Replacement Boiler Contract Questions...HELP!!!

Jeff_130

Hello:

I've got an old American Standard A3 boiler with tankless coil that is still chugging along but a bit on the pricey side so I want to upgrade my system to a more modern fuel efficient system.

I've read Dan's books and think I have at least a basic understanding for a homeowner.  I've run off the "knuckleheads" who haven't measured my rads, discuss k factor, etc. and narrowed it down to a few local reputable contractors but have a couple of questions I hope you guys can help me with.

Assuming that they've calculated the sizing correctly, what aside from AFUE should I be considering when evaluating the different proposals?

My calculations come up with 574 sq. ft. of steam which falls between many of the boiler sizes that I've seen.  Is it better to go up, go down, or to the closest? 

I plan on including in the contract the install of the boiler, near boiler piping, and tankless coil in accordance with manufacturers installation instructions; adequate skimming of the boiler; ????  what else should I ensure is in there????



Happy Holidays!!!



Jeff

Rod

New Boiler Questions

Hi Jeff-  it sounds as though you already have the standard "boiler plate" terms  down pretty well.  You haven't told us what type of system you have or what fuel you plan on using. You want to have a pretty good idea of what boiler you are going to use and how exactly you want to get it piped in. At a certain point it is the details which are important. Do you have the make/model of the boiler you are considering? I might help also if you could post a picture of your present system.

- Rod

Jeff_130

More Info

Rod:

Thanks for the response.  I'm currently using oil and planning on staying with that.  I'm really not sure about the system and am waiting for recommendations from the contractors.  I've done some research and am leaning towards the Burnham MegaSteam or a Peerless ECT but don't know how to compare those apples to oranges aside from their AFUE.

What do you mean "how exactly you want to get it piped in"?  What else do I need to add aside from installation in accordance with manufacturers instructions as far as piping? 

At the end of the day I want them to hook it up to the existing system (which works fine, although inefficiently) and have the same results with a lower oil bill.  What am I not getting?

Thanks.

Jeff

Rod

Boiler Replacement

Hi Jeff- Both the Peerless ECT and the Megasteam are good boilers. (I have an ECT-04). Efficiency wise the Megasteam probably has it over the ETC. Is gas available to you now or in the near future?  

You have to keep in mind that boiler manufacturer’s instructions are minimums, not optimums.

Do you have the I&O manuals for the ECT and the Megasteam?  If so take a look at Page 25 in the Mega steam manual and at specifically the drawing  “alternate piping method” this is piped as with a dropheader and is how you would want both the ECT and the Megasteam piped.  Also in the Megasteam diagram not the use of tees rather than elbows at strategic places in the system so that they can be used as cleanouts. This is what I mean by “details”. The Megasteam diagram is far as detail goes more complete than most other including the ECT’s but that doesn’t mean you can’t specify the same detail on the ETC.



Possible details to include in the specification:

1. King valves

2. Ball valve on the upturn of the wet return before it connects with the equalizer.

3. Plugged Tees used rather than elbows.

4. Vaporstat instead of a pressuretrol

5. Tee installed on the pressuretrol/ vaporstat piping so a low pressure gauge could be easily added.

6. Valve or pipe cap installed on a nipple attached to the skim port tapping.

7. New Main Vents.

Those are the items that come immediately to mind. I’m sure others can add to the list. If you need the I&O Manuals for the ECT and Megasteam email me and I ‘ll send them to you.

- Rod

Jamie Hall

Rod's got a pretty good list for you there

but may I add a comment?  The most important thing is that you are comfortable with the installer, the installer is comfortable with steam -- and the installer is comfortable with the boiler.



AFUE is a very fine thing, I suppose -- somewhat like EPA mileage ratings for cars.  And, somewhat like mileage ratings for cars, your mileage may (will!) vary.  For that reason, among the better boilers, I would simply ignore it.  Megasteam is excellent, but so is ECT -- and Slant Fin, and Weil McClain, and...



If the installer does it right, you'll get excellent results from any of them.  If he doesn't, it can have the best AFUE in the world -- and it won't work properly.

Steamhead

I'd go with the MegaSteam

its three-pass design makes it more efficient, easier to service, and more corrosion-resistant.



I'd also use an indirect tank running off the boiler, rather than a tankless coil, though this way does cost more. You get much more hot water this way for less operating cost. SuperStor makes one we really like for use with steam boilers.

Jeff_130

Thanks so much for your help

I am still waiting for the quotes and will keep this great advice in mind.



Happy Holidays!



Jeff