Help finding gas steam boiler with domestic coil

Aveeight

Hi all,

I need help trying to find a boiler that fits my needs and I am struggling to even tell if it exists. I am in the process of converting from oil to gas for a bunch of reasons. I currently have a Weil Mclain oil boiler, 114,000 BTU, with a domestic coil for hot water.

I would like to continue to use a similar boiler with a domestic coil to reduce the installation cost (so I don't have to buy and install another appliance). I realize this will be slightly less efficient at making hot water because it has to fire up all 100k+ BTUs, but I am willing to take that hit.

My question is, does a gas steam boiler with domestic coil exist? And if so, can you link me to any manufacturer? I can't definitively find one online anywhere. I had one HVAC company say they were sure it existed but I am still waiting on a quote. 2 other HVAC companies told me it would be too hard to find one so they recommend putting in a separate water heater (for an additional $1,000+). Hoping to avoid that. Thanks for any help!

SWEI

What kind of shape is the existing boiler in? Converting it to a gas gun could be a viable option. If you do replace the boiler, it must be sized to the installed radiation and not just replaced like for like based on the nameplate ratings.

Most of the major brands still offer tankless coil options.

Aveeight

The current boiler is 21 years old. The boiler itself is in fair condition, no leaks - but it looks its age now. The heat sensor on the current coil is having problems sensing the temperature correctly and 3 of the 6 (8?) bolts holding it in are corroded, one bolt head broke off trying to remove it. Much of the near boiler piping is corroded or poorly installed (lots of copper). My plan was always to replace it when I replaced the unit. The oil burner is in good shape...which isn't helpful.

Interesting point on the proper sizing - can you elaborate? I am not familiar with that. Wouldn't the BTU output be the same? Or is it more how much steam the boiler generates (is that measured in cubic feet of steam?)?

Can you give me any examples of a company that has a tankless coil on gas/steam? I am having trouble understanding if they offer it at all...maybe I am just failing at reading.

KC_Jones

Weil Mclain EG offers it as an option
http://www.weil-mclain.com/sites/default/files/field-file/eg-brochure_1.pdf
Burnham offers it as an option
https://file.ac/9IIdhbTJLLQ/Independence I&O.pdf

Not sure who else might offer those are just 2 I know of. Where are you located we may be able to recommend a good steam contractor in your area? If the "pros" you are calling can't find this information out easily I would question their abilities or their motivation. These things aren't hard to find. I know from personal experience when you order the boiler from the supplier this is a standard question they will/should ask.

Aveeight

I am just west of Philadelphia - any recommendations would be great! I certainly question their motivation - they all want to charge $1000 to install a separate water heater.

KC_Jones

That's a tough spot for steam. There are a couple of really good guys in NJ, but not sure if they will or can cross the border to get to you?! @EzzyT @Dave0176 what say you? Know anyone outside Philly or do you travel that far?
I feel your pain a bit, I am in south central PA and the contractors were lacking for steam. I ended up doing my own replacement. Best of luck to you, hopefully someone may chime in to help.

EzzyT

@Aveeight send me a private message

EzzyT

As @KC_Jones mentioned Those are the only two manufactures I know of too that still offer that option. All manufacturers offer with a wet based boiler just would have to go with a gas burner.

STEAM DOCTOR

Slantfin.

SWEI

Do yourself a favor and order a copy of this now. While you're waiting for it to arrive, read this.

Steamhead

Slant/Fin Intrepid with a coil and a Carlin EZ-Gas burner. Done and done.

HEATON

Peerlis,Hydratherm,Utica,Dunkirk, etc also

ChrisJ

Personally I'd pay the $1000 for a separate heater instead of keeping a boiler with a pitiful 1/2" of insulation hot all summer.

You'll be paying to run that all summer every summer heating your basement, and perhaps entire house to an extent for a long long time. Not to mention you're going to be limited to 3 gallons per minute which is often terrible. For example, taking a shower and running a sink.

Those are my feelings on the subject, and I paid more than that to install my own power vented 50 gal heater when I did my boiler in 2011. I feel it was money well spent.

I'll never go back to a hot water coil in the boiler, ever.

JohnNY

Burnham offers it as an option
https://file.ac/9IIdhbTJLLQ/Independence I&O.pdf

@KC_Jones I'm pretty sure the tankless coil in the Burnham only works if you're using the boiler for a hot water heating system since the coil sits above the water line.