Customized Design with NTI Boiler, Indirect Water Heater Deliver Heat, Hot Water
By Thomas Renner
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When Dylan D’Amato learned he was selected to design and install a heating system for a renovated New Jersey mansion, he knew it presented a unique opportunity to exhibit superior contracting craftsmanship.
D’Amato, the owner of NextGen Plumbing, Heating and Cooling, installed a radiant system for the four-bedroom, four-bath home that includes nearly 6,000 square feet. The homeowner had prior experience with radiant heat, and it was the preferred solution for this home.
“They had a radiant system, and they loved certain things about it, but in some areas of the house, they didn’t love it based on the old installation,’’ D’Amato said. “They wanted our company to come in and do what we do best, and that was design a radiant system that offered thermal comfort throughout the entire house.”
The Bedminster, N.J. house included smart home technology and propane, and it was up to D’Amato and his team to deliver a system that addressed all of the home’s heating and hot water requirements.
Mission for a Mansion
From the outset, D’Amato realized the project presented an opportunity but also substantial challenges.
“It was a full renovation,’’ D’Amato explained. “They left some parts of the house up, but it was completely gutted. It’s very open in the middle of the house with glass windows and sliding glass doors. It has a backyard entertainment area and pool. It was custom built and designed, and the owner’s primary request from us was radiant heat throughout.”
Radiant heat is efficient because it warms objects and people directly, not just the air. “Instead of blowing hot air that quickly rises and escapes, radiant systems heat the floors, walls, or panels, which then hold and slowly release warmth,’’ D’Amato said. “This creates even, consistent heat with less energy loss, so the home feels comfortable at lower thermostat settings and uses less fuel overall. It was mostly a comfort decision.”
Custom Design
Some single-family home heating projects can be completed with a cookie cutter approach, but the New Jersey mansion needed a customized solution to reach 6 zones with even heat and hot water distribution.
“For every zone in the system, we drilled and extracted all of our connections,’’ D’Amato said. “We took Type L copper, made our own fittings and installed bent copper tubes throughout that allowed us to have full control for each and every zone in the system.”
Bent copper is used in radiant systems as it can be shaped to form the necessary coils in floors, ceilings and walls. It reduces the need for numerous joints and fittings, and provides the benefit of fewer leak points and smoother water flow.
“The bent copper and extracted Ts are an artistic decision on the boiler build,’’ D’Amato said. “It also gives the homeowner full comfort and control in the ability to zone each area of the house through individual mixing valves. This allows every space to be tailored to their preferences —accounting for different floor coverings, how often they use certain rooms, and the specific temperatures they want to feel under their feet.”
Dependability with NTI
D’Amato selected an NTI TFTN 199 wall hung boiler as the centerpiece to the system and NTI’s S80 indirect unit for hot water. Both choices offer dependability and maximum resistance to corrosion, which is a common concern for radiant systems.
The TFTN is NTI’s flagship boiler and operates at 95 percent efficiency, delivering 184 MBH. The unit has top and bottom plumbing connections and built-in zone controls for up to three heating zones plus domestic hot water. It can also be expanded to six heating zones with an optional N-Link Zone Expansion module.
The unit’s “EZ” setup provides a step by step first install commissioning for the installer to take eliminate any guess work. Paired with NTI’s proprietary WiFi platform, NTI Net, the setup allows remote connectivity, diagnostics and troubleshooting, giving the contractor peace of mind when installing the NTI product.
“I’ve used NTI products for many years,’’ D’Amato said. “The TFTN has some terrific features, like the optimization of the settings. When you design a system for a full radiant home, we want to use a premium boiler that is dependable and durable.”
The S80 indirect water heater is a popular choice due to its maximum resistance to corrosion and high-quality construction and components. They include a limited lifetime warranty.
D’Amato’s primary supplier, Gerard Devlin at South Amboy Plumbing Supply, and NTI’s team, led by National Accounts Director Steve Wieland, are also influential in his choice to use NTI for many of his projects.
“They’re my main support,’’ D’Amato said. “When you have your own business, you have to work with people you can trust. NTI makes great products, and it’s the support behind their products that makes them great to work with.”
Impressive System
D’Amato wanted to design an effective system, but he also wanted to leave a lasting impression on the homeowner. The expansive project presented a chance to combine craftsmanship, functionality and an artisan’s touch, a blend that rarely comes about.
“On this type of project, we’re always trying to think 10, 15 or 20 steps ahead,’’ he explained. “We wanted to design a system with the boiler where it looks impressive, not just how it will function. When the homeowner walks into the mechanical room, he will see that we bring passion. The mechanical room is often forgotten about, but it’s the heartbeat of the home. We wanted to make it look like a piece of art.”
Thomas Renner writes on building, construction and other trade industry topics for publications throughout the United States.
