Hi everyone, forgive my cluelessness. We are first time homeowners in
CT and I grew up in Southern Cal. So now I have this house with an
oil-burning boiler set at about 180 (from what I've read this is not
abnormal). It seemed fine until winter hit (and this one is a doozy)
and now I'm lucky to get a lukewarm shower. Its a little better if I
crank the heat for the house, but certainly not a hot shower. One
plumber said we needed a hot water tank, but I'm unsure if this is
wise to put in now if we are going to central heat and air this
spring. Basically I'm loathe to spend a lot of money that we wont
need in the future. Can one put in a hot water tank that works with
the oil burning tankless/coil system and then later with a central,
gas driven system? We actually have a gas line down there now coming
into the basement if that makes a difference.

Any help very welcomed - I'm cranky without a hot bath!

On Feb 4, 11:02*am, Dairy Godmother wrote:
Hi everyone, forgive my cluelessness. *We are first time homeowners in
CT and I grew up in Southern Cal. *So now I have this house with an
oil-burning boiler set at about 180 (from what I've read this is not
abnormal). *It seemed fine until winter hit (and this one is a doozy)
and now I'm lucky to get a lukewarm shower. *Its a little better if I
crank the heat for the house, but certainly not a hot shower. *One
plumber said we needed a hot water tank, but I'm unsure if this is
wise to put in now if we are going to central heat and air this
spring. *Basically I'm loathe to spend a lot of money that we wont
need in the future. *Can one put in a hot water tank that works with
the oil burning tankless/coil system and then later with a central,
gas driven system? *We actually have a gas line down there now coming
into the basement if that makes a difference.

Any help very welcomed - I'm cranky without a hot bath!

www.heatinghelp.com is where boiler pros are. You have a coil in the
boiler for HW? So fix it. its not leaking so it cant be that hard. You
are changing from a boiler and radiators to a furnace and ducts,
remove radiators? You need a few more opinions on that. I didnt we
just added Spacepack. What is he paying you for your radiators!

"Dairy Godmother" wrote in message
...
Hi everyone, forgive my cluelessness. We are first time homeowners in
CT and I grew up in Southern Cal. So now I have this house with an
oil-burning boiler set at about 180 (from what I've read this is not
abnormal). It seemed fine until winter hit (and this one is a doozy)
and now I'm lucky to get a lukewarm shower. Its a little better if I
crank the heat for the house, but certainly not a hot shower. One
plumber said we needed a hot water tank, but I'm unsure if this is
wise to put in now if we are going to central heat and air this
spring. Basically I'm loathe to spend a lot of money that we wont
need in the future. Can one put in a hot water tank that works with
the oil burning tankless/coil system and then later with a central,
gas driven system? We actually have a gas line down there now coming
into the basement if that makes a difference.

Any help very welcomed - I'm cranky without a hot bath!

The problem you are facing is that when the circulator pump goes on to bring
hot water up to your radiators, it also brings down the cooler water that is
in your system. This lowers the temperature of the heat exchanger in the
tankless coil and therefore the temperature of your shower water. If you do
not want to make an investment now, one thing you could do simply turn down
the house thermostat to 50° a few minutes before you take the shower. This
will shut off the circulation in the heating system and allow the boiler to
heat the water in the tankless coil to near 180°. Don't forget to put the
thermostat back to normal when you are finished with the shower or you will
end up with hot water in a very cold house!!

Ultimately what you should have is a separate water heater, gas if you have
it, electric if you don't. This will work independently of your heating
system, whether boiler/radiator or furnace/fan. It will also be much
cheaper to run in the non-heating season as you do not have to keep your
boiler on just to make hot water.

(By the way, if you keep your current system with the tankless coil, you can
use the output of the tankless coil to feed your water heater. Therefore
when your boiler is running, you will be feeding warm--not ice cold--water
into the heater and thus save a lot of cost of running the water heater).
--
Peace,
BobJ

"Dairy Godmother" wrote in message
...
Hi everyone, forgive my cluelessness. We are first time homeowners in
CT and I grew up in Southern Cal. So now I have this house with an
oil-burning boiler set at about 180 (from what I've read this is not
abnormal). It seemed fine until winter hit (and this one is a doozy)
and now I'm lucky to get a lukewarm shower. Its a little better if I
crank the heat for the house, but certainly not a hot shower. One
plumber said we needed a hot water tank, but I'm unsure if this is
wise to put in now if we are going to central heat and air this
spring. Basically I'm loathe to spend a lot of money that we wont
need in the future. Can one put in a hot water tank that works with
the oil burning tankless/coil system and then later with a central,
gas driven system? We actually have a gas line down there now coming
into the basement if that makes a difference.

