Radiant heat, Gas or Oil, Furnace vs. Hot water heater????

Posted by Ben Hawkins on March 20, 2003 at 10:06:57:
I have received conflicting recommendations regarding a hot water heater for heating (radiant under floor) and domestic hot water use. My plumber has advised me that I should use a cast iron furnace with a large storage tank and not a water heater. An oil and gas hot water heater manufacturer suggested oil heat with a large hot water heater with a minimum 100-gallon storage and recovery rate of over 200 gallons p/hour. A radiant heat company suggested gas fuel as preferred promoting a 96% efficient 50-gallon storage with 120-gph recovery and as an oil alternative a Bock unit with a 50-gallon storage and 166-gph recovery. Facts: 1) A new home 2,863 sq. ft. 2) Location: Portland, Maine 3) Fuel source available either propane, electric or oil. 4) Radiant heat 5) Water: 79 PSI 6) No more than 4 occupants 7) Standard dishwasher and washing machine 8) Two and half bathrooms including a master bath with a custom shower and steam room. The shower will have 10 Grohe outlets rated at 2.5 GPM each at 80 PSI. My question is what fuel and minimum tank storage size/recovery rate will give me sufficient hot water for this house? Thanks in advance for your help.

Posted by Ben Hawkins on March 20, 2003 at 10:06:57:

I have received conflicting recommendations regarding a hot water heater for heating (radiant under floor) and domestic hot water use. My plumber has advised me that I should use a cast iron furnace with a large storage tank and not a water heater. An oil and gas hot water heater manufacturer suggested oil heat with a large hot water heater with a minimum 100-gallon storage and recovery rate of over 200 gallons p/hour. A radiant heat company suggested gas fuel as preferred promoting a 96% efficient 50-gallon storage with 120-gph recovery and as an oil alternative a Bock unit with a 50-gallon storage and 166-gph recovery.
Facts:
1) A new home 2,863 sq. ft.
2) Location: Portland, Maine
3) Fuel source available either propane, electric or oil.
4) Radiant heat
5) Water: 79 PSI
6) No more than 4 occupants
7) Standard dishwasher and washing machine
8) Two and half bathrooms including a master bath with a custom shower and steam room. The shower will have 10 Grohe outlets rated at 2.5 GPM each at 80 PSI.
My question is what fuel and minimum tank storage size/recovery rate will give me sufficient hot water for this house?

Thanks in advance for your help.

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