new heating system suggestions

jp_2

insulate as much as possible, 2x6 walls too. this will allow for the smallest boiler possible and continuous low heating bills

seans10

new heating system suggestions?

We are in the process of putting a large addition on our home (1400sf). As part of the process, we need a new heating system. We currently have steam, but will change the whole house (old & new portions) to FHW baseboard. The question I have is what boiler to put in? The builder says he usually uses Burnham but I have heard of issues with leaks on some Burnham boilers. We want something that will be efficient and reliable, but also cost effective to install. I am willing to pay a little more for a boiler that I will never have to worry about. I am not an expert and I am seeking guidance so I know what my options are and what to look out for.

Thanks,
-Sean

Leo_10

In this day and age

In this day and age and all the work you have planned if it is the Burnham MPO you should be fine. It was their V7 series that got the bad reputation. Their V8 isn't bad but the MPO has what many consider newer technology.

Good luck on the remodel,

Leo

Steamhead (in transit)

Sounds to me

like you're doing a whole lot more than you need to.

I'm sure you plan for the addition to be a separate heating zone from the original house. It would make more sense to use a separate hot-water boiler for the addition, and leave the steam as is. First off, you could purchase a smaller boiler and save a bunch of money there, and also on the demolition and installation in the main house which would not be needed.

Second, the smaller hot-water boiler could be used to drive an indirect tank for your hot faucet water, and in the summer you wouldn't have to heat up a big boiler to do this. If you're currently using a direct-fired or electric tank-type heater, you'll find this setup more efficient, and the indirect would give you more hot water as well.

Last but not least, two boilers would give you some redundancy. If one boiler broke down, you'd still have heat in the other part of the house.

Something to think about. I know what I'd do if that were my house......

For oil-fired hot-water boilers, the Burnham MPO is an excellent choice. Its efficiency is among the best in its class, and its three-pass design makes it much, much easier to service than any vertical-flue pin-type boiler (including Burnham's V8). It also runs very quietly.

Make sure the installer does a heat-loss calculation to size the new boiler. If he doesn't, or won't, find someone else.



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