Boiler Selection for Snow Melt Systems. At this point in my series of columns on snow melt systems, we must begin to assemble the components to drive the heat from the heat source to the snow melt areas. Im assuming that the base load has already been calculated and the total Btuh load factor determined. Once this has been done, we next have to determine if the needs of the system can be met with one or several boilers. This decision is a combination of the system designers choice, and possibly weighted by the consumers needs. Ideally, if the load can be split between two boilers, it allows for load diversity, greater boiler efficiencies and system redundancy in case of component failure. The choice of a boiler can vary greatly with all the boiler designs that are available on the market, and not one particular boiler is perfect for all needs. Selection of the boiler should be based on the consumers expectations about overall system performance, and budgetary constraints. Certainly, as mechanical contractors we wish that every installation used nothing but the best high efficiency, fully condensing boilers, but we are not paying the bill to install the system. It is important to discuss these factors with the system owner early in the conceptual design stages so that the consumer can give you a clear picture of his wants, needs and expectations. Installing a high efficiency system may cost more initially, but the additional expenses can be justified by the fact that the operating costs will be substantially less. Also, installing a high efficiency, fully condensing system will eliminate the need for some items that are required when installing a less efficient system that needs protection from long term condensation production and thermal shock. Make sure that the consumer is aware of all these conditions prior to estimating the system or you may be faced with trying to cut the budget at the last minute by trading efficiency for system upfront costs. Find the best snow removal service professionals near you. See reviews, portfolios more for the best snow removal contractors near you. Micro Inverter Solar Panels Snow Melt Best Solar Panels 2015 Micro Inverter Solar Panels Snow Melt Solar Power System For Home Tesla Solar Panels For Homes In Nj. EasyHeat, a supplier of electric mats for snow melting applications, says that the seasonal cost to heat a 1,000squarefoot slab at 50 kilowatts will run about 276 in areas of light snowfall 50 inches per year or less and 692 in areas with average snowfall 50 to 100 inches. IMG_20140311_161239_463-1024x576.jpg' alt='Cost To Install Snow Melt System Boilers' title='Cost To Install Snow Melt System Boilers' />A typical high efficiency, fully condensing system may require the use of a heat exchanger that may not be necessary when using medium efficiency equipment. Most condensing boiler manufacturers limit their boilers to operating with a 3. Although a heat exchanger is an added expense, the cost of a condensing boiler and heat exchanger is frequently recovered because of the boiler efficiency at a high steady state efficiency. High efficiency boilers operating with 3. This allows the coldest fluid to enter the boilers equally. Remember, condensing boilers love to see as low an entering fluid temperature as possible. Dont forget to take the acidic nature of the boilers condensate into consideration. If you dump it into a cast iron drainage system without neutralizing the fluid, you are guaranteed to eat the bottom of the cast iron drain out in short order. This can cause problems with retaining a good trap seal to avoid accumulation of dangerous sewer gases in the mechanical room. Even if the building is served by plastic drainpipes I recommend first neutralizing the condensate before dumping it into the sewage disposal system. If your boiler of choice is a non condensing boiler, you must make sure that the heat source is protected against long term condensation production and thermal shock. This can be performed with any one of the Btu bridges that are available to the contractor. They can vary from something as simple as a return temperature thermostatic operator placed in the boilers return lines, or a simple motorized four way valve, which will also protect the slab from thermal shock, or even a variable speed injection control system that will also protect the boiler as well as the system. This is usually the designers choice, again, based on experience and or system costs. These designs require the use of an intelligent control logic as Ive discussed in earlier columns. I prefer the use of either a properly sized four way motorized valve or variable speed injection when possible. Warmzone/bestdrivewayheating/images/heated-driveway-install-7.jpg' alt='Cost To Install Snow Melt System Boiler No Hot' title='Cost To Install Snow Melt System Boiler No Hot' />Cost To Install Snow Melt System Boiler ReviewsWood or Coal Fired POOL HEATER and driveway or walkway snow and ice melt heating system. Get a POOL HEATER and have NICE WARM POOL WATER, without the high expense or. Snow and IceMelt Systems. Snowmelt. largest impact on the initial installation cost and longterm. At this point in my series of columns on snowmelt systems. Boiler Selection for SnowMelt Systems. Installing a highefficiency system may cost more. FAQ Outdoor Applications Here are some questions we often hear. Can I Melt the Snow On My Walks and DrivewayIt allows you to protect the equipment from long term condensation production and can also be used to protect the slab from thermal shock when married to the proper controls. If mid efficiency boilers are used, they too should be piped as secondaries to a primary loop. This allows both boilers to see the lowest allowable return water temperatures available to keep the system efficiency as high as possible. Tune in next month as we continue to look at what makes these systems tick. Free Software Open Rpt File Extension Programs. Mark Eatherton is a Denver based hydronics contractor. He can be reached via e mail at email protected or by phone at 3.