Anyone ever use an NTI Vmax Propane boiler?

[Mike_B]

I had an estimate done for a propane boiler install to heat up the slab in my garage. Irving Energy quoted me $7500 to do a full install.

This is the boiler they put in the quote:

http://www.ntiboilers.com/index.php?page=VMAX

$7500 is totally out of my budget, but was still curious about this brand. I am not a boiler expert, but the company is relatively close to where I live (3-4 hr drive).

 

[BadgerBoilerMN]

It your garage were big enough, I would say; they are losing money. Go for it.

NTI makes some of the best equipment of the planet. But is you pull you 14' flat boat with a 1-ton diesel people will think you strange.

 

[Mike_B]

Well that's kind of the issue. My garage is only 24X32. R 40 Ceiling and R20 walls. 1X 3' insulated steel man-door. 3X 36"X32" thermopane windows. And an allegedly R16 Steelcraft garage door that measures 8'X16'...

That boiler seems like serious overkill.

 

[BadgerBoilerMN]

Silly.

Your design heat load is likely under 12,000 Btuh. The minimum fire of the Vmax is 17 Mbuth. Output would be over 16 Mbtuh.

Coldest week of the year you need 12 and the boiler is bouncing off the bottom, short cycling, burning more fuel and killing efficiency.

If you need DHW you will be better served with a sealed combustion, direct vent water heater such as the Polaris or Vortex that serve as buffer tanks for the modest floor loads. You will need to separate the potable from radiant with a heat exchanger.