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questions to ask for new boiler quote?

Rtraveler1
Rtraveler1 Member Posts: 8
in THE MAIN WALL
I currently have a 60 yr old oil based furnace in a 9,000 sq ft warehouse. I am requesting quotes for a new gas based furnace. What questions should I ask?

I was thinking, as the least:

1) how much in parts & labor?

2) what kind of boiler?

3) how many BTU?

4) Where will the boiler, pipes, blowers, be placed?

What else should I ask? Thank you.

Comments

  • Zman
    Zman Member Posts: 7,611
    Design

    Who will be designing the new system?

    I whole lot has changed in 60 years, a 1 for1 replacement may not be appropriate.

    One approach would be to pay someone to design a new system then get apples to apples quotes based on the design.

    I think if you ask 10 contractors you will get 10 different bids in both price and scope. This will leave more questions than answers.



    At some point you will need to discuss asbestos.

    Furnaces heat air, boilers heat water. They are not the same.



    If you post pictures, you may get better insight.

    Carl
    "If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough"
    Albert Einstein
  • Rtraveler1
    Rtraveler1 Member Posts: 8
    Boiler

    Would I hire an HVAC contractor just to design it? I currently have a HB Smith boiler but I am open to any new efficient system.
  • Zman
    Zman Member Posts: 7,611
    Pictures

    How big is the boiler?

    Are the emitters ceiling fan coils?

    How many zones? How are they controlled?

    Just trying to get a feeling as to how complex your system is.

    Carl
    "If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough"
    Albert Einstein
  • Rtraveler1
    Rtraveler1 Member Posts: 8
    edited January 2014
    1 zone

    It's 1 zone with a blower at each corner, so 4 blowers total.

    Boiler is about 6 feet x 6 feet x 6 feet.
  • Zman
    Zman Member Posts: 7,611
    Sizing

    You definitely won't need another 6x6x6 boiler.

    Does the boiler or the blower have a BTU rating?

    It sounds like you could replace the boiler and near boiler piping and components without any major redesign.

    A high efficiency model would be a good move.

    Carl
    "If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough"
    Albert Einstein
  • SWEI
    SWEI Member Posts: 7,356
    Full system evaluation highly recommended.

    don't just replace the boiler -- you need a qualified contractor or engineer to look at the whole building and advise you on the best course of action.



    At a minimum, this means looking at the building envelope, occupancy and use patterns, fuel costs, and possible future changes to any of these.
  • Rtraveler1
    Rtraveler1 Member Posts: 8
    Full system evaluation ?

    Would I hire an HVAC for an evaluation? What kind of company performs this type of service to do an evaluation and design? Thanks.
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 16,477
    Evaluation

    a QUALIFIED heating contractor can do this. 
  • jumper
    jumper Member Posts: 2,385
    make certain

    Make certain quote includes removal of old one.

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