (or zone valve). The indirect should get "priority zoning", meaning that when the DHW zone calls for heat, all of the other zones are shut out until the DHW load is satisfied.
As a bonus, a typical indirect setup will provide endless hot water under typical loads.
Best of luck.
darrell, I can only give you my opinion as a user. In 89 we installed a boiler in our new house to heat the radiant floor and domestic hw. We used an amtrol storage tank. A year ago the tank developed a pin-hole leak in the top. This tank wasn't very insulated if at all. The heat given off would heat the boiler room quite a bit. We replaced it with a Weil Mclain tank. This unit is insulated very well. It was my understanding at the time that for the efficient boiler to work throughout the year was actually beneficial for the boiler. Old boilers had to heat way more water to do the same thing that the newer, more efficient ones do. I am satisfied with the recovery when used. I'm thinking it's easier to bring up the make up water to temp. During the summer before gas doubled, gas usage here in NW Ohio was 17.00/mo. for DHW, cooking, and clothes drying. We're running about 30 during the summer now with family of 3. I had the choice and did it again. As we say here, your milage may vary.
Weil-Mclain Gold Plus- 36 gal Limited Lifetime Warranty........so hopefully no uncovered tank leak to worry about.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
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