Metal Man Greg
New Member
Hello to the forum.
I am not a heating or plumbing pro.
Recently my system wasn't working and I was researching all the info I could, I ended up reading several threads about boiler sizing, I have developed a desire to learn more and possibly tweak my system to improve it's performance.
I have a Monitor Mz 25c commissioned in 1999. Through the years I have done only a little maintenance and repair and it has performed fairly well. The boiler supplies 5 zones in approximately 3200 sq ft.
I believe my load is in the 65K range. The boiler is rated at 94k input with max efficiency of 95%.
The current plumbing is output from the boiler to a manifold with 5 zones and 2 stubs for future zones. In floor 1/2" pex, 1-1/2" gypcrete. Some carpet, some tile, some wood.
The boiler has an internal circulator and there is a second circulator in the system. Individual zones do not have their own pumps.
So my first question is:
- My condensing boiler has an analog temp control and I was wondering how an outdoor reset could be added to the mix and would I benefit? My output water temp is currently set at 115-120F. Based on the (my) systems ability to relase heat into the living space in the 2 larger zones, a slightly higher water temp seems desirable during cold snaps.
Next
- I suspect that in 3 of my 5 zones demands are too small for the boiler's output or the ability to transfer heat within the zones isn't great enough. I suppose a simple answer could be to combine the zones so as to increase the demand, but that sort of defeats the original intent as some zones are preferred to be less warm. Is the addition of a storage tank something that might be relevant to this kind of issue? How does primary and secondary piping relate to the described system?
- When my boiler was down I researched some mod/cons. Hypothetically, if one's load was 50K, then that would be all the output needed. If a mod/con with a 100K max out and a 10:1 turn down were installed, would that boiler be as efficient in supporting the 50K load (aside from initial cost) as a 50K max out with a 5:1 turn down?
Some of these questions are from my thoughts about short cycling. Is short cycling in the system I described more of a shoulder season phenomenon? I don't know if it's a problem, but from time to time it seems the burner cycles somewhat frequently.
I am not a heating or plumbing pro.
Recently my system wasn't working and I was researching all the info I could, I ended up reading several threads about boiler sizing, I have developed a desire to learn more and possibly tweak my system to improve it's performance.
I have a Monitor Mz 25c commissioned in 1999. Through the years I have done only a little maintenance and repair and it has performed fairly well. The boiler supplies 5 zones in approximately 3200 sq ft.
I believe my load is in the 65K range. The boiler is rated at 94k input with max efficiency of 95%.
The current plumbing is output from the boiler to a manifold with 5 zones and 2 stubs for future zones. In floor 1/2" pex, 1-1/2" gypcrete. Some carpet, some tile, some wood.
The boiler has an internal circulator and there is a second circulator in the system. Individual zones do not have their own pumps.
So my first question is:
- My condensing boiler has an analog temp control and I was wondering how an outdoor reset could be added to the mix and would I benefit? My output water temp is currently set at 115-120F. Based on the (my) systems ability to relase heat into the living space in the 2 larger zones, a slightly higher water temp seems desirable during cold snaps.
Next
- I suspect that in 3 of my 5 zones demands are too small for the boiler's output or the ability to transfer heat within the zones isn't great enough. I suppose a simple answer could be to combine the zones so as to increase the demand, but that sort of defeats the original intent as some zones are preferred to be less warm. Is the addition of a storage tank something that might be relevant to this kind of issue? How does primary and secondary piping relate to the described system?
- When my boiler was down I researched some mod/cons. Hypothetically, if one's load was 50K, then that would be all the output needed. If a mod/con with a 100K max out and a 10:1 turn down were installed, would that boiler be as efficient in supporting the 50K load (aside from initial cost) as a 50K max out with a 5:1 turn down?
Some of these questions are from my thoughts about short cycling. Is short cycling in the system I described more of a shoulder season phenomenon? I don't know if it's a problem, but from time to time it seems the burner cycles somewhat frequently.