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craigsward User is Offline

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02/18/2009 9:37 PM
Thanks everyone for all the info on these forums. This section has been a big inspiration on my hydronic radiant project. The downstairs of my house is currently unfinished and unheated. The area to be finished is about 1200 sq ft. Heat loss on the entire area is 30k btu/hr. The plan is to use Roth panels for the PEX tubing over the slab. I would like to put a small condensing boiler in to support the system. The snag is it has to be oil. It doesn't seem like there are many small oil condensing boilers offered for this sized area. I have come across 3 units: Monitor, Peerless Pinnacle; and Viessmann. The only one that seems small enough is the Viessmann unit. Any reccomendations on the best fit unit? How do these things price out? If i recall aren't the Viessmann units typically the cadillacs? In commercial it seems to be that way.

craigsward User is Offline

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03/03/2009 9:46 PM
Is the Viessmann Vitoplus 300 condensing oil fired boiler available in the US? I only can find info as being listed in the UK, surprise...

craigsward User is Offline

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03/04/2009 10:11 AM
It doesn't seem anyone wants to comment on this so i'll keep posting as i learn more. I really woudl like to put a small condensing oil fed boiler in but it seems these are going to be quite expensive. The four units i have come across are Viessmann Vitoplus 300 (i think only availble in UK); Buderus GB125BE; Monitor FCX; and Peerless Pinnacle. It seems just the boiler and trim kits put all of these at around $4-5k. I'm second guessing myself hear and thinking maybe a small oil fed water heater, like the Bock 20e Space Savr, in a closed loop is a good option. Its relatively small, inexpensive, decent efficiency, and low enough BTU's for my space. My utlilty room is kind of tight with a full furnace and an electric hot water heater in there already. So if i can't afford a smaller condensing boiler, and a full size boiler may just be too tight, this seems like possibly a good option?? Although i'll do some solar thermal for my DHW eventually i sure wouldn't mind getting rid of that electric sink of a hot water heater. But i think most of you frown upon an Open hot water heater system for DHW and radiant, and from what i read for good reason. So i'll probably stay away from that. Efficiency is very important to me, but i am on a budget, and seeing i already have a furnace and expensive electrc hot water heater i need to find a happy medium between efficiency, space savings, and budget. Any suggestions??

retrobolted User is Offline

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03/04/2009 12:03 PM
Hi Craigsward, I'm sorry I have no suggestions at this point, but just a note to say that I have just found myself in the same situation and will soon be looking into this myself. I would be grateful if you post tips, etc., that you discover, and I will be sure to do the same. One question: why do you need both a boiler and an electric hot water heater? Why not just the boiler? It wouldn't have to be an open system, would it? (Use a heat exchanger.) Also, if your system demand is small enough, why not just use one oil-fired hot water heater for both DHW and radiant? (Maybe they are terribly inefficient...I don't know.) cheers.

NRT.Rob

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Posts:715

03/04/2009 12:06 PM
it all depends on the heat load you are servicing what will make sense. I have never had a client use a condensing oil boiler, but my understanding is for the modulating ones (like the FCX) the grade of oil is very important.

-=Northeast Radiant Technology=- NRTradiant.com

craigsward User is Offline

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03/04/2009 3:21 PM
I currently have a furnace the supplies heating/cooling upstairs and an electric hot water heater for my DHW. I just bought the house so i inherited this setup. The electric WH is pretty expensive here in CT, so i wouldl like to get away from the whole setup. A tankless WH or boiler with heat exchanger may be the way to go. Not sure yet.

GuyB

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Posts:21

03/04/2009 7:53 PM
I just returned from Viessmann condensing boiler training. The instructor spent about 2 minutes on oil fired condensing products. They do have a product but no plans to offer in the US in the next few years. The two biggest impediments are fuel quality and sulfur content. The latter causes problems in the condensing operation due to soot and highly acidic condensate which build upon each other. PH of nat gas boiler condensate is 3.5-5, oil can be 1 pt lower. His advice is to convert oil customers to propane.

craigsward User is Offline

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03/04/2009 10:57 PM
I am getting further and further away from a condensing or modulating boiler and boilers all together for a couple reasons. I need to stick to oil, there aren't alot of offerings, they are expensive especially if i want DHW from it as well. And a standard efficiency boiler is just to big for my utility room. With that said i am thinking the Toyotomi 180 oil fed tankless water heater would be a great solution for radiant and DHW. Its 88% efficient, lightweight and small. There are a lot of posts over at heatinghelp.com and how its a good solution for this application, but not a lot of details or actual stories of using the system. Has anyone had success or failures using this unit? This runs off #2 oil or kerosene. Direct Vent is the ideal install method.

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