Key Highlights
- Twin Peaks Plumbing specializes in hydronic and plumbing services for southern Colorado and northern New Mexico
- The project involved replacing a 30-year-old cast-iron boiler with a high-efficiency U.S. Boiler Alta system, including zone controls and press-connected piping
- Challenges included venting through concrete and rebar, which were overcome with skill and perseverance
- The new system provides more even, comfortable heat without drying the air, ideal for mountain climates
TRINIDAD, COLO.—Radiant in the Rockies is a thing. In this case more specifically, in the foothills of the Spanish Peaks in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, a major subrange of the southern Rocky Mountains. Discernable homeowners, resort and commercial property owners in this area rely on the complete comfort and efficiency of hydronics, in part, due to the climate, geography, elevation and consistent snowfall.
Steve Fernandez, a third-generation master plumber and heating contractor, has been preaching and working on hydronics for decades, 29 years in fact. As a master plumber, Fernandez established Twin Peaks Plumbing & Hydronics LLC, Trinidad, Colo., in 2017, and the company provides both commercial and residential plumbing, and serves all of southern Colorado and northern New Mexico.
Employing five full-time employees, including one other master plumber and three apprentice plumbers, Twin Peaks specializes in all phases of plumbing and hydronic in-floor heating and boiler systems. “Hydronic heat provides more even, comfortable heat without drying you out with forced air,” says Fernandez.
Time for an Upgrade
Fernandez was called earlier this spring to a home in the hills north of Trinidad experiencing issues with the existing heating system, and its 30+-year-old cast-iron boiler. Interestingly enough, the old system was, in fact, installed by Fernandez, his brother and his father in the ’90s. And while the old system gave it a good run, and since there was a work history and knowledge of the existing heating system in the residence, Fernandez met with the homeowner to discuss the next plan of action. “After assessing the boiler, the homeowner agreed that it was time for an upgrade,” says Fernandez.
After determining heat loss calculations for the 3,000-sq.-ft. home, a new U.S. Boiler Alta high-efficiency boiler, replacing the old boiler and existing indirect water heater. And since the old system was piped with zone valves, the new installation featured the Alta with zoning pumps—featuring Taco 007es—and a Taco SR405-5, 4-zone switching relay to control four zones, two in the existing slab and two for the upper level of the home. The entire retrofit’s piping system was press connected with Viega ProPress fittings.
Because the new heating system was piped into an existing Entran EPDM tubing system in the slab and through staple up for the upper level, “The plan was to install the new Alta, and replace zone valves with zoning pumps, all new copper primary and secondary piping, a new Caleffi air separator and an Amtrol expansion tank,” says Fernandez.
Sweat and Tears
This three-man, four-day project didn’t come without its challenges. In particular, “challenges on the job were getting PVC venting out of the house,” says Fernandez. “We overcame this with some sweat and tears while drilling through concrete and rebar.”
But the ultimate test came when it was time to fire up the system, but before that, Fernandez injected glycol throughout the system for freeze protection. Ultimately, the proof is in the pudding and the last word that counts is that of the homeowner. “System is up and running and the customer is extremely satisfied with finished result,” says Fernandez.
Key Components
Alta High-Efficiency Boiler
- 10:1 turndown, gas-adaptive combi boiler
- Virtually instantaneous DHW response time
- Selectable economy or comfort/recirculation modes
- Three-side unobstructed service access
- Easy lift, wall hanging design
- Low gas pressure capability (2.5 in. wc gas, 8.0 in. wc LP)
- High altitude performance with zero or minimal derate
007e ECM High-Efficiency Circulator
- SureStart® automatically purges air and unblocks the pump to keep it trouble-free
- Dual electrical knock-outs
- 6″ stranded wire leads for easy wiring
- Double Insulated—no ground necessary
- Integral Flow Check (IFC®) included
- Cast iron casing
Pro-Press Fittings
- Available in sizes ½" to 4"
- Customizable with three sealing elements: EPDM, HNBR and FKM
- More than 400 engineered fitting configurations for copper and Zero Lead bronze from ½" to 4"
- Approved for more than 250 different applications