Any help very welcomed - I'm cranky without a hot bath!

It's pretty clear as to what you have currently, but not as clear as to what
you are getting. You have a bad domestic coil running through the hot water
jacket of the boiler currently and not producing enough hot water. This coil
can be replaced or you could get an indirect hot water tank, which works off
of the same boiler, as a separate zone and are very efficient. If you are
replacing the boiler with a furnace and doing away with your hot water
system altogether, you would want to get a gas, independent hot water tank,
having no association with the oil burner that will be removed. If you are
replacing the oil burner with a gas fired boiler, which could be
incorporated into a new heating system via coils, (hydro-air), you could
reconnect an indirect tank to that unit as well.

"Dairy Godmother" wrote in message
...
Hi everyone, forgive my cluelessness. We are first time homeowners in
CT and I grew up in Southern Cal. So now I have this house with an
oil-burning boiler set at about 180 (from what I've read this is not
abnormal). It seemed fine until winter hit (and this one is a doozy)
and now I'm lucky to get a lukewarm shower. Its a little better if I
crank the heat for the house, but certainly not a hot shower. One
plumber said we needed a hot water tank, but I'm unsure if this is
wise to put in now if we are going to central heat and air this
spring. Basically I'm loathe to spend a lot of money that we wont
need in the future. Can one put in a hot water tank that works with
the oil burning tankless/coil system and then later with a central,
gas driven system? We actually have a gas line down there now coming
into the basement if that makes a difference.

Any help very welcomed - I'm cranky without a hot bath!

Good chance that either the tankless coil is clogged or the mixing valve it
not working In either case, fixing it and then replacing the entire unit
later is a waste of money.

Short answer, yes you can put in an indirect fired tank and yes, it can be
used later with the new system. Are you sticking with the hot water heat
for the house?

I recently replaced by boiler with a new efficient oil boiler and indirect
fired water tank. Works great and the first hour draw is over 200 gallons.
I put in the Energy Kinetics System 2000. There are many efficient gas
systems available too. Since you have a gas line already, a regular gas HW
can be a good way to go.

Be sure to use the $500 rebate from the state. CT also has 100% financing at
0% interest for 10 years if you upgrade. I don't have the link here,but I
can give it to you if you want it.

Marilyn & Bob wrote:

"Dairy Godmother" wrote in message
...
Hi everyone, forgive my cluelessness. We are first time homeowners in
CT and I grew up in Southern Cal. So now I have this house with an
oil-burning boiler set at about 180 (from what I've read this is not
abnormal). It seemed fine until winter hit (and this one is a doozy)
and now I'm lucky to get a lukewarm shower. Its a little better if I
crank the heat for the house, but certainly not a hot shower. One
plumber said we needed a hot water tank, but I'm unsure if this is
wise to put in now if we are going to central heat and air this
spring. Basically I'm loathe to spend a lot of money that we wont
need in the future. Can one put in a hot water tank that works with
the oil burning tankless/coil system and then later with a central,
gas driven system? We actually have a gas line down there now coming
into the basement if that makes a difference.

Any help very welcomed - I'm cranky without a hot bath!

The problem you are facing is that when the circulator pump goes on to bring
hot water up to your radiators, it also brings down the cooler water that is
in your system. This lowers the temperature of the heat exchanger in the
tankless coil and therefore the temperature of your shower water. If you do
not want to make an investment now, one thing you could do simply turn down
the house thermostat to 50° a few minutes before you take the shower. This
will shut off the circulation in the heating system and allow the boiler to
heat the water in the tankless coil to near 180°. Don't forget to put the
thermostat back to normal when you are finished with the shower or you will
end up with hot water in a very cold house!!

Ultimately what you should have is a separate water heater, gas if you have
it, electric if you don't. This will work independently of your heating
system, whether boiler/radiator or furnace/fan. It will also be much
cheaper to run in the non-heating season as you do not have to keep your
boiler on just to make hot water.

(By the way, if you keep your current system with the tankless coil, you can
use the output of the tankless coil to feed your water heater. Therefore
when your boiler is running, you will be feeding warm--not ice cold--water
into the heater and thus save a lot of cost of running the water heater).
--
Peace,
BobJ

Yes, if you have gas service already, just install a standalone gas
water heater now. If you are switching to a gas fired furnace / A/C
setup it will require a separate water heater anyway since a furnace
(heats air vs. a boiler heating water) does not provide for hot water.
No money spent to add a separate gas water heater now will be wasted,
and gas water heaters are pretty inexpensive anyway.

