FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Restoration
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In

Discussion Forum

Discussion Forum

Lochinvar Knight versus HTP Versa-Hydra boilers

richardi | Posted in Energy, Heating & Insulation on December 30, 2012 04:09am

I’m having a house built in Southern New England that will have only radiant floor heat. The heating contractor spec’d a Lochinvar Knight boiler and Squire indirect HW maker. I have this set-up in my condo in Boston and am pleased with it.

However, I was thinking about a HTP Versa-Hydro, an intergrated boiler hot water maker for the new house. I initially looked at the HTP product because it was made locally and had a solar option. The latter consideration has become less important because I will be getting natural gas (vs propane) next Spring. Instead I will use the sout-facing roof for PV panels.

So which boiler should I install?

I welcome all opinions on both or either of the appliances.  

Thanks,

Richard

Reply
  • X
  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • email
  • add to favorites Log in or Sign up to save your favorite articles

Replies

  1. NRTRob | Dec 31, 2012 11:12am | #1

    we're using an air to water heat pump (Daikin Altherma) run by PV here in gardiner.  net metering is grand.  hard to compete with cheap natural gas but it does well against propane.

    I do like the versa-hydro, and if your system is not being designed with attention to detail it's a good choice.  harder to make it inefficient than a boiler.

    but the boilers can be made MORE efficient if the system is being designed, because it's not limited to Domestic hot water temperature... it can run at 85, 90, 100, 110 degrees when allowed by your radiant system and heat loads, which is more efficient.

    So I personally prefer to design to mod/con boilers as I can make them more efficient.  but many systems out there would have done better with a versa hydro or similar.  

    If pricing is similar and you plan to stick with this heating guy, and he's good, stick with what he knows.

    1. richardi | Jan 14, 2013 07:22am | #4

      Do I plan to stick with this heating guy?

      That's the big question! I don't know if he's good and by the look of the radiant tubing installed in my slab (PEX overlaying Pex as shown in the picture) and the lack of thermal breaks (discussed in another post) have me concerned.

      I think if I do stick with him and choose the HTP (my choice) versus the Lochinvar (his choice) and the system performs poorly, he will have an excuse.

      Yeah, I'm being a liitle cynical, but that may be the reality down the road.

      I guess I'm looking for a compelling reason to choose one boiler over the other.

      1. calvin | Jan 14, 2013 08:22am | #5

        I wondered about .........

        the runs of hose, it looked rather rampant and I don't think I could figure out a set pattern-but that could have been the picture and division of shots.

        Did they prop up the wire and hose or just attempt to pull it up as they poured?  While the first is the preferred method, since long ago, the latter has been the norm and with a good crew, most of the wire ends up IN the slab, rather than laying on the bottom.

        Best of luck on the rest of this.

  2. gtmtx | Jan 13, 2013 02:10am | #2

    Just a thought, but you might consider a high-end water heater such as a Polaris.  Very simple piece of equipment compared to a boiler and likely less expensive.  There was an excellent article in FHB a few years ago comparing the systems.  I personally have not seen the Polaris installed in this application, but the simplicity is what I liked.  With a boiler there seems to be a never ending operational maintenance that this system didn't have.  Yes, you can do all this stuff with a boiler, but is that what you needand want to pay for?

    1. NRTRob | Jan 13, 2013 12:31pm | #3

      you can still have service issues with high end water heating equipment.  and at any rate, the Versa-Hydro is exactly that, a very high end water heater with a built in external plate heat exchanger.

  3. fatboy12 | Feb 02, 2013 09:44am | #6

    knight boilers are sold at walmart and home depot.If that is the quality of unit you want in your house than great.Look at a boiler in a way that if your system is down are parts available,contractor trained,warantee,is it what is sold locally,thanks joe

    1. richardi | Feb 02, 2013 10:18am | #7

      Well, that is interesting that Lochinvar boilers are sold at Wally-Mart! Howver, that doesn't mean its an inferior product. Doesn't 'Made in America' (Tennesee) count for anything?

