A smart solution for shops and basements
Capital Electric - March 1, 2011
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The orange pipes shown here are the supply and return zones coming off the boiler for the living area. They carry the hot supply and cool return water to and from the floor. |
Several years ago, Bob and Lori Leier planned to build a shop south of Moffit on the family farmstead where Bob was raised. The owners of Leier Caulking in Bismarck, the couple needed a place to store business supplies and equipment. They also wanted the building to have living quarters in case Bob's mother would need assistance, or for hunters to rent as a bunk house.
"There are no set plans for the future, but a little hunting operation really sounds good after we retire," Bob admits.
Prior to building, the Leiers contacted Capital Electric Cooperative and spoke with Josh Schaffner in the member services department. They told Josh they wanted an efficient and affordable heating source to keep the shop comfortable and the living area warm for overnight guests.
Josh suggested they consider investing in an electric boiler to heat the 50' x 100' building. This in-floor heating system works by running warm water through plastic pipes in the floor to create radiant-heat transfer.
Along with providing a comfortable, even heat, an electric boiler keeps dust, air contaminants and bacteria - all problems associated with forced-air heating - to a minimum.
"One of the reasons we considered this heating system is we are in the water-proofing business and have seen plenty of forced-air systems that are buried in the ground and full of water. They are flooded and there is no way to fix them unless you dig them out," Bob explains.
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To increase the building's energy efficiency, the Leiers also purchased a stainless steel, indirect-fired water heater. This allows them to use the boiler for the domestic water heating and take advantage of Capital Electric's off-peak electric rate. |
After researching several heating options and discussing their short- and long-term needs, the Leiers agreed an electric boiler would be a wise investment. When the building was constructed three years ago, a boiler was installed and separated into two zones so the heat in the shop and living area could be controlled separately.
At the start of every heating season, Bob and Lori set the heat at 50 degrees. Bob says it takes a few days for the concrete slab to reach the desired temperature, but when it does, the temp feels more like 60 degrees than 50.
"It is unbelievable how nice it is in there. If we are working, it's almost too warm," he describes.
Last year it cost Bob and Lori $800 to heat the building. Since then, they've had an off-peak control installed so their electric rate will drop - and so will their utility bill. Capital Electric estimates the operating cost for this season's heat will be around $600.
"We're really happy with the system," Bob says. "When we go down on the weekends, we might bump the heat up to 65. When we leave we turn it down, and it takes almost a week for it to drop back to 50. It's awesome."
In the future, the Leiers plan to add ceiling fans which will circulate the air by pushing it down from the 21-foot ceilings. Lori indicates they might also add a window air conditioner in the living quarters, although the steel structure stays relatively cool, even during days of extreme heat, because of its closed-cell insulation.
"Last year when it was 102 degrees, the building stayed around 70 degrees," she concludes.
Meet your Capital Electric neighbors
• Leier Caulking, a Capital business consumer, specializes in the caulking of driveways, doors, windows, tubs, seams, joints and more. Owned by Bob and Lori Leier, the Bismarck-based business also provides water-proofing and fire-proofing services.
• Bob serves as president. On-site at all jobs, he does the estimating, supervising and installing.
• Lori works as the office manager, overseeing the books, estimates, schedules, payroll and phones.