Boiler, boiler assembly, and water heating system

Abstract

A boiler is provided that is configured for use with an indirect water heater and a hydronic space heating system. When a heat source is firing at a predetermined firing rate, the boiler compares the firing rate to a predetermined firing rate and controls the water flow based on a simultaneous heat demand from the hydronic space heating system and the indirect water heater based on a result of the comparing the firing rate to the predetermined firing rate. A boiler is also provided with a carbon dioxide gas sensor that detects a value of carbon dioxide. When the value of carbon dioxide exceeds a selected value of carbon dioxide, the boiler reduces the predetermined firing rate. A kit for a boiler assembly and a method for assembling a stand to a boiler are also provided.

1 . A boiler configured for use with an indirect water heater and a hydronic space heating system, the boiler comprising:
 a boiler water inlet configured to be fluidly connected to an indirect water heater water outlet of the indirect water heater and to a hydronic space heating water outlet of the hydronic space heating system;   a boiler water outlet fluidly connected to the boiler water inlet and configured to be fluidly connected to an indirect water heater water inlet of the indirect water heater and to a hydronic space heating water inlet of the hydronic space heating system;   a boiler heat exchanger interposed between the boiler water inlet and the boiler water outlet;   a heat source providing heat to the boiler heat exchanger;   
       and
 a controller configured to:
 activate water flow between the boiler heat exchanger, the indirect water heater, and the hydronic space heating system, 
 activate the heat source to provide heat to the boiler heat exchanger at a firing rate, 
 compare the firing rate to a predetermined firing rate, 
 and 
 adjust the water flow based on a simultaneous heat demand from the hydronic space heating system and the indirect water heater based on a result of the comparing the firing rate to the predetermined firing rate. 
 
 
     
     
         2 . The boiler of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the controller is further configured to:
 compare the firing rate to a first predetermined firing rate, and 
 when the firing rate exceeds the first predetermined firing rate, control the heat source to stop providing heat to the hydronic space heating system and to continue providing heat only to the boiler heat exchanger. 
   
     
     
         3 . The boiler of  claim 2 ,
 wherein the controller is further configured to:
 continue providing heat only to the boiler heat exchanger for a period of time between 30 minutes and 60 minutes. 
   
     
     
         4 . The boiler of  claim 2 ,
 wherein the controller is further configured to:
 compare the firing rate to a second predetermined firing rate, and 
 continue providing heat only to the boiler heat exchanger until heat demand from the indirect water heater is satisfied or until the firing rate is below the second predetermined firing rate. 
   
     
     
         5 . The boiler of  claim 4 ,
 wherein the controller is further configured to:
 when the firing rate is below the second predetermined firing rate, control the heat source to start providing heat to both to the boiler heat exchanger and the hydronic space heating system simultaneously. 
   
     
     
         6 . The boiler of  claim 5 ,
 wherein the controller is further configured to:
 continue providing heat to both the boiler heat exchanger and the hydronic space heating system simultaneously until heat demand from the hydronic space heating system is present or until the firing rate does not exceed the first predetermined firing rate. 
   
     
     
         7 . A water heater system comprising:
 the boiler of  claim 1 ;   the hydronic space heating system, said hydronic space heating system including:   the hydronic space heating water inlet; and   the hydronic space heating water outlet,   wherein the hydronic space heating water inlet is fluidly connected to the boiler water outlet, and the hydronic space heating water outlet is fluidly connected to the boiler water inlet, such that water can flow between the boiler heat exchanger and the hydronic space heating system;   the indirect water heater, the indirect water heater being separate from the boiler, the indirect water heater including:   an indirect water heater heat exchanger internal to the indirect water heater;   the indirect water heater water inlet; and   the indirect water heater water outlet,   wherein the indirect water heater water inlet is fluidly connected to the indirect water heater water outlet via the indirect water heater heat exchanger, such that water can flow between the boiler heat exchanger and the indirect water heater heat exchanger.   
     
     
         8 . A method for hydronic space heating, the method comprising:
 activating water flow between a boiler heat exchanger, an indirect water heater, and a hydronic space heating system;   activating a heat source to provide heat to the boiler heat exchanger at a firing rate;   comparing the firing rate to a predetermined firing rate; and   adjusting the water flow based on a simultaneous heat demand from the hydronic space heating system and the indirect water heater based on a result of the comparing the firing rate the predetermined firing rate.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 comparing the firing rate to a first predetermined firing rate; and   when the firing rate exceeds the first predetermined firing rate, controlling the heat source to stop providing heat to the hydronic space heating system and to continue providing heat only to the boiler heat exchanger.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 continuing to provide heat only to the boiler heat exchanger for a period of time between 30 minutes and 60 minutes.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 comparing the firing rate to a second predetermined firing rate; and   continuing to provide heat only to the boiler heat exchanger until heat demand from the indirect water heater is satisfied or until the firing rate is below the second predetermined firing rate.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 when the firing rate is below the second predetermined firing rate, controlling the heat source to start providing heat to both to the boiler heat exchanger and the hydronic space heating system simultaneously.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 continuing to provide heat to both the boiler heat exchanger and the hydronic space heating system simultaneously until heat demand from the hydronic space heating system is present or until the firing rate does not exceed the first predetermined firing rate.   
     
     
         14 - 58 . (canceled)