New boiler time.

Fred Rappuhn

I am replacing an WM HE2 147,000 BTU, I have done the SlantFin Explorer Heat loss and I come up with a need for 85,000 BTU. Not sure how long we plan on keeping house and debating the investment for a hi eff. boiler. but if we did, it was suggested to me to go with a Triangle Tube Challenger or a WM Eco. NG / direct vent, hot water heat. Comments recommendations, ect????? Need some good advice.

Brewbeer

Can you describe the radiation? Type and amount of emitters, zones, etc.

Fred Rappuhn

Old house, originally whole house was heated with CI rads, over the years rooms were combined and some rads removed, some room have no rads,and some fin tube to heat the basement.
I had some re piping done about 10 yrs ago, (5 zones) ,
1 zone covered main floor, (living room, dining room, bathroom , kitchen) entire 1st floor is heated with 2 CI rads. Plan to add Panel rads to this zone in addition to the CI rad shown in the photo (located in kitchen) I know CI rad and panel rads are not an ideal mix but wife loves the CI rad in the kitchen.
2nd zone for entire upstairs, plan to install new fin tube. This zone is bedrooms, bathroom and laundry room.
3rd zone is all fin tube, basement.
4th zone is large enclosed porch, all fin tube.
5th zone, spare sitting idle.

The WM HE6 series 2, (137,000 BTU) is way over sized and short cycles, also have the old mercury cycle pilot that really needs to be converted. Figured to not convert and replace boiler, 30+ yrs old.

Fred Rappuhn

Photos for my post

hot_rod

I think I would still recommend a mod con type boiler. It gives you modulation, out door reset, and the best efficiency.

Even if you do not condense on design days, many shoulder season days you will, so it gets you into the 90% efficiency range.

I don't think there is a bad mod con in the bunch if you stick with the big names.

Lochinvar, Burnham, HTP, Triangle, Bosch, SlantFin, Laars, Viessmann, so many choices.

Find the installer you trust and go with his suggestion, he will pick the brand he knows, trusts and gets support for.

Fred Rappuhn

I planned on installing the boiler myself, my father was a boiler man and I worked with him many years ago. Along with the help of another plumbing/heating friend for assistance. But all suppliers have different opinions, that's why I am here!

hot_rod

With the high efficiency boilers, you really need to have a combustion analyzer to dial them in. once you fire them up.

Fred Rappuhn

On a 2nd thought.... would it be worth installing the HSI conversion kit to eliminated the mercury cycle pilot on the boiler pictured above??? Other than that, the boiler operates OK , but a bit oversized.

lchmb

I would suggest the Triangle Tube but go with the Prestige solo. What do you have for HW?

Fred Rappuhn

The TT Solo was in the consideration too. We have a new water heater installed.

hot_rod

Cast iron boilers can live 20- 30 years with proper care. You should get low 80% efficiencies out of that boiler. Maybe a control upgrade with ODR and a small 25 gallon buffer tank, if it is in good condition.

This journal explains the concept of buffer tanks and the importance of outdoor reset controls.

http://www.caleffi.com/sites/default/files/coll_attach_file/idronics_17_na.pdf

jonny88

Was at a HTP demo this week and was very impressed.Basically they have a boiler for every application.I am looking forward to putting in a UFT soon(hopefully).Great prices and am looking forward to trying them out.

Fred Rappuhn

Just ordered a Conversion Kit from Cycle Pilot System to Gold Control HSI and the Tekmar 256 outdoor set back, plan on going that route. Spent my saving on panel rads!!!! This ole boiler has more life in her, just my opinion, I have the original users guide/manual and says it's a 85%. Thanks.

vaporvac

Your CI rads are really attractive. You're just adding to them, correct?

Steamhead

Fred Rappuhn said:

On a 2nd thought.... would it be worth installing the HSI conversion kit to eliminated the mercury cycle pilot on the boiler pictured above???

You'd want to use a Honeywell spark-to-pilot kit, the Y8610. HSI ignitors can be rather fragile, but this flavor of spark-to-pilot is pretty much bulletproof if installed correctly. Also, since the house is old enough for a coal-designed chimney, install a stack damper if you don't already have one, to reduce off-cycle loss up the chimney.

Fred Rappuhn

Yes, CI rads are beautiful, at least some......we are using the attractive ones on main floor and other elsewhere if poss. The one pictured, I just power washed only, plan is to blast and powder coat. Main floor is where we spent the most time. that's our main efforts.

kcopp

I would add to the CI rads w/ more CI rads. You can find them on plenty of places. Cragslist, ebay, and here.