Laars Boiler Advice

[Deleted User]

My contractor is speaking to me about installing an 84% efficient Laars MiniTherm Boiler. 125K BTU I believe.

In my research this boiler seems to get mixed reviews.

Is it cast iron? There seems to be some debate here.

Any feedback on the copper finned tubes they use?

Do they normally last 20+ years trlatively main free?

I am not looking at a 90%+ high eff unit due to additonal 5K cost upfront and contractor told me any energy savings will be offset up by additional maint/service that will be needeed for this type of boiler.

I am sure Laars is a good product, but does anyone have other recommendations?

Thanks,
Skip

kevin coppinger_4

laars is fine....

it is a good middle of the line boiler. The HX is made of heavy duty finned copper and the sides "wet walls are made of cast iron. I installed one in my first house..not one problem. You do need to have it cleaned every year or so to make sure the HX is not plugged on the fire side....it will clog up if neglected. I have installed a couple in places where space was a real issue. kpc

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ALH_4

Cast

I would recommend going with a cast iron boiler if you're in the market for an 84% efficient unit. Copper fin tube boilers are not nearly as long lived, and certainly not as maintenance-free as cast iron ones.

-Andrew

Rodney Summers

Other Choices

My contractor today also offered to use New Yorker(CG-50B), Utica, Dunkirk, or Burnham boilers.

Any of these brands have a traditonal (non ultra high efficiency) that you would recommend more?

Skip

Tony_23

Too bad

That cast boilers aren't really 84% efficient under normal use.

I'd use a Minitherm any day over a CI boiler.

The part I don't get is the statement about high efficiency being 5k more and more maintenance. Sounds like unwillingness to try something unknown and not wanting to learn anything new, while pricing it out of reach

Timco

Here's the heart of a Laars...20 years old and never cleaned. I inherited it. Now I have a WM, and love it.

T

Dave Stroman

I stopped using copper tube boilers long ago. The only advantage to copper is they a light and easy to carry into the house. The problem is they will short cycle like mad and the flue gas will rot out the flue. Put in a Buderus cast iron boiler and it will be there for generations.

Dave in Denver.

Tony_23

Would you like ?

some pics of W-M boilers that have never been cleaned ? Or short-cycled, or cracked ?

One boiler doesn't set the mark in any brand.
Let's not let limited experience in either direction influence someone else's major decision.
Properly installed and sized, Laars JV series boilers are fine.

Saggs

Put in a Burnham Revolution cast iron-condensing unit. 87% efficiency and built very sturdy.Check out the web site.

Timco

I never said it was the only view...just mine. With proper maintinance, I hope my WM lasts better than 20 years. The 'wet walls' were full of black sludge.

T