what boiler should buy?

Mitch_5

Never a problem with the one exception of a clock thermostat making the vent damper go round and round but it was not the boiler MFG fault.

Smith is not that common on my area but I do think converting a oil boiler to gas gives you more control on combustion and venting.

Mitch S.

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Dan_43

What boiler should I buy?

After reading Dan’s 3 books on steam heat and soliciting you guy for feed back I have come to the unwanted conclusion that I have a small crack in my current boiler and have been run it for the passed 2 years like this.


I had 4 contractors check out the job this summer and ended up with 4 different specs and a range of prices from $9,200-$5,400. The one guy I felt best about was never willing to put the job in writing. So here I am at the end of September and still need to replace the boiler. This is for my 1900 home.

I have replaced one boiler myself about 5 years ago in a rental I own. It’s been working fine but that was before I had discovered Dan and his web site; I think I just got lucky. Now I know too much, and besides it’s my home. So I would like to be more cautions in my choices. After adding up all my radiators including ones that have been removed I need 540 sqft of steam.
Here are the list of boilers I have been directed to buy from the supply houses, gas is the fuel.

Weil-McLain: EG-55

Slant/Fin either GXH230 D or GXHA200D (these are what the supply house had in stock) I am wiling to wait for the right one.
The last

Smith GB250-S-5-L (when I read the spec on this one it a little short on the steam requirement.

How close do I need to be to the measured sqft? Is it better to be over than under for meeting the requirement?
Thank you
Dan

Steamhead (in transit)

Smith G8 6-section

would be my choice. This is a wet-base boiler with a power gas burner, that can also burn oil if the gas company gets too greedy. The wet-base surrounds the flame with water-backed cast-iron rather than having the flame completely below the cast-iron as on atmospheric boilers like those you mention. This and the fact that the base is not wide-open at the front, makes it more efficient.

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Dan_43

does anyone else have a preference of boiler

Steamhead, thanks I will look into your recommendation.


How close do I need to match the sqft of steam to the boiler? Is it better to go over than under. is there a % range you try to stay with in?


Are there any of the Major brands I should stay a way from?

Bruce Stevens

I agree with Steamhead

the H B Smith 6 section 8 series is your best choice, I only install wet base boilers when it comes to steam. If oil I;d say Burnham's Mega Steam Boiler but the Smith can burn either depending om burner installed.

Joe Brix

Doesn't a power burner

void the boiler warranty? I only see Carlin and Beckett oil
burners listed in the install manual of the Smith. I know Burnhan specificaly says oil is the only fuel type that can be used in their oil boiler warranties. Do other's exclude that statement? I think I'd rather use a Burnham or Pearless gas steamer designed for the application. Give up a few efficency points for a supported configuration.

Steamhead (in transit)

The Smith G8

comes with the Carlin EZ-Gas burner as a factory option. So the Smith factory has certified this boiler/burner combination, and will stand behind it. No "field-engineering" needed on this boiler.

Burnham knows we want a gas option for the Mega-Steam.

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Dan_43

g-8

I really want to thank you all for this insight and dialog I do not want to regret my choice.
Have you installed these g-8 gas set up? I spoke to Smith the other day about this boiler. The Applications Engineer wanted to redirect me GB250. I do appreciate your hands on experience and time to help me make the right choice. this will be the last boiler I will put into this home.
Dan

Steamhead (in transit)

We have one going in

starting tomorrow. This will be our first, but we've heard good things about it. Watch the Wall for pics.

We were looking at a system a couple days ago with an atmospheric gas boiler, and the owner noted how much heat the boiler lost around the base when running. This is rather typical of atmospherics, and the GB250 is atmospheric.

Interestingly enough, DOE doesn't think this is a problem- they assume the lost heat will help warm the house. Anyone with a drafty basement knows this isn't true. As far as we're concerned, any heat generated in the boiler that doesn't produce steam is wasted, thus our preference for wet-base power-burner units.

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