ECN Forum Forums Photo Discussion Forums Violation Photo Forum Boilers

No, we don't. If I find the folder I'm going to scan the original schematics. The boiler loop is just boiler - heat exchanger - pump - boiler and a couple of ball cocks.

The heating loop didn't get any circulation at all, except for gravity, the pump shorted out the whole heating system.

The whole thing is non-electric, except for the pumps...

To clarify one thing: this is a weekend home. When it's occupied we set the timeclock to permanent operation and back to 2-3 hours a day when we leave.
Since the house is very small (65 sq. m. living area) the system does keep the house warm, even in -20C weather (slightly below 0°F).
The system probably ran 365 days a year from 1998 when it was installed until 2008 when we put it on a timeclock. Apparently the previous owner kept the house at a toasty 20C year-round because she firmly believed in the necessity of doing this to keep the house dry. It does work, but I guess she'd better spent the money on a damp-proof course in the brick walls rather than on gas.

actually i work at one of the better boiler rooms, the portland vetrans administration hospital, the boiler room floors are spotless, the space is well lit, the three 25 year old cleaver brooks boilers look brand new, and the piping is well marked, also there is no junk piled up

Here's a home designed and built boiler system:

This is a system that grew over time. It started with two electric boilers. Then a gas boiler was added and the electric boilers were kept as back-up. Plate exchangers were installed either to keep systems separate or because of pressure fluctuations. The second electric boiler and a pump are in a shop and another pump is in the pool house. A fan/coil unit with another pump is out of the picture.

There are several levels of priority: 1) DHW, 2) House, 3) Shop, and 4) Pool. Air conditioning is held off if the house is heating. A call for heat will start either the gas or electric boiler, a main circulating pump, a plate exchanger pump and the appropriate zone.

The controller is a Zelio programmable relay. Before the relay, the owner had an extension cord on each pump.

Unfortunately, the boilers are all too small and they still need to use the fireplace to heat the house.