Garage Boiler System?

[151Viper]

I am going to hook up a water heater for a boiler in my garage for heat and I have a couple questions if anyone has any experience eith this kind of system.

1. What should I use for fluid in the system? water/glycol/rv antifreeze

2. What temp should the water heater be set at?

3. Piping layout? I have 3 zones in the concrete - 1/2" pex tubing

4. Is there a specific type of circ pump I should use? aquastat?

5. What psi should the system operate at?

Any other info would be appreciated. I am not a plumber or heating tech so any help is appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Pit Crew]

i run a hot water tank, 900', 26'*26', no specific zones, just 5 loops side by side throughout the floor, i set the tank at minmum and just let it run, it keeps the shop about 12 celcius,I run a small gould circ pump and an expansion tank, system is filled with glycol (the non toxic stuff$$$$). 5-8psi

 

[151Viper]

Thanks for the reply pit crew. I am not going to zone control mine either. My garage is 28x36 and I am looking to keep it about 50 deg F which should be pretty close to yours. So are you saying you adjust the temp in the garage with the temp of the water using the water heater controls and just let the circ pump run constantly. Thanks again.

 

[BigAl]

Tie a thermostat to a pump relay to control the room temp. Wirsbo makes a neat little control for this but I don't have the number handy. The water heater will shut itself off went it's up to temp.

 

[dirtydodge]

i have a 28x40 and run a natgas hot water tank with the normal circulating pump tied into a thermostat at about 22 pounds with antifreeze/water.

i am looking at changing my hot water tank out to a bosch on demand water heater, way smaller and more efficient.

 

[bigbone]

watch out for the on demand water heater, some of them wont move enough gpm. Don't run your water temp over 125deg.

 

[Pit Crew]

you cant make the bosch unit work I tried, the fluid cannot be preheated entering the unit or it trips off...........I have one I can sell ya.

 

[Pit Crew]

yes

Thanks for the reply pit crew. I am not going to zone control mine either. My garage is 28x36 and I am looking to keep it about 50 deg F which should be pretty close to yours. So are you saying you adjust the temp in the garage with the temp of the water using the water heater controls and just let the circ pump run constantly. Thanks again.

Thats exactly what I am doing now, I will be adding zone valves and heating a suite upstairs down the road. for now it works great

 

[hilinerider]

i have a waste oil boiler in my shop, 60 x 120 350,000 btu boiler, goulds circulating and preheat pumps, mixer valve and shutdowns, work sweet, i keep the temp at 65

 

[Pit Crew]

bosch may have a once through made for hydronic heat systems? I know the water heater wont work.

 

[Trenchmaster]

I installed my hot water tank about five feet above the floor on a shelf, it helps the circ pump get suction. I run the tank temp about 90 degrees F, the circ pump is triggered by the thermostat, which I set at 12 degrees C. I run de-mineralized water with glycol and have never had to top it up in five years use. When the tank is up to temperature the pressure on the system is about 22 PSI. My shop is 34x28 and I really like the in floor heat, it's great for when you have to be on the floor doing work in the winter.

 

[Pit Crew]

I run demin water/glycol as well, according to our water treatment consultant at work I should test the Ph annually (9-9.5).

 

[dirtydodge]

you cant make the bosch unit work I tried, the fluid cannot be preheated entering the unit or it trips off...........I have one I can sell ya.

odd, my 2 neighbors have them and they haven't had any trouble with them.