Help-I need new heat source for radiant floor heat.

[phinney]

Ok guys and gals, this is the scenario. I live in Central IL and have a Morton building that has radiant floor heat in one side of it. This side is about 40x50', is insulated, has 3 windows, one insulated large overhead door and is zoned. The heat source was a propane fired water heater but after it had run for a few hours this past week, I could smell propane. I know it may be something that is easily repaired but the unit was here when we bought the place, I believe it is 14 yrs. old, the bottom appears to have had some heat or fire damage as some of the plastic near the drain is melted.

That being said, I use the shop almost every night during the week and nearly every weekend. Last year the thermostat was set at 50 degrees F. Our budget is only about $500 since we just put a new roof on the house. For that kind of money, what would you folks recommend? I have thought about another propane fired water heater or a "salamander" type heater. Any input or advice is greatly appreciated, thank you!

Lisa

 

[Chevy Gasser]

Since you are in it so much I think you should stay with the floor heat and propane. You can have your old unit professionall checked or just replace it with new.

 

[Fastback]

I would obtain another LP water heater, check craigs list for a take out or a dented model, and also call the big box stores and ask to buy a dented floor sample etc...

 

[phinney]

Thanks for the advice! I found a Whirlpool 40 gal LP unit at Lowes for $457. It is just slightly taller than the old one so the install should go fairly smooth. Thanks again.

 

[rburke65]

What does it cost, on average, to heat your 40x50 shop in Ill. for the winter and what are you paying for the LP per gallon. I'm in Ohio and I am all electric and am considering the radiant heat, but it won't be with electric! Thanks.

 

[Jackfre]

Cheap heat or cheap heater? Which do you want? Your tank water heater is cheap, not designed for this application (but it will heat) and has no controls to maximize comfort and efficiency. Given that you use it all the time I would look at a couple options. One would be a mid-80's efficiency cast iron boiler with a good outdoor reset control like those made by Tekmar or you can go full tilt boogie and get a modulating condensing wall hung 96% efficient boiler with all the control software built in.

 

[Jackfre]

btw, your tank water heater is going to be in the 60% range so run your numbers. Steady state, I don't know how it would be in this application.

 

[BadgerBoilerMN]

A water heater used as a heat source for radiant floors should include a mixing valve. The current unit is likely suffering from sustained flue condensation. I often find these applications producing very high levels of carbon monoxide.

The new water heater (used water heaters are not for the novice), should be checked by a pro for sufficient combustion air and draft.

A small condensing boiler would be ideal.

 

[phinney]

rburke-Last year we spent about $350 for heat with the thermostat set at 50F and the heat turned on from late Oct. to mid Feb. I'm not sure what the cost per gallon was.

Jackfre-We understand that the water heater is not ideal and more like a band aid, but we cannot afford a boiler this year. I am going to look into the small condensing boilers when we are ready since upgrading to a more efficient heat source will pay for itself over time. I didn't realize that the wall mount units were that efficient-sweet! Thanks for the advice!

BadgerBoilerMN-I'm thinking that flue condensation has been a big issue with the unit. Is this why the top is rusting out around the flue (rust through, not just scale) and the bottom of the unit always has scale rust falling into it. The home inspector we used was concerned about this as well as the carbon monoxide and the unit being too small for the task. It sounds like a condensing boiler is the way to go, are they all created equally??

Thanks again for all the advice, I really listen to all of it-we cannot afford a boiler this year since we just had a new roof put on the house, but if anyone would like to use our shop as a demonstration... : )