BoilerMate 41 Gal. Indirect-Fired Water Heater

Boilers and the associated system piping require a hydronic expansion tank to maintain a static system pressure of 15 PSI when the boiler water is heated up to 180F. When you add the additional zone to a hydronic heating system to power an indirect fired hot water heater, the amount of piping and associated water is usually not significant enough to necessitate that the current expansion tank be upgraded. Now there is another type of expansion tank called a thermal expansion tank. These tanks are for potable water. Potable water is usually at a much higher pressure than boiler water. When you heat cold potable water in any type of water heater it expands, creating pressure. In the old days that water would expand backwards into the street or forward into the house. But because of legionnaires disease all water meters now have backflow preventers built in. So when the cold water is heated pressure builds in the potable water system. If the cold water pressure is high to begin with, the pressure of the heated water can get so high that the water heater pressure relief valve will blow off. To prevent this and to prevent damage that may be caused by high water pressure, plumbing code in some areas, as well as plumbing inspectors, require a thermal expansion tank be installed on all water heaters. Do you need one in your application? I am sorry I can't answer that as I do not know anything about your system or the plumbing code in your area. For that you would need to speak to a local qualified and licensed plumber in your area or the plumbing inspector in your town. In my experience there are some areas where due to high water pressure or the inspector they are an absolute necessity. And in other areas they are superfluous. Chris 978 651 3301

Sorry but I am not sure I understand what you mean by "DW". If you mean domestic water, which is a common plumbers term, Than yes this product is intended to be used to heat domestic hot water; which is also referred to as potable water. If on the other hand you are asking if this unit is available as in "Double Wall" than then I would want to know are you looking for a double wall coil, a double walled tank or both. Typically residential indirect fired hot water heaters are not double walled because the boiler pressure is lower than the potable water pressure. If there is a leak the potable water will enter the boiler and not the other way around. This specific model is the way it is. However we have access to the entire line from Amtrol and other makers of indirect fired hot water heaters and heat exchangers. So if you need something very specific please feel free to give me a call. Chris 978 651 3301

Sorry but I am not sure I understand what you mean by "DW". If you mean domestic water, which is a common plumbers term, Than yes this product is intended to be used to heat domestic hot water; which is also referred to as potable water. If on the other hand you are asking if this unit is available as in "Double Wall" than then I would want to know are you looking for a double wall coil, a double walled tank or both. Typically residential indirect fired hot water heaters are not double walled because the boiler pressure is lower than the potable water pressure. If there is a leak the potable water will enter the boiler and not the other way around. This specific model is the way it is. However we have access to the entire line from Amtrol and other makers of indirect fired hot water heaters and heat exchangers. So if you need something very specific please feel free to give me a call. Chris 978 651 3301

The simple answer is yes. The long story is actually pretty interesting. Amtrol was founded and owned by a Mr. Kirk; a very interesting man. It was and still is a tank manufacturer in Warwick RI however the family sold it after his death. In the 1970's they dominated the well tank industry. They also made expansion tanks for boilers. In there desire to find new markets and because of there participation in both industries, they got the idea putting a coil inside a well tank, thus creating the first indirect fired hot water heater. So my point is, not only is it made in the US. But it was invented in the US and it was invented by Amtrol. As a result of this answer you may ask, Is it the best? Actually I would say there is no stand out best in this category of product because water quality and characteristics vary so drastically throughout the US. For example, where I am, there are some towns where this unit will give you the longest life and there are others where other brands seam to perform better. Thus its always a good idea to consult a local qualified licensed plumber there experience can often be invaluable.

In this situation I think the harsh truth of the community answer is spot on. Your unit is through its design life and I think that if you are successful changing you immersion well you will soon be facing other problems that will lead you to replace the unit. However here is how I would handle this situation. Amtrol and its founder Mr. Kirk invented the indirect fired hot water heater in the early 1970’s. They have made the boilermate ever since. Over the years the unit has changed and evolved, as has the warranty. I would start by calling Amtrol with your model number and serial number. 1 800 426 8765. With that information they should be able to tell you if your unit is still under warranty. Yes some units have a life time warranty to the original owner. Second, if not, they should be able to tell you if that immersion well is replaceable and if so what the part number is.

That really depends on your definition of the term replacement. Allow me to explain. Yes these two heaters do the same thing. However the connections are not in the same locations so you will have to do some re-piping.

If you got 23 years out of your boilermate, that’s great. Why not replace it? Even if you could replace the coil, the cost of parts and labor would probably be close to replacing the whole unit.

The mechanical aquastat that has been used in Amtrol boilermates from the very beginning is an unpowered temperature sensing switch. Therefore if you are going to power it with 24 volts with the intent of it actuating a 120 volt circulator the easiest way to do that would be with a relay. Now this may cause you to ask why they would not build a relay into the unit. The answer is that not every installation or wiring methodology would necessitate using a relay. An example would be an installation where zone valves were being used as opposed to separate circulation pumps. As every installation is different and my answer may have raised more questions than it answered, feel free to give me a call if you need help. Chris 978 651 3301

Where is the water leaking from? The Heat Exchanger has a double wall design so that if a leak occurs in the drinking water loop, or in the boiler water loop, it will leak out around one the pipes as apposed to leaking around the seal. If this is the problem the heat exchanger needs to be replaced.

Under the squate plate toward the bottom by the temp control knob.