We need to replace a boiler in a very small (800 sq ft) cottage. It's a vacation home with sporadic use year-round. There's one bathroom, washer/dryer; might put in a dishwasher. We were presented w/ three options:
--a basic traditional Carrier unit
--a Munchkin Contender
--Triangle Tube Prestige Excellence (heat and water in one).
We have no experience with this. The existing water heater (traditional water heater with a big tank) is fine, but due to the space constraints we like the idea of replacing it AND the boiler with one unit--the Triangle Tube.

Do you think that this unit would work well in our situation? Would we be better off leaving the existing hot water heater and getting a traditional replacement boiler? We don't want cold showers or cold indoor air. Help, we're clueless! Thanks.

Your space is too modest for the boilers mentioned (Carrier does not make boilers).

I would look to the venerable Combi1 by Bradford White. A good value for small heating loads and domestic hot water duty.

Heat load analysis and professional design still apply.

Would that heat up quickly? Concerned about visiting in winter after heat was very low and having to wait ages for it to warm up/to get hot water.

What if we were to put on a 500sq ft or so addition in the future?

http://www.electromn.com/res/index.htm

I'd just use a small wall hung electric boiler. The small load can justify any extra rates you may pay for electricity.

1 - Small load
2 - Relativly inexpensive
3 - Compact
4 - No venting
5 - No gas

I don't normally go electric, but your load is a little small for a gas boiler.

Also, Carrier doesn't "make" boilers, but yes you are correct they definately sell boilers. And lots of them. Dunkirk boilers, that is.

Response time is matter of design.

Heat load, panel type, design temperature and heat source, in that order.

If you intend to keep the placed warm while away, gas is it.

It never made sense to me to buy second hand, low efficiency, boilers from tin people such as Carrier, Lennox or please...Sears.

Talk to a hydronic professional such as often dally here.

What kind of heat is in the cottage? Baseboard or radiant floor? If radiant floor go with a 50 gal 100K btu condensing water heater. Install a heat exchanger to separate the potable from the closed loop. You won't have to give up gpm on the domestic hot water side like you would with the prestige excellence unit. JB