Direct Vent Oil Boiler

ScottSecor

We do very little with oil anymore, that said a plumber friend asked me for a recommendation. He asked which oil fired direct vent hot water boiler I would recommend. Many years ago we installed a few Weil McLain Ultra oil, but later lost the accounts when the owners moved and the local oil company took over the account. I gather draft is very critical and often causes issues.

Can anyone recommend a reliable direct vent oil boiler? Or can you recommend what make and model to stay away from?

STEVEusaPA

EK is direct vent, as are many 3 pass boilers

Steamhead

Also look at the Solaia, which is sold thru Columbia dealers.

ScottSecor

Thank you. I just looked at both of your suggestions. I will not be installing this boiler, but was asked for an opinion. I gather EK boilers must be installed and serviced by authorized dealers. It appears the Solaia does not have that requirement. I know Weil McLain and Peerless are readily available in the area.

Robert O'Brien

Peerless WBVDV works well. With any DV oil boiler following the I&O manual and proper setup& maintenance is critical.

Lance

I have installed Energy Kinetiks units. They are built well, but like most units will not get advertised high efficiency numbers unless water temp is below 160F to achieve maximum condensation of combustion vapor. Most all oil combustion burners will soot at some point so maintenance and settings are critical. As EK says, no trace of smoke in the test!
Direct vent does not always mean highly efficient but it is often associated with high efficient units.
My only beef with new high tech stuff, is you need to know how to use it, set it, adjust it. Many who try are unqualified, and those who are qualified, are few and hard to find.

Big Ed_4

I prefer to use a three pass positive pressure boiler for a direct vent boilers .. They are designed to run on no draft over fire ... Check out the Buderus . Heat loss calculation is needed for the smallest boiler needed ... smaller the better with direct vent ..

Jim Hankinson

EK does not make a true direct vent oil boiler, they must be either chimney vented or power vented. The oil units also are non-condensing. EK was the first oil fired boiler in the mid-80's to be listed for use with a power venter.

As far as testing combustion and proper setup, burners should be set with a reliable test kit. EK does not make it a point to state "no trace of smoke" to prevent sooting, but because if the air is set for a trace, the fire is so clean the O2 (CO2) will be way off. You won't get a trace until you're 14+%. If the CO2 is adjusted correctly (10 - 11%) everything else falls into place.