jimdeq said:To answer everyones questions, my tarm is "Solo 60". So far above 25 degrees equals one fire per 24 hrs. Lower than 25 degrees equals one fire every 12 hrs. I have figured out to not let the bottom of storage get below 120 due to termovar function upon restart. Jebatty, I liked the option you described, because I don't always want my shop at 60 degrees. If I leave for a week or go on vacation I would probably turn it down and let the unit heater due a quick recovery when I'm home. I understand thermal mass but I want to keep it easy for my wife and kids to do the boiler. I want to use gylcol for the shop loop. I already have about 40 gallons from a friend. The heat exchanger I have in my basement has 1- 1/4 supply and return from boiler, but the problem is it has a 3/4 inch restriction where it ties into the 1 -1/4 inch thermopex. It is a stainless tube in shell pool exchanger.
DBB: I don't understand outdoor reset or injection mixing circuit. If you could explain to me what type of mixing valve has a CV close to total flow? I don't understand what all that means? I have a WATTS 3/4 inch mixing valve, but don't know if that is correct. Also, if I go one pump, will I burn more electricity with the high head pump vs. two small pumps?
Thanks for all the imput. Jim
Cv = Flow coefficient or flow capacity rating of the valve and it is typically chosen close to the total flow of the distribution loop for a 1psi drop which equates to 2.3ft of head that the pump must overcome. So for example if you needed 5gpm flow and had a lower Cv valve say 3, your pump would have to overcome more pressure (psi) or head to flow those same gpm's. Most manufactures list their valves Cv or can be looked up at least, and it is fairly common practice to match a valve's Cv to the total flow which also allows the valve to mix properly.
I don't actually know your heat loss so I can't give you any suggestions but my guess is that your valve may be just fine, there is after all some 'lee-way'. It's also hard to determine whether or not one pump vs. two will save you electricity without knowing your heat loss.
You most likely would save electricity by going with, as ew pointed out, a variable speed ECM but probably only involving injection mixing (a whole other animal) because the pump would vary its speed and typically only run at 30-50% rated output hence electricity savings.
Once your heat loss is known many things can be determined...or at least calculated.
Oh yeah.... GO PACK
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