Looking to Install a Boiler

Rob R. wrote:

GoodProphets wrote:I have been reading a few posts where copper fin bb is just not cutting it.

If there isn't enough radiation, you will be cold...that holds true for baseboard, convectors, free standing radiators, etc.

I will agree with that 100%
I would image my readings were either installed wrong, or undersized to save money!
I suppose at one time in history (which is still going on) people think the cast iron stand ups are eye sores.
And I am sure many leaks after 50-100+ years
They rip them out and do a "quicky" install of copper fin without every calculating.

Like I said, I never priced them out, so measure them up to total cost
and also total work involved and time spent on install.

If you spend the winter calculating by spring/summer you can get er done by next winter!

If you have any desire for cast iron, maybe find a flipper or contractor that may
give you a good deal??

Just to see some styles available

http://www.antiqueplumbingandradiators.com/

Search CL, as I have found a lot of singles for cheap, less than $100
(I was looking for one or two a couple months ago, but decided to just wait a bit)
Do a search and you will find many ( I just did)

If copper is $10/ft that sounds about the same price. +/-

Just make sure your "antique" radiation is purchased in relation to the heat loss calculation of the area. Lets not forget that pretty radiator that is only half the size necessary [ or over-sized ] will be a PITA come January.

Not sure if this is psychological or physiological or human science but here is something to consider

http://www.finehomebuilding.com/how-to/qa/baseboa ... -heat.aspx

The house I grew up in, and my current house both have baseboards. I've also been in plenty of old houses around town over the course of my lifetime and have seen large, steam radiators in action. You just can't beat the warmth of 300 lbs. of iron - laws of physics there. It's nice to toss wet clothes on, or to stand next to on a subzero January morning. Nothing better.

That said, I've never been cold in a home with baseboard heat, provided you don;t mind twisting up that thermostat on the wall there. Since I've hooked up my stoker boiler, the 2 zones are twisted to 72°. I'm comfortable - and that's all that matters. I'm sure I'd enjoy giant cast radiators more, but in this house, space is at a premium - one of the benefits of baseboards is their size.

One thing to factor into sizing baseboards that I never hear too much about is, how dirty they will end up getting. If you have pets, plan on them being packed with fur over time. I haven't cleaned mine in 10 years, so they're stuffed full ... but they're still working. Half of them are buried in my wife's clothes and other crap, so nothing here is optimal. Apparently, the guy oversized them, so this isn't an issue ... at least so far. It's not January yet ...

anthony7812 wrote:

Sting wrote: Can you thread pipe?

I can but I do not have the required tools to do that at home. I've only threaded black pipe maybe 2 or 3 times, not much demand for black pipe as an electrician.

*cough*PEX*cough*

http://www.columbiaheatingsupply.com/page_images/ ... 0Guide.pdf

Radiator sizing guide.

I've been where you are going...get and read the books that *Sting* requires.
Those books will give you the Knowledge you will need in order to see the pathway needed to be able to build YOUR OWN UNIQUE INSTALL.
It is difficult to advise from afar.

Just to give you an idea of cost. Same as you, I put a complete system in 3 or 4 years ago. I have a 1700 square foot ranch style home . Used copper all the way. It cost me $8,100.00 just in materials, including boiler. I hired a friend of mine to help move things along. All said & done, the project cost me $10,400.00. And that's being conservative. I also did not skimp on anything.

oliver power wrote:Just to give you an idea of cost. Same as you, I put a complete system in 3 or 4 years ago. I have a 1700 square foot ranch style home . Used copper all the way. It cost me $8,100.00 just in materials, including boiler. I hired a friend of mine to help move things along. All said & done, the project cost me $10,400.00. And that's being conservative. I also did not skimp on anything.

Was this a new boiler or refurbed? I figured top dollar with a refurb would be around 8-10

Don't forget to look at a Keystoker boiler.

anthony7812 wrote:

oliver power wrote:Just to give you an idea of cost. Same as you, I put a complete system in 3 or 4 years ago. I have a 1700 square foot ranch style home . Used copper all the way. It cost me $8,100.00 just in materials, including boiler. I hired a friend of mine to help move things along. All said & done, the project cost me $10,400.00. And that's being conservative. I also did not skimp on anything.

Was this a new boiler or refurbed? I figured top dollar with a refurb would be around 8-10

It was a new boiler. KEYSTOKER model Kaa-2 (Look at the picture to the right). Without looking, I believe the boiler itself was around $3,500.00. I purchased the boiler 3 or 4 years before the install. Everything else, I purchased at the time of install, which was 3 or 4 years ago............ How time flies.

So my Hvac friend came over and he drew me up a map of layout and did a heat calc and etc etc etc. So here are the preliminaries, 5 zones all with individual circ pumps. Both agreed that if a main circ were to be used I would be dead in water if it failed until new pump is installed. Dont want that with no other "main" heat source. Me and Thad(Hvac Friend) disagree on DHW install. I want to just make a small cold inlet loop into my electric water heater(three ball valves and 2 new T's) he wants to install a circ and a expansion tank and keep the entire tank up to temp. I don't see that added cost being a benefit, how often would my electric kick on to maintain? Not often with 3 women in my house!!! Basement... semi heated. I'll explain, I have a bathroom in basement thats MINE. No ladies crap just my shower a throne and a sink/vanity. I want that heated. We talked it over and decided the best route for that is make that bath its own zone and put a 6ft section or longer of cast iron radiator next to my window and (soon to be) basement door in the open section of basement. I'm thinking this would be a perfect designated dump zone, making the castiron be the last element before return. That bath is maybe 8x6 in a 27x50ish basement, Im sure that section will be an awesome dump zone. I will have a small small heat demand but will be able to drop alot of temp if needed. Like I stated this is preliminary, so thoughts suggestions welcome.

I might use a kick space type heater for the man cave bathroom. Keep her cool when not in use and heat her up pretty fast when you need her. Of course a big freaking Modine heater in there would kick ash! Lol!

Carbon12 wrote:I might use a kick space type heater for the man cave bathroom. Keep her cool when not in use and heat her up pretty fast when you need her. Of course a big freaking Modine heater in there would kick ash! Lol!

I have thought about it. Not outta the realm yet.