Contractor Case Study: IDS Plumbing & Heating LLC
Challenge:
Central Colorado heating contractor Nick Valenti owns IDS Plumbing & Heating LLC. He received a call that a home in Fairplay, CO needed a new high efficiency boiler for an existing radiant system. But Fairplay lies at 9,953 feet above sea level.
Nearly anything that consumes a fuel source performs best at sea level. Oxygen levels in the atmosphere decrease exponentially as elevation increases. As a result, proper installation of a gas boiler above 2,000 feet typically requires the burner’s orifice plate to be changed or modified in order to de-rate the unit.
Yet, Valenti needed to provide a solution for the home that desperately needed a boiler late in the Colorado heating season.
Solution:
“We called four boiler manufacturers to see who’d stand behind their product at this elevation, and U.S. Boiler Company was the only one. They suggested the K2 boiler. We had never installed a K2 before, but having installed Alpine boilers, we expected good things.”
Proprietary technology and combustion components within the K2 high efficiency condensing boiler provide high altitude performance with little or no de-rate while maintaining proper operation at all elevations.
After performing a heat load calculation, IDS suggested the K2, indirect tank and variable speed circulator.
The new 100 MBH boiler was hung on the wall and the existing vent penetrations were re-used. Named after the world’s second highest mountain, the K2 is available in five sizes from 80 to 180 MBH (including combi models), and offers up to 95 percent efficiency.
Results:
Valenti was surprised by how light and compact the K2 boiler is, but it doesn’t come at the expense of any room inside the cabinet. The touchscreen control walks the installer through the setup process.
“We immediately noticed how much more responsive the radiant system was,” said Kyle Webb, the homeowner. “We made a great decision hiring IDS.”
Above: Neil Wagner, Ben Dunn and Nick Valenti at Innovative Design Systems, serve a large, high-elevation area around Fairplay, CO.
Above: The homeowner built a 3,000 square foot log home at just under 10,000 feet above sea level, and needed a hydronic system that could adapt to the thin air.
Above: Apprentice Ben Dunn sets up the K2 before firing for the first time.
Above: IDS selected a 100 MBH K2 high efficiency boiler based on its inherent advantages at high elevation.
Above: There’s no shortage of snow, wildlife and beautiful vistas in the High Rockies.