Help me with my propane boiler

Christine_3

Good Morning,

Let me start off by saying that I am a first time home owner without even the slightest understanding of how my heating system works. That being said, up to this point I have completely relied on what “the professionals” are telling me. After spending the night without heat in Catskill mountains of NY, that mentality has changed! I will keep this as short as possible, I need your help in understanding what the heck is going on in my boiler room!

Starting from the beginning:
Two months ago I purchased this house after it getting rave reviews from one of the toughest home inspectors in the area – the boiler room looked just as it does now in the pictures attached.

While negotiating the contract, there was some concern about the size of the boiler and size of the house it needed to heat, so CompanyK (one of the two largest propane companies in the area) were brought in to review the heating arrangement and gave everything a thumbs up – the boiler room looked just as it does now in the pictures attached.

After moving in and arranging for my first propane delivery, I was informed by CompanyP (the second of the two largest propane companies in the area) that the heating system needed to be inspected for safety and functionality. Guess what – they gave it a thumbs up as well and wouldn’t you know it - the boiler room looked just as it does now in the pictures attached.

Just a few days ago we got hit with a cold spell and the boiler just could not keep up and the house was down right COLD! So I called a few friends to asked if they had any advice on what to do or any idea what was going on - Thankfully a friend of a friend offered to come take a look at what was going on. Needless to say he was floored by what he saw and immediately turned off the boiler and we called for a service technician to come out to the house.

So here I sit in a cold house waiting for a technician….

I have attached some pictures of the room with the boiler on and flames spilling out the front and some others on the information sheet and others on the current condition of the boiler.

If anyone can offer any explanation of what is sitting on the floor and why it might be disconnected?
Any idea why flames are coming out the side?
Any advice in general?

Thanks in advance!!
Clueless in Catskills

Home Depot Employee

Christine,
That part and wires lying on the floor is part of the safety circuit. It is a thermal fuse that is supposed to melt and open the circuit and stop the burner should heat become excessive or flames roll out inside the boiler vestibule. Obviously you have flames rolling out, a venting issue and severe problems with your boiler.

Call a professional, bypass your LP suppliers (they don't know what they are doing) and most importantly DO NOT USE THE BOILER till it is corrected by a competent service person.

FYI, you have a great case, pictures alone against your inspector.

Home Depot Employee

question

Curious?
Your Dunkirk boiler is the smallest one (BTU) produced, what size, age and guess on your insulation quality is your home?

Christine_3

Lets see:

House is a two story house, very open floor plan, total square footage is: 1493.

The house itself was built in 1949 and was fixed and flipped 7 years ago and the first floor was completely renovated three years ago due to a flood.

As for the insulation quality, I have not had it tested but based on various opinions its standard – at best – with some problem areas.

Unknown

If the heating system

was damaged by the same flood that damaged the house then it should be replaced. Do not even try to repair or fix that boiler - replace it, I would also have a chimney inspection done, along with testing the building for pressurization problems due to mechanical exhausting or fireplace operation. Sorry but you need to get a heating professional in to help you out.

Get rid of the propane company that is servicing you and find out if there is someone in your area who knows what they are doing to be your propane service and delivery company.

Mark Hunt_3

Christine


Where in the Catskills are you located?

Mark H

STEVEN MARKS

boiler size

As previously stated it looks as if you have a venting issue that needs to be investigated. Might be why the safety is on the floor instead of mounted in its proper location. Based on the square footage of your house it does look as if your boiler is undersized. A proper heat loss calc needs to be done to properly determine correct size.

Christine_3

We are located in

lovely Shandaken NY.

Christine_3

Update on the boiler drama...

First and foremost,

Thank you to everyone who replied, I tremendously appreciate the information and have my work cut out for me.

I figured everyone might like an update on the drama since the technician has come and gone.

It seems that I have more problems then I ever imagined!

Check this out – my house has code violations! These are the messy notes from the documentation, I will get the real notice soon.

The list...

Concealed copper piping to boiler, Undersized gas line into house, Gas line “hanging” in basement, Tanks 1 foot from dryer terminal, Exhaust not 1 inch from combustible

The technician replaced numerous parts, cleaned the boiler and provided a to do list to get the code violations and other suspect issues resolved.

That all being said, I have made a couple calls to inquire about quotes on resolving the violations and advice on the proper heating setup for this house.

So, any suggestion on the most efficient way to get the right amount of heat in my house without hemorrhaging my wallet?

Thanks yet again!!

Bob Forand

Do it right the first time

Hi Christine, I am sorry to hear of your issues. It is often difficult enough purchasing a new home and not knowing it's in and outs. BUT, please take my advise, and do it right the first time. Your heating system can pay you back, when chosen based on efficiency versus price. Don't look for price, look for the most efficient boiler that you can find in your area and save on fuel for the next years to come even though it will cost you a little more today. A little more of important advice, pick your contractor properly. Ask for references, pictures, etc. Dont always trust the contractor who can just talk the talk. Interview the companies and make sure that they can also walk the walk. It is like purchasing a car, you look at many and talk with different dealers before you make your decision.I know it is hard considering you don't have heat, but the next choices you make can make a world of differencse in the years to come. Do it right the first time....