Installation Progress: Primary Loop Complete, Secondary Loop Ideas - Episode 12 [5-11-2020]

This video was recorded on May 11th, 2020 as I started to get back to working on my heated driveway, radiant heat and domestic hot water system after the chaos and onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic. By this point, I had the primary loop pretty much complete with the exception of a few solder joints and the domestic hot water tank piping / plumbing.

I start by discussing how I piped the Tankless Water Heaters using reverse return, and how I piped in the primary loop T that will allow the domestic hot water tank to always get the hottest water first (priority). I then show where the cold water enters into the primary loop, to replace any hot water that is leaving the tank, and how I soldered in purge / isolation valves to allow future maintenance / flushing of the domestic side of the Flat Plate Heat Exchanger (FPHX).

I discussed how I piped the primary loop to accept (2) Taco 0013 pumps if 1 did not provide the necessary pressure / head, however as noted in the video, 1 Taco 0013 is easily able to provide 4 GPM to each heater (8 Total).

I then showed my progress on the secondary loop, including where I decided to located the temperature and pressure relief valve, Spirovent, and the various purge valves. The supply and return manifolds had not been built or mounted yet at this stage, so I then went over to the bench to discuss my thoughts on how I would plumb them.

At the time this was recorded, I was considering use of 3-way mixing valves to temper down the supply glycol feeding the radiant zones, but later decided to use full-port 3-way bypass valves instead.

I apologize for some of the camera work and the noise in this and some of my earlier videos. I did not realize the mount I was using was causing so much feedback into the mic of the GoPro. I later switched to a different mount, and improved my camera work as time went on.

If you’re new to my channel and want to start at the beginning, I highly recommend you visit my Heated Driveway / Snowmelt playlist which can be found here:    • Heated Driveway / Snow Melt System De...  

The playlist will have all of my videos in the proper order form start to present, regardless of the date I uploaded them. It starts with how I designed the PEX and Snowmelt Loop Layout, shows the process of installing the actual heated concrete slab, demonstrates how I did the math to calculate the boiler and pump sizes, installation of all of the components, and ends with lots of time-lapse of the system melting snow. It also includes snowmelt system startup and shutdown videos, as well as walkthroughs of the mechanical room, continuous circulation design and electrical system.

I will be uploading more videos of the system in action each winter, as well as several videos of the installation process, including soldering, filling with glycol, venting, etc.

If you enjoy my content, please consider subscribing to my channel by clicking the following link:    / @deckerchristopherj  

#heateddriveway #snowmelt #buffalo