Radiant Comfort Inside and Hydronic Convenience Outside
Challenge:
Paradigm Plumbing & Mechanical, Inc., in the greater Detroit area, is known for their meticulous hydronic work. They were hired to install a hydronic heating system and snowmelt system for a large custom residence. Vastly different supply water temperatures were needed, and the snowmelt system would obviously run for less of the year. Providing hot water for both needs with a single boiler would have meant it would be oversized for much of the year.
Solution:
Paradigm chose two install two, completely independent boilers and systems. A 205 MBH U.S. Boiler Aspen unit heats the home via 12 zones of radiant in-floor tubing. The pipe is laid at six-inch centers, and is mostly set in Portland cement, below floor tile. The Aspen also supplies domestic hot water through the use of a 120-gallon Alliance-SL sidearm tank.
Heat for the snowmelt system is provided by a 399 MBH Aspen Light Commercial boiler. The snowmelt loops are kept short, typically less than 250 feet long.
“When our rep picked up the US Boiler line, we gave the Aspen a close look. We really like firetube heat exchangers,” said Greg Sharer, president of Paradigm Plumbing & Mechanical. “The appearance and the design of the Aspen are great, so we bought two for this project. They’ve proven easy to install.”
Result:
After several bitter cold spells in early 2019, and plenty of snow, the homeowners are thrilled with the mechanical systems inside – and outside – their new home. The efficiency of the Aspen and Aspen Light Commercial provide comfort, efficiency at lower-than-expected operating costs. As far as safety and convenience are concerned, those are more difficult to quantify.
