American Radiator Co #1 Ideal boiler how old is it??

bob young

MOST PROBABLY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT WHEN HOUSE WAS BUILT.

Sean_22

age of American Radiator Co # 1 ideal sectional boiler

I am buying a house said to be built in 1937. There is a very ancient looking oil burner. On the front, it has two doors, one above the other, on them it says, "No. 1 IDEAL SECTIONAL BOILER" "KEEP FLUES CLEAN" and "AMERICAN RADIATOR COMPANY".

I also have a photo.

Thanks!

Ray M

I have changed many of those 3 door boilers. You should really consider a change out when possible. The standing loss is huge as are the flue ways. JMHO.


Thanks


Ray M

Comfort Tech Corp

Steamhead (in transit)

I agree

it's probably original to the house, and you should look at replacing it. It's an old "all-fuel" 3-pass boiler that could burn coal, oil or gas. The flue passages are large to allow for the coal-burning capability, which makes them not so efficient on oil or gas.

The burner looks like a "Quiet-Heat" conversion unit. It's a typical old-style burner of the 1940s or 1950s, nothing special about it and again not so efficient.

If you really can't replace it now or in the very near future, a knowledgeable tech can add baffles to the large flueways and install a modern high-efficiency ("flame-retention") burner. This will improve its efficiency, but it still won't do as well as a new boiler.

The 3-pass boiler design is basically a good one, and has been updated in some newer boiler models such as the Solaia or Burnham MPO, or the Buderus and Viessmann from Germany which are being sold here too. 3-pass boilers are much easier to maintain than the vertical-flue/pin type units, and today's flame-retention burners generate no smoke or soot when properly set up.

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Fred Harwood_2

American Rad Co Boiler

Did that chamber pot come with the boiler? Looks about the same age.

Christina

Ideal oil burner #12 is circa 1933 (I think)

Hmm, I think my ideal oil burner #12 was purchased in 1933 (according to the certificate permit on the wall allowing the oil burner). Its still in use..

Unknown

ohhhh u call the boiler a furance!

That word cringed me when I heard people call their comfort heating boiler "furance".. That's an oldie! With an oldie B&G pump on the return... Yes, as others been saying, time to get the old beast changed over... But do urself a favor, get a real BOILER pro to do the job...

Sean_22

American Radiator Co #1 Ideal boiler how old is it??

Thanks for all the info! The family selling this house says they will "fix it" and get it "up and running". I don't think so! I am trying to get them to take the thing out and convert to gas before the close of escrow. The house has all these very cool original radiators. I want to keep them.

The house is in Washington state. There are two people coming tomorrow to give an estimate.

I was figuring, even to have that thing run for a little while would be very unpleasant at the very least.

YES! The chamber pot, I hope they leave that!

Thanks again for the info, and if anyone has any more, I'd appreciate it.

Long Beach Ed

While it may be old...

That boiler can probably be made to work fine and reliably. Depending on the real estate market in that part of Washington, the seller would have no obligation to replace it, just to have it in working condition.

The boiler will probably outlive me and you and perhaps this whole so-called human race. But, as has been stated here, it will cost you more money to run than a new boiler would.

Also, as stated, you can install baffles and a modern oil burner and probably boost the efficiency considerably.

You do have several choices here depending on how long you plan to remain in the house. Just don't choose your heating professional by the "lowest bid" method. A full heat loss calculation of every room in the house has to be done to size the new equipment. This old beast is probably very oversized and a cheap bid may just replace it in kind, which will cost you extra money every month it runs.

Best of luck in your new home.

Long Beach Ed

Perry_2

Things to consider

I am a homeowner who has been arround a bit: Things I would ask you to consider:


1) Is that round tank the Original fuel oil tank? If so - it should also be removed or replaced before it leaks.

2) Conversion to gas may or may not be a benifit. A good oil boiler can be just as good as a gas one. I suggest you look closely at the options and issues of both fuels with an open mind.

3) If this is intended to be your home - you may be better off by accepting the system "as is" and doing any repairs or upgrades yourself. A new "cheap" system, and/or a new "poorly done" system could easily prove much more expensive than accepting the house and you doing it right the first time (and with a high quality boiler). This forum has had a number of homeowners who come here with horor stories of bad or incorrect installs by contractors who did not know what they are doing or installed the wrong equipment. There are contractors who do know what they are doing - but you need to be sure you are working with them.

If it was me - I'd tell the owners that I'd accpet things "as is" for a 10,000 discount on the house (although I might start by asking for a $20,000 discount). Just be advised, that a replacement system may well cost in the $10,000 + range. If the boiler is in good shape - a new oil tank and fixing up the existing boiler would be less (and perhaps a lot less).

Also, then you know you get the chamber pot.

Perry