from homeowner: Replacing oil-fired boiler and hot water system

Rob Stannier

First, thank you to everyone who responded for your time, thoughts and comments.

Second, I ended up installing a Weil-McLain boiler with a separate electric hot water heater. I stayed away from the tankless coil/exchange plate because I'm using a coil to heat the hot water loop that runs off the boiler that heats the kitchen and because the water from the boiler will lower the age of the indirect tank. I have to be diligent in keeping the boiler dry during the non-heating months, but overall I think I'll have less issues over time.

best wishes, Aron

Aron Steck

from homeowner: Replacing oil-fired boiler and hot water system

I need to replace my current boiler and hot water storage tank and I would like the expert's advice.

Current system is an 11yo Burnham oil-fired steam boiler with a tankless coil and electric hot water storage tank. The boiler has a crack and the storage tank has a leak. There is a hot water loop off the boiler that heats a 10yo addition.

I do not have access to natural gas and propane isn't feasible, so I have to stick with oil.

After considering the options--stick with existing configuration, switch to indirect hot water or switch to stand alone electric hot water--I am leaning towards an oil-fired steam boiler that will only be used for heating and a separate electric hot water heater.

There are a couple of reasons why: First, I don't want to run my boiler all year to heat hot water: it isn't energy efficient, lowers life of boiler and heats the basement. Second, I don't want to put a coil in the boiler because the gaskets will eventually leak and the coil will get corroded.

First, do you concur with my conclusion? If not, how come?

Second, which brand of oil-fired steam boiler do you recommend? My installer suggests Weil-McLain. Their warranty is 10 yrs, Dunkirk/Utica is 12 yrs. What other manufacturers should I consider and why?

Third, are there major differences between electric hot water heaters?

thank you, Aron

oil-2-4-6-gas

Energy Kinetics system 2000 with plate exchanger and water storage tank ---reason---i put 1 in the secretaries house so far this season shes looking at a solid 30% drop in oil usage --i know a local service mechanic who, i just found out has put in over 100 in the past 8 years -he has -always seen a dramatic reduction in fuel consumption ---the largest drop he can attest to is 50%

JackR

Warranty?

Why not go to Burnham and redeem the warranty that is left on the 11yr old boiler and put it toward one of their new MPO three pass boilers, I've been using them for the last few years and they have been nothing short of fantastic. I had a similar case last year where there was a 13yr old unit that had failed and Burnham gave the customer a hefty credit towards a new MPO. I know Burnham has a limited Lifetime on their cast iron products.

John@Reliable_14

Read the post Steam boiler

and most steamers only have 10 year warranty.
That said I would look at a Smith boiler, great steam boilers but they lack on the tankless side, just like all the rest. A properly sized and installed boiler with an in-direct is the way to go.

rjm

another v7?

I just resentally replaced may in-law's 10yr old burnham. They have a limited lifetime warranty on there boilers, that will pay for partial replacement. If possible upgrade it to the MegaSteam. Money well spent in my eyes.

Alan_11

steam

System 2000 would not work well there, but would recommend the external plate exchanger instead of a coil.

Leo_18

Aron

Aron said, "I have to be diligent in keeping the boiler dry during the non-heating months, but overall I think I'll have less issues over time."

This is imperative, you would have done much better using an indirect water heater off this boiler. When I do an annual service in the summer on your set up it adds an hour to the job to heat it up and dry it out.

Good Luck,
Leo

nicholas bonham-carter

steam boiler replacement

since your old boiler failed so early in its youth, you may want to take this time to correct whatever problem [in the piping maybe, excessive pressure, thermal shock in the returns... ]which was responsible.
also try to get a vaporstat, and good low pressure gauge. pay particular attention to the venting [if 1-pipe steam]--nbc