Having spent some 34 years in CT with an oil fired boiler and tankless
DHW coil, I can tell you that if they are in reasonable condition they
work just fine. Yours may be suffering from hard water scale buildup
which will cut the heat transfer to the water in the coil.

Dairy Godmother wrote:
Hi everyone, forgive my cluelessness. We are first time homeowners in
CT and I grew up in Southern Cal. So now I have this house with an
oil-burning boiler set at about 180 (from what I've read this is not
abnormal). It seemed fine until winter hit (and this one is a doozy)
and now I'm lucky to get a lukewarm shower. Its a little better if I
crank the heat for the house, but certainly not a hot shower. One
plumber said we needed a hot water tank, but I'm unsure if this is
wise to put in now if we are going to central heat and air this
spring. Basically I'm loathe to spend a lot of money that we wont
need in the future. Can one put in a hot water tank that works with
the oil burning tankless/coil system and then later with a central,
gas driven system? We actually have a gas line down there now coming
into the basement if that makes a difference.

Any help very welcomed - I'm cranky without a hot bath!

If you're going to replace your boiler with a furnace and A/C ducted system,
won't you have to install a water heater anyway? I mean, your new gas
furnace won't heat water... or will it? We don't have boilers in my part of
the country...

On Feb 4, 3:36*pm, Bubba wrote:
On Wed, 4 Feb 2009 12:02:11 -0800 (PST), ransley





wrote:
On Feb 4, 11:02*am, Dairy Godmother wrote:
Hi everyone, forgive my cluelessness. *We are first time homeowners in
CT and I grew up in Southern Cal. *So now I have this house with an
oil-burning boiler set at about 180 (from what I've read this is not
abnormal). *It seemed fine until winter hit (and this one is a doozy)
and now I'm lucky to get a lukewarm shower. *Its a little better if I
crank the heat for the house, but certainly not a hot shower. *One
plumber said we needed a hot water tank, but I'm unsure if this is
wise to put in now if we are going to central heat and air this
spring. *Basically I'm loathe to spend a lot of money that we wont
need in the future. *Can one put in a hot water tank that works with
the oil burning tankless/coil system and then later with a central,
gas driven system? *We actually have a gas line down there now coming
into the basement if that makes a difference.

Any help very welcomed - I'm cranky without a hot bath!

www.heatinghelp.comis where boiler pros are. You have a coil in the
boiler for HW? So fix it. its not leaking so it cant be that hard. You
are changing from a boiler and radiators to a furnace and ducts,
remove radiators? You need a few more opinions on that. I didnt we
just added Spacepack. What is he paying you for your radiators!

yeah ransley. A coil in the boiler for HW. I know thats hard for you
to believe but its technology that been around for over 50 yrs now you
dolt.
Fix it. It cant be that hard. Sure ransley. Maybe a stick of chewing
gum and some duct tape should do it.
What is he paying for radiators? Leave it to you ransley to take that
and make it something about you being a tight ass.
What it costs to disconnect and carry those things down from the
second floor and out of the house will negate any money they would
make on selling the radiators you tightwad.
Bubba- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Nobody diagnosed it. I know you dont have alot of boilers in your
area, but friends I know regret previous owners were conned to going
forced air. Where I am at -20f, radiators are quiet, hold heat and
radiate for hours. Ive lived with all types of heat and forced air is
not the same. Adding Space Pack is what is done in this above average
town, junking a HW system, is what con artists do here. Reselling used
radiators is big business in chicago, They cost alot, I have extra I
wont sell. They are put in new construction and additions here. They
work.

"HeyBub" wrote in message
m...
Dairy Godmother wrote:
Hi everyone, forgive my cluelessness. We are first time homeowners in
CT and I grew up in Southern Cal. So now I have this house with an
oil-burning boiler set at about 180 (from what I've read this is not
abnormal). It seemed fine until winter hit (and this one is a doozy)
and now I'm lucky to get a lukewarm shower. Its a little better if I
crank the heat for the house, but certainly not a hot shower. One
plumber said we needed a hot water tank, but I'm unsure if this is
wise to put in now if we are going to central heat and air this
spring. Basically I'm loathe to spend a lot of money that we wont
need in the future. Can one put in a hot water tank that works with
the oil burning tankless/coil system and then later with a central,
gas driven system? We actually have a gas line down there now coming
into the basement if that makes a difference.

