The label looks like an 018-DUX (the smallest coil they make).

Given that you already have ductwork in your unit, you may be able to swap out the hydronic system for forced air gas heat/electric cooling or heatpump heat and cooling. When switching out any heating/AC system, there is inevitably some reworking of the supply and return plenums from the old ductwork to the new system.

Thank you for your reply. I would def want to do minimal work if possible, but since this unit is 14+ years old, i'd like to see if there is something better. By better, I guess, I mean more efficient and probably want to go slightly up in cooling power and heating. I do run out of water in shower in winter at the very end. I figured 1.5ton unit can be upgraded to 2 or 2.5ton, this place is 1250sq ft and 2 floor condo with no doors (except bathroom) only 1 zone though.

I also dont know how fast it heats water, say for 30min or 1 hr running (how many gallons) but i'd probably like to make it 30-50% better

Any advice for other models that may fit my need? I am not tied to this brand afaik, as long as same type of size/connections.

thank you!

Hi

Perhaps I wasn't clear, for which I apologize. Right now, I don't even know if my system has a tank and if it does, what size. I just meant that a it seems to show that I have a 1.5ton a/c and I'd love to go to 2 ton or 2.5. For heating, except for showers, it's adequate, so I'd like maybe 25% more.

But, my issue is that it can only go into utility closet and it's a fairly tight space, hence my concerns about the ductwork, as putting new or extra, may not be possible?

space is approx 7x4ft, but ill get exact size and pics if it helps...

tia

What is the size of your condo and where are you located? The HVAC system needs to be properly sized to the heating and cooling load. An over sized system while short cycle and waste energy. When was the last time the AC was serviced?

I am not familiar while hydronic HVAC systems. Is the system connected to the domestic hot water supply? Is there a hot water tank in your condo or does the the hot water come from a supply for the whole building?

the place is 1250sq ft. it's 2 floors, no doors except bathroom and outside. windows only on 1 side (opposite to front door), so airflow is very poor. upstairs alwasy 3-5f warmer, and no ceiling fans exist (that could be fixed). only 1 zone too.

i am attach pics of the room where all has to fit. room is approx 7ft by 3.5ft. i believe system is connected to water. i do not know about water tank, but afaik whatever is there is there, if not shown it doesn't exist. i do have roof access for some coolate/vents, but def not any tanks.

thank you

This is an elaborate set up to heat and cool a 1200 sq. foot condo. You have a Lars Mini II boiler which provides the hot water for the air handler. Do you know where the outdoor AC condenser is located?

I don't see a domestic hot water tank so I assume your hot water is provided by the condo association and is covered in your monthly maintenance.

Where are you located? I would not expect to see a system like this in a condo. I don't see why this could not be all replaced by a forced hot air system and you could free up half the space for storage. This is something to consider as you get quotes.

I am in RI. Everyone in this building afaik have same. It was all redone in 2004, it's an old factory, complete gut/reno. Only diff that I saw is the size of the units,. We have a few 3000+ units and 1 at 4500+. I see them using as big as 24x24x1 filters and mine is 16x20x1, so I assume it's for higher class units.

I do not know how hot water in done to be honest. I do know that 1 unit's owner had their tank leak just few weeks ago, but they maybe unique, I do not know. I will have to inquire about the hot water tank. My thought was that because I am running out of water in winter and never in summer, that water is being heated on the fly, and it starts too cold in winter, say 40f, vs say 60-70f in summer, and the unit doesn't catch up to it. Hence, my assumptions about wanting to get a higher btu unit?

AC condense is on the roof. That I know....

I am no expert about your HVAC system, but I will share my thoughts based on the information provided.

The boiler is generating the heating BTUs. It is independent of the domestic hot water supply. Installing a bigger boiler is not going to improve your hot water flow in the winter. I suggest you ask the condo manager what can be done to get more hot water.

The upper floor being 3 -5 degrees warmer in the summer than the lower floor is probably a duct issue. The duct work may not be providing enough air flow. Increasing the size to 2 or 2.5 ton is not a good solution. I think you are properly sized at 1.5 tons for 1250 sq feet in Rhode Island.

I find it interesting that someone decided to install this hydronic system with a boiler and no hot water heater. What you have is not common and you may be limited in finding a replacement. Hot water boilers can have long lives if they are properly maintained. So from a cost point of view it makes sense to leave it and find a new air handler. But you could tear it all out and simplify it.

Have any of the other condo owners replaced their HVAC systems? They would be a could source of information.

We have annual meeting in December and I plan to ask then, if I can't find anyone before hand... I am also curious how this boiler thing works. As for 2nd floor, there are 2 places where it pipes up. In corner of office side and middle of the room but because I have console to left and dresser to right, it only goes up, so flow is fairly limited. I would def need a 3rd one by the bed or get a fan.

This is how air is pushed to the 2nd floor (sorry for bad pic) From that pipe it also blows left and right before it goes up, so it cools this room that way.

-ty

If you have exposed duct work, and can easily add an additional duct, then you should be able to solve the second floor cooling problem. You may also be able to create zones for the first and second floors if you want the best temperature control for each floor.

My manager replied, but I am not sure if it makes sense to me...

"It is in your residence. Sometimes they are in the utility closet other times they are on the mezzanine above the area."

I am not sure cause you saw pics, it's def not in closet and above me is 2nd floor and below me is concrete ground. I guess I have to inquire some more...

Apparently the boiler is inside the heat unit on the right and it's 30 gallon? I am not certain but that's what I am being told.

Gas hot water heaters come in short and tall versions. A tall version of a 30 gallon hot water heater is approximately 20 in. wide by 58 in tall. If your boiler was producing the hot water, you would still need a storage tank to hold the hot water.

Are you able to trace the hot water supply to bathroom or kitchen and see where it goes?

I have a guy coming Monday to inspect it and give me more info. So far, only thing I know is that condenser is on the roof. I also know few condo units will be replacing their system in the next 6 month, because we wanted to go in together to save on the work/parts/crane rental. Not clear yet.

I am hoping that there are other options, but so far, I am striking out. My other concern is lack of hot water in shower in winter. The unit seems to be 55k btu, their next model is 75k, but I am not sure if it'll fit or if it even makes sense since if unit only has 30gallon tank and larger won't hit, then that maybe the unit, not the heat part...

Thank you