hydronic system. The hydronic panels pull from this large volume of water to meet the home’s space heating needs. The other tank is an indirect water heater with a large stainless steel coil inside to heat domestic water. “The buffer tank is kept at temperatures between 110 and 140°F and is the first task met by the boiler; temperatures in the tank vary according to ambient temperatures as monitored by the outdoor reset control,” Shreiner continued. “The hydronic panels pull from this large volume of water to meet the home’s heat needs. The other tank is an indirect water heater in the truest sense, for domestic water.” Populating the Hydronex control panels and managing flow for all of the home’s five radiant heat zones are Taco 0015, 3-speed circulators (circs). The circulators also control flow to and from both of the indirect water heaters. A Taco 4900 air separator posts quality control guard duty for the entire hydronic system. Taco zone controls interface easily with the tekmar components. “We’ve installed Taco circs, pumps, zone valves and zone controls for years,” added Shreiner. “With a system as robust as this one, there was no way we’d use anything but the products we’ve come to trust.” The Freys also installed a small HeatWeave electric radiant mat below the tile in their guest bathroom—complete with its own programmable thermostat. “I didn’t want my guests to experience cold feet here. It was a very small splurge,” said Jenessa Frey. Water quality, assured The Freys have a good, on-site well. However—common to many agricultural areas—coliform bacteria and nitrates are present. After testing for water-borne minerals, sediment and other contaminants, it was clear to the Freys they’d need water treatment systems. Well water now passes through a sediment filter; it then flows through a Watts ultraviolet unit to kill bacteria. Water then moves through a Watts Pure Water non-chemical iron removal system. Domestic water then makes its way through a Watts OneFlow scale prevention system to control water hardness; the system’s scale media operates catalytically without salt or chemicals and doesn’t produce wastewater. “It doesn’t even require electricity,” said an amazed Matt Woodcraft, President of Lifeflow Plumbing, who installed the water treatment, filtration and plumbing systems. “The scale prevention is effective at preventing over 98% of the scale produced by the hard water,” said Woodcraft. “The only maintenance required on the system is a simple media replacement after three years of service.” The final water treatment happens in Jenessa’s kitchen where Woodcraft installed an under-sink reverse osmosis system by Watts. “You might say the Freys took on a challenge or two in solving the problems they encountered with the groundwater,” added Woodcraft. “But we learned quickly that there’s a solution for every variety of need.” A Taco Plum n’ Plug hot water recirculation system and dedicated return line were installed to continuously circulate hot water to showers and fixtures. Delayed gratification By June 2014, the Frey’s excavated trenches were invisible, covered by a robust crop of soybeans. The field now serves two purposes with equal vigor: farmland and geothermal exchange. Fall came and the soybeans were harvested and sold. The Modine geothermal system switched between cooling to heating modes effortlessly while harvesting subterranean BTUs. The Freys moved into their new home in February 2015. “Being my own general contractor added substantial time to complete the home,” said Keith Frey. “But, we saved a bundle, most of which allowed us to improve the home’s carbon footprint. “The geothermal, radiant heat systems and water quality equipment are facets of the home we’re most proud of,” he added. “We never imagined having a home as comfortable as this one,” added Jenessa Frey. “The floors were cozy warm all winter long, even with record low temps. We were so comfortable that we almost forgot about the fireplace. ” “We invested in comfort and efficiency,” said Keith Frey. “Our home was worth the extra effort, the investment and the wait. We learned a thing or two about delayed gratification. We’ll build on that sense of happiness for years to come.” Kurt Shreiner, co-owner of Lancaster County-based Mountain View Heating & Cooling ICM 8 ICM/September/October 2016
ICM September-October 2016
To see the actual publication please follow the link above