I've been using an insert for exclusive heat for 5 years now. It works well, but on very cold days - it could be much more comfortable in the house.
I have a charmaster doing nothing right now. I'd like to use the domestic water coil to heat water - send it through pex - and do a staple up installation in my basement.
I realize the furnace is not the most efficient, but it's what I have, and if I do the other install components correctly, then I can swap the furnace a few years down the road. The furnace will sit in a well insulated block "doghouse" just out side the walk-out basement. I'm looking for advice on how to make this set-up work well now, and be ready for a modern epa wood boiler in the future. Here's the basic set-up I've researched so far:
1. charmaster makes the heat - heats the water
2. water is pumped via t-stat controlled circ to
3. supply manifold (homemade copper?)
4. pex from manifold to joist bays (3 loops - around 200' each?)
5. pex is stapled up with AL plates
6. pex to return manifold
7. back to charmaster
Initial questions:
Should I consider storage in this set-up or wait for boiler? If so, how much would be effective?
would a mixing valve be recommended to supply constant temp to pex?
Would I use 2 T-stats - 1 for draft door, 1 for circ pump?
I know I have much to learn and will continue reading.
Thanks for any help along the way.
'Frank
I have a charmaster doing nothing right now. I'd like to use the domestic water coil to heat water - send it through pex - and do a staple up installation in my basement.
I realize the furnace is not the most efficient, but it's what I have, and if I do the other install components correctly, then I can swap the furnace a few years down the road. The furnace will sit in a well insulated block "doghouse" just out side the walk-out basement. I'm looking for advice on how to make this set-up work well now, and be ready for a modern epa wood boiler in the future. Here's the basic set-up I've researched so far:
1. charmaster makes the heat - heats the water
2. water is pumped via t-stat controlled circ to
3. supply manifold (homemade copper?)
4. pex from manifold to joist bays (3 loops - around 200' each?)
5. pex is stapled up with AL plates
6. pex to return manifold
7. back to charmaster
Initial questions:
Should I consider storage in this set-up or wait for boiler? If so, how much would be effective?
would a mixing valve be recommended to supply constant temp to pex?
Would I use 2 T-stats - 1 for draft door, 1 for circ pump?
I know I have much to learn and will continue reading.
Thanks for any help along the way.
'Frank
