jmk

You make a good point about not panning the pipes in the walls. I have had to replace the floor in my utility room ~twice~ because of heating system leaks (once the back corner from the heating coil, once in the back of the water heater)... and then a few months later my TP valve went (replaced under warranty)... and then a few months after that my expansion tank went. I do not have good water luck. The system was originally installed in '94, so it's reasonable that things should go, but at a certain point one is just done.

My advice? Go with a larger-than-you-think-you-need water tank with a longer-than-you-think-you-need warranty. PAN EVERYTHING, even under the air handler. (You'll find leaks more quickly & easily this way.) Go with a larger expansion tank than you need, too. On the expansion tank, I don't know what the law is in other states, but to be up to code in IL, you need to have a back double check valve installed. That requires an expansion tank so the water has somewhere to go when the heated molecules expand (since that valve prevents the expanding water from going back into the external water source). I replaced my expansion tank last year because the bladder went (causing the temperature release valve on the water heater to do its job several times a day). If you are doing any new work, make sure you're getting up to code while you're at it. I've included a picture of my piping below. Hope this helps! -- jmk *In addition to panning, I have a funnel under the water heater's release pipe that's connected to a vinyl hose that leads straight to my drain. thus eliminating rusting of the outside of the tank. (It took me a while to get the new expansion tank installed since I needed to find someone to sweat copper for me [because the new tank was taller].) Click to Enlarge 40.52 KB

I have an Apollo Hydro Heat system in my condo. It's...um... interesting. There are up and down sides. Pros: It's cheaper to run. The air doesn't get as dry in winter/no need for a humidifier. It's an even, comfortable heat. It's quiet. I only have fire going to the water heater, rather than to a furnace as well, which is nice in a small space. It's rather an efficient system over all. When I spoke to the manufacture the last time I had to get a replacement part, they were really friendly and helpful. Cons: It's a PITA (pain in the @ss) because it's 18 years old and every part needs to be replaced one by one. I've replaced the pump, the heating coil, the water heater, the AC drip pan has a leak and is PART of the AC cooling coil.... You will not have enough hot water for a hot shower in the winter if your heat is on. I have a 50gallon hot water heater. (The trick is to turn off your heat for 5minutes, take a shower, and then put the heat back on.) Water pipes leak eventually and if you don't have everything -- and I mean EVERYTHING, even the air handler -- panned and to a drain, you will be replacing your floor eventually. If you eventually want to go to a "normal" furnace, you'll need to replace both the heating and AC system and you'll need additional duct work, etc. for the furnace. Getting replacement parts is a challenge. If I go to their www.apollohydroheat.com website I don't even get their site anymore. They don't make the same units anymore. This could be an issue as my AC has a freon leak. Does it work? Yes, when it's working, it works well. Would I put a new one in? Probably not. You need a licensed plumber who really knows what he's doing to keep it to code any time you replace something. (Be sure there's a double check valve and an expansion tank!) Would I rip one out that's working and replace it? No How long do they last? Well, my building was built in 1994. I have replaced every part of it except the fan (knock on wood) and now need to replace the AC. I'd say from the 15yr to the 18yr mark you will be replacing things one-by-one. That's what makes it a PITA. It's still cheaper than pulling it all out and putting something new in. Does the water heater last as long? Yes, I noticed no issue with the water heater other than normal aging. Do you need a special water heater when it goes out? No, but you DO need to have a licensed plumber that will research the state codes on this and follow them to the letter. Don't assume what's there now is up to code. I know more about IL state plumbing code now than I ever thought I would.....