Any help very welcomed - I'm cranky without a hot bath!

Is the hot water the same in the kitchen sink and other sinks , ect.???
If not maybe the ho****er pipe going to the bathroom goes through an
unheated space or up an exterior wall which would explain why it was fine
till winter....

On Feb 4, 4:57*pm, "HeyBub" wrote:
Dairy Godmother wrote:
Hi everyone, forgive my cluelessness. *We are first time homeowners in
CT and I grew up in Southern Cal. *So now I have this house with an
oil-burning boiler set at about 180 (from what I've read this is not
abnormal). *It seemed fine until winter hit (and this one is a doozy)
and now I'm lucky to get a lukewarm shower. *Its a little better if I
crank the heat for the house, but certainly not a hot shower. *One
plumber said we needed a hot water tank, but I'm unsure if this is
wise to put in now if we are going to central heat and air this
spring. *Basically I'm loathe to spend a lot of money that we wont
need in the future. *Can one put in a hot water tank that works with
the oil burning tankless/coil system and then later with a central,
gas driven system? *We actually have a gas line down there now coming
into the basement if that makes a difference.

Any help very welcomed - I'm cranky without a hot bath!

If you're going to replace your boiler with a furnace and A/C ducted system,
won't you have to install a water heater anyway? I mean, your new gas
furnace won't heat water... or will it? We don't have boilers in my part of
the country...- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Wow, about time. That's exactly the solution. Since they're going
to go to a gas furnace and AC soon, they will need a water heater
anyway. Just put that it now. Problem solved. Of course the next
issue will be whether it should be traditional or tankless. A little
googling will produce plenty of threads on that topic.

Just want to thank everyone for all the posts. It didnt click that
something was wrong with what we had, but that it was just something
people live with here (I know, not a very bright thought). I'm just
sad we didnt figure it out during the home inspections! I think I"m
going to have the boiler serviced to get the radiators all working
(not sure if I mentioned that little problem) then have a hot water
tank added with the gas line -- since it sounds like I can use it now
(with boiler coil water) and later (if/when we get a central air heat
system).

Funny to look up and realize you are one of those people you laugh at
on TV -- who buy a house with 'charm' and have no idea how to take
care of it!! Thanks everyone.

The problem you are facing is that when the circulator pump goes on to bring
hot water up to your radiators, it also brings down the cooler water that is
in your system. This lowers the temperature of the heat exchanger in the
tankless coil and therefore the temperature of your shower water.

OH..........that makes sense.

If you do
not want to make an investment now, one thing you could do simply turn down
the house thermostat to 50° a few minutes before you take the shower. This
will shut off the circulation in the heating system and allow the boiler to
heat the water in the tankless coil to near 180°.

Wow, we had been doing the opposite with limited success -- thanks!

Ultimately what you should have is a separate water heater, gas if you have
it, electric if you don't. This will work independently of your heating
system, whether boiler/radiator or furnace/fan. It will also be much
cheaper to run in the non-heating season as you do not have to keep your
boiler on just to make hot water. (By the way, if you keep your current system
with the tankless coil, you can
use the output of the tankless coil to feed your water heater. Therefore
when your boiler is running, you will be feeding warm--not ice cold--water
into the heater and thus save a lot of cost of running the water heater).

That makes sense. I actually like the old cast iron radiators when
they are working properly. Radiant heat feels a little kinder on the
system than hot air blowing - we have enough of that ;-)


Peace,
BobJ

thanks BobJ

Yes, if you have gas service already, just install a standalone gas
water heater now. If you are switching to a gas fired furnace / A/C
setup it will require a separate water heater anyway since a furnace
(heats air vs. a boiler heating water) does not provide for hot water.
No money spent to add a separate gas water heater now will be wasted,
and gas water heaters are pretty inexpensive anyway.

Thats exactly what I wanted to hear. Thanks for understanding my
rambling.


Having spent some 34 years in CT with an oil fired boiler and tankless
DHW coil, I can tell you that if they are in reasonable condition they
work just fine. Yours may be suffering from hard water scale buildup
which will cut the heat transfer to the water in the coil.

Great to know. I'd rather repair what I have than replace it all --
but I just didnt know if it was normal 9sounds dumb I know, as if the
whole northeast was taking lukewarm baths)