rinnai QP130N alternatives

[tommyp]

Putting on a 30x38 garage with some living space in back. It is being attached to my current 1000sqft house. Converting to NG and putting a boiler in the garage. The garage/addition is slab on grade radiant and the house will be run off of an air handler.

Working with a plumber he sent my plans over to FW webb. Got a quote back for $11.5k in parts his cost. The speced a QP130N boiler for over $6k. Yeah that probably isn't going to work with the budget. Is there any alternatives that are more cost effective? Navien NCB-240?

 

[Jackfre]

Your options would include the Navies, Buderus, Lochinvar, Bosch, HTI and others.

 

[tommyp]

Your options would include the Navies, Buderus, Lochinvar, Bosch, HTI and others.

Cool, Any specific one that would work better or last longer? I have been looking through them and a lot aren't combi units.

Looking at this triangle but isn't as powerful as the rinnai.

http://www.supplyhouse.com/Triangle-Tube-CC-125-96000-BTU-Output-Challenger-Combo-Boiler-Space-Heating-Domestic-Hot-Water

or this greenstar

http://www.supplyhouse.com/Buderus-ZWB-42-3-Greenstar-151-117000-BTU-Combi-Gas-Fired-Wall-Hung-Condensing-Boiler

or the navien which is about $2k.

 

[Radix2]

Cool, Any specific one that would work better or last longer? I have been looking through them and a lot aren't combi units.

Looking at this triangle but isn't as powerful as the rinnai.

http://www.supplyhouse.com/Triangle-Tube-CC-125-96000-BTU-Output-Challenger-Combo-Boiler-Space-Heating-Domestic-Hot-Water

or this greenstar

http://www.supplyhouse.com/Buderus-ZWB-42-3-Greenstar-151-117000-BTU-Combi-Gas-Fired-Wall-Hung-Condensing-Boiler

or the navien which is about $2k.

Are you certain the combi is the way you want to go? For the cost of an indirect tank and circulator, you would open up all the std boilers. The combi may be less?, but your storage will be small.

 

[tommyp]

Are you certain the combi is the way you want to go? For the cost of an indirect tank and circulator, you would open up all the std boilers. The combi may be less?, but your storage will be small.

Wasn't thinking about that. Not set on a combi just want a cost effective solution. I could run a regular boiler and a on demand. I would like to stay away from a tank. Just for space issues.

 

[Jackfre]

Tommy, I was the Rinnai rep in New England for 20 years. I'm kinda partial. My opinion is that you may find cheaper than the Rinnai but you won't find better. My view on these things is you find the right contractor and put in what he likes and can take care of. That is what is important to you when it is 0* or less and things are on the fritz. That QP model is a fully factory piped & packaged unit. They will roll it in, set it and it will look like a small refrigerator. They attach the top, left or right piping manifold, set it up and it is done. It is an excellent unit but definitely pricey. Ask your dealer for a price on the Q130S. That is the same boiler with some field assembly required. You can then go with a separate indirect or a separate tankless for dhw. Exactly where are you in the frozen North?

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

50 gallon ng water heater with a recirc pump would be my suggestion.

 

[tommyp]

The q130s maybe the answer at around 2/3s the price of the 130n. I can run off my current hot water tank now. I don't really need to switch the hot water right away. I can just pipe into the addition. I am in northern VT.

I don't know that a water heater would power the the air handler etc. If it was a separate shop I would give it a shot. I really want a wall hanging boiler though to save space.

 

[Jackfre]

That boiler comes standard with the LowLoss Header. When the time comes for you to change your dhw, you can as noted add a separate tankless or you could pipe the indirect off the boiler. There is an optional kit from Rinnai that allows you to pipe the indirect off the "primary" side of the boiler. That way you do not need a separate circ and a-stat. You use the boilers circ to drive the indirect.
I also have to throw in a plug for the direct vent wall furnaces, the Energysavers. A 1000 sq ft house of decent construction can be heated by a couple of them and it is a simple install, efficient and highly reliable. I estimate that 5% of all the homes in apts in the State of Vermont have them after 25yrs of sales in that area. Separate unit for the shop and you are done. With the cost difference you could do the hot water now too. I heat my home with them and am installing the new EX-38 when it becomes available in August in my new 960sq ft shop.

 

[tommyp]

Yea the direct vent would be cost effective but I would need three the way everyting is setup and wall space in my small house is at a premium.

Thanks for the help. Getting a price on the 130s now and looking at other alternatives with my plumber/installer.