      What would you recommend?

      BTW, I have a Lochinvar Knight/Squire in my condo and I am veryhappy with it!

  4. user-1152295 | Feb 23, 2013 11:39pm | #8

    If you use the Versa Hydro solar you can use PV to heat water in an electric hot water heater (heat pump most efficient but regular resistance will work) and use the PV heated water in the solar heat exchanger  in the bottom of the Versa Hydro. In the summer this may heat all your domestic hot water. Properly switched,  excess PV can go into the grid lowering your electric bill and helping to provide cleaner energy to the grid. In the cooler months the PV heated water will contribute to both heat and domestic hot water. Most solar hot water systems only do DHW .  The Versa Hydro is like putting all your eggs in one basket as opposed to having a few seperate expensive components. The inherent efficiency of a single unit and the elegance of the design are very compelling. You might check with ModCon Service and Support inc. in Westford Mass they service all types including HTP and do cosulting for a fee.

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Video Shorts

Categories

  • Business
  • Code Questions
  • Construction Techniques
  • Energy, Heating & Insulation
  • General Discussion
  • Help/Work Wanted
  • Photo Gallery
  • Reader Classified
  • Tools for Home Building

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

Making the Move to Multifamily

A high-performance single-family home builder shares tips from his early experience with two apartment buildings.

Featured Video

How to Install Cable Rail Around Wood-Post Corners

Use these tips to keep cables tight and straight for a professional-looking deck-railing job.

Related Stories

  • Podcast Episode 692: Introduction to Trade Work, Embodied Carbon, and Envelope Improvements
  • FHB Podcast Segment: Embodied Greenhouse Gas Emissions and the Building Codes
  • Old Boots Learn New Tricks
  • Install Denim Insulation Like a Pro

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 332 - July 2025
    • Custom Built-ins With Job-Site Tools
    • Fight House Fires Through Design
    • Making the Move to Multifamily
  • Issue 331 - June 2025
    • A More Resilient Roof
    • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
    • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
    • Deck Details for Durability
    • FAQs on HPWHs
    • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
  • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
    • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
    • A Kominka Comes West
    • Making Small Kitchens Work
  • Issue 328 - Dec/Jan 2025
    • How a Pro Replaces Columns
    • Passive House 3.0
    • Tool Test: Compact Line Lasers

Fine Home Building

Newsletter Sign-up

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox.

  • Green Building Advisor

    Building science and energy efficiency advice, plus special offers, in your inbox.

  • Old House Journal

    Repair, renovation, and restoration tips, plus special offers, in your inbox.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters

Follow

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2025 Active Interest Media. All rights reserved.

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

  • Home Group
  • Antique Trader
  • Arts & Crafts Homes
  • Bank Note Reporter
  • Cabin Life
  • Cuisine at Home
  • Fine Gardening
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Green Building Advisor
  • Garden Gate
  • Horticulture
  • Keep Craft Alive
  • Log Home Living
  • Military Trader/Vehicles
  • Numismatic News
  • Numismaster
  • Old Cars Weekly
  • Old House Journal
  • Period Homes
  • Popular Woodworking
  • Script
  • ShopNotes
  • Sports Collectors Digest
  • Threads
  • Timber Home Living
  • Traditional Building
  • Woodsmith
  • World Coin News
  • Writer's Digest
Active Interest Media logo
X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Online Learning

  • Courses
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • X
  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

Enjoy unlimited access to Fine Homebuilding. Join Now

Already a member? Log in

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in

Privacy Policy Update

We use cookies, pixels, script and other tracking technologies to analyze and improve our service, to improve and personalize content, and for advertising to you. We also share information about your use of our site with third-party social media, advertising and analytics partners. You can view our Privacy Policy here and our Terms of Use here.

Cookies

Analytics

These cookies help us track site metrics to improve our sites and provide a better user experience.

Advertising/Social Media

These cookies are used to serve advertisements aligned with your interests.

Essential

These cookies are required to provide basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website.

Delete My Data

Delete all cookies and associated data