Heating for Condo Conversion
I just purchased a 3 family brownstone in Brooklyn and am planning to renovate all three apartments. The boiler in the building is only a couple of years old and still function. My question is if I may look to convert the building in condos down the line, should I replace the boiler and water…
I just purchased a 3 family brownstone in Brooklyn and am planning to renovate all three apartments. The boiler in the building is only a couple of years old and still function. My question is if I may look to convert the building in condos down the line, should I replace the boiler and water tank with a new system so each apartment has their own furnace and hot water?
We have just this past year gripped with this situation, with an emergency solution, regardless of the logic.
You have asked two questions, one regarding DHW, and the other winter heat.
It sounds as though you are considering boilers and water heaters, while ignoring the more important issues, which regard supply and circulation systems.
Hot water is used in kitchens and baths, and could conceivably, depending on layout, be plumbed without drastic surgery. I am referring to in unit solutions, which as Master Plumber has hinted, often have venting/placement restrictions.
The distribution of heat would seem more of a problem, unless you are doing a gut reno.
Let’s assume that there is an existing mechanical room, into which you would like to place the various “mini-boilers”, so gas piping isn’t crazy.
How do you get unit 3’s newly created hot water to its radiators? The existing whole house heat risers are probably branched, which could be used for the furthest possibly, by capping all closer outlets.
Basically, you would need home runs to the units, which I call, “Living in Pex Land”.
Alternately, you could plan in-unit boilers, but that takes floor, or at least wall space, and subjects you to the same restrictive venting requirements.
You may contact me at bruceatjerseydata.net.
Mr. Page, are you installing on-demand water heaters in attached Brooklyn brownstones? How are you venting them? I’m finding it a real challenge in most homes. The new Codes are brutal where this stuff is concerned.
I would recommend that you look into on demand hot water heaters, such as Baxi – http://www.wallhungboilers.com/baxi/
These are small, low energy use, tankless systems that could be located in each individual apartment, where they would provide all of the radiant heat and hot water.
Hope this is helpful.
Kyle Page, AIA, LEED AP
Sundial Studios Architecture & Design, PLLC
It’s prohibitively expensive for most people these days, but you’d need a site visit by a qualified contractor for anyone to give you a real price.
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