Boiler replacement

Hanson

We have a Laars JVS125 in our condo in Frisco CO that needs to be replaced. It is 20 years old.
It has been suggested that we replace it with another similar Laars or with a Weil McLain last iron boiler. We would like advice on what to do and whether another make of similar boiler would be better. Thanks
Chuck

delta T

What kind of system do you have? Baseboard? Radiant? Hydroair? That will help in boiler selection. Generally cast iron will last longer (if properly sized and maintained) than anything else. Brand choice should be based upon what brand is well represented in your area (are parts readily available), and what your installer is most familiar with. A heat loss calculation MUST be performed to select the proper size. An oversized boiler is likely to have a shorter life and more frequent repairs. It is usually very hard to undersize a boiler. You would be surprised at how small a boiler you can get away with. How many square feet is your house?

delta T

Also, what elevation are you at, and what fuel are you using?

kcopp

Agreed.
Must be a big condo for a 125K btu boiler.

delta T

My thoughts exactly, though Frisco is pretty high, at 9000' so with atmospheric you would be looking at 125,000 x ~.54 (84% efficiency, and 36% loss for elevation) for 67500 output. Still has to be a pretty big condo.....

Hanson

The condo is 1700sq feet
altitude a little over 9,000ft
baseboard

delta T

So, your boiler is a little on the large side probably, make sure whoever installs it does a proper heat loss (this involves lots of measuring windows, doors, walls, etc...not just the baseboard lengths). If I were to pick between a copper fin tube (what you have now) and a cast Iron, I would choose cast iron for the durability. a copper fin boiler will only last you about 20-25 years at most. A cast iron could last 50, though that is no guaranty.

What would you say is the coldest it ever gets up there?

Hanson

Which brand or brands would you suggest for cast iron ? Weil McLain or other?

delta T

It really depends more on who is familiar with what brand near you, who has parts readily available etc. Weil McLain is a solid brand that has been around for a long time.

Hanson

thanks