Best Of
Re: Oil to electric help
Slant Fin got a bad wrap because The Big Orange Box store carried them. All things aside, Slant Fins were perfectly good boilers. Mad Dog
Re: Oil to electric help
First things first. There's nothing wrong with that boiler as a class. Whether that particular one or not has problems depends mostly on how well it has been maintained, but it should last for a number of years.
The salesman who referred to it as "crappy" is just that. A salesman. Try to find someone who is actually a decent boiler technician to take a look at it.
Now. On alternate heat. The comment on resale value for the house above is correct — but incomplete. Without a functioning automatic heating system you may not be able to sell the house at all, and the purchaser won't be able to get a certificate of occupancy, a mortgage and, possibly homeowner's insurance. This varies with jurisdiction, but most areas do require that. A pellet stove simply won't do it. If this is your forever home, that may not be a problem.
Now for replacing the boiler. As I note, there's likely nothing wrong with it that maintenance won't fix — cheaply. This means that any replacement is going to be pure cash out the door, and a lot of it, and must be considered for other reasons. It will not save you money.
Depending on where you live, various options are available. If electric rates are reasonable in your area — say $.10 to #.15 — a heat pump, either minisplit or ducted or possibly even air to water, may be a very good option. Electric baseboards, while cheap to install, are expensive to run. And an electric water heater, while good for heating domestic hot water, is not meant for space heating and would be a very poor choice.
Re: Threading options for 2-1/2 and 3" iron pipe?
You have a few choices.
A. We own and use a Ridgid 141 with adjustable jaws that threads 2-1/2" pipe through 4" pipe. We power the threader with our Ridgid 700 power driver with an adapter. The tools are very heavy and messy to use. These tools can be used with a stand or if needed can be used in place (overhead, in a pipe chase, etc.) Very labor intensive, but gets the job done. The threaded fittings are expensive.
B. We also own and use our Mega Press tool. Much cleaner, faster and easier to use. Some Plumbing suppliers will rent them to contractors. Needless to say this was a big investment, but it paid for itself after about one year. The fittings are very expensive and can be difficult to get in some areas.
C. Sometimes (especially with steel pipe larger than four inch) we hire a certified welder. Welding is not fast and is very labor intensive. The welded fittings and pipe are much less expensive than threaded fittings and pipe.
Re: Tip from one grandpa to other grandparents
some 40+ years ago my father made building blocks for his 2 grand kids. Those same blocks were used by my grand son and now my nieces kids.
pecmsg
Tip from one grandpa to other grandparents
My grandkids have the magnetiles like many other kids and they are expensive. I came up with an idea that was way less money and just as entertaining. I got a stick of 3/4" PVC and cut it into 4 and 6" lengths. I sanded the edges to remove the sharp parts and gave them to the grandkids along with a bag or tees couplings, and 90s They had a blast with them
RayWohlfarth
Re: Auto Water Feed
Good eye. Someone must have told the installer that the relief valve needs to terminate close to the floor
Re: We Got Steam Heat - wish I never read this book
Many times the smartest thing to do is walk………..No, run away.
Re: We Got Steam Heat - wish I never read this book
I have installed more fiberglass insulation than I wish to remember. Do you really wanna pay a plumber or steamfitter (highly skilled trade) to install insulation? It's something the HO can do or hire a handyman for much less $$.
If the client insists, I give them a professional insulating outfit. The anger will wear off. Atleast you know tons more going foward. Mad Dog