Best Of

did it not have a nest at some point, did run longer cycles before the nest was installed or was it already there when yo got it. the short cycling you describe seems to be a control problem although it could also be oversized in addition to the control problem. one common failure point of nests is that their battery doesn't get adequate power and it will die during a heat call causing the heat call to end then the battery charges and starts another heat call.

it could be incorrect anticipator settings/behavior in the thermostat or the thermostat being right at a heat vent too. maybe it could be a safety in the furnace shutting the burner down too.

"…How long do you think your car starter would last if you shut the car off at every red light, and then start it up again…"

In the last two years, between 65% and 72% of new cars sold in the U.S. have been equipped with start-stop systems that do exactly that. 😊

OK, back to heating. 😀

I suggest considering installing 2 or 3 smaller boilers to match the load at design conditions.

Be prepared for extra wiring costs for lead/ lag, cascade, outdoor reset, constant circulation, and other control and piping strategies including combustion air requirements.

Hire a shoring / rigging company for boiler removal and getting the new equipment in place.

I've done several change outs this way and the heat loss has always resulted in a lower btu requirement.

Tony Kiter (RIP), an Old Timer from Mineola and Licensed Master Plumber gave me a very simple Rule of Thumb when I was putting out my Shingle that I have found rings true in 2026:

"If you want every job, Double the cost of materials (1/1 ratio)."

If you wanna be "competitive," go two times the material cost (2/1 ratio)."

If you wanna make $$$, go three times the materials cost (3/1 ratio)."

You'll find YOUR breakeven and profit margin somewhere in there. Mad Dog

We just finished the service. We clocked the boiler at 250K, so no problem there. The burner and HX were pristine and on first glance, the venturi was in good shape. But then I noticed that the adjustment screw was retracted all the way, so the problem seems that the burner was getting too much gas.

I could have tried dialing down the venturi, but I had a new one and I didn't want to di*k around with a device that may have something else wrong with it.

The boiler is working fine now. CO numbers come in at 60-70 ppm on high fire.

A switched receptacle under the sink for the disposal is another method I have seen in new homes. We put cords on disposals when I was doing new construction plumbing. Johnstone Supply dold disposal cord kits with nuts snd. Ird vonnectir in the bag.

A hot receptacle under the kitchen sink is handy for a HW dispenser also

I have also seen dishwashers corded and plugged into receptacles

I’d add a receptacle behind the toilet if I were an electrician these days, bidet seats are becoming more popular.