new peerless oil steam replacement boiler - cost

JamesC in Stamford CT

I need to replace the boiler, the block sprung a leak and its old and it's finally time.
My plumber says the boiler I have is very expensive to replace! I can't find my model online.
Does anyone have an idea of what this replacement should cost (just for parts)? Ballpark or estimate is OK.
Peerless ECT-03-120-SPT
DOE Htg capacity or gross output bu/hr: 144,000 / 142,000

Jamie Hall

First, one of the very first and most important rules of the Wall is that we don't talk price. Period.

Second, are you sure that you are looking for the right sized boiler? Has anyone evaluated the size of the installed radiation, for steam, or the heat loss of the structure, for hot water? If not, you have no idea what size boiler you want, never mind what manufacturer.

JamesC in Stamford CT

Thanks Jamie, and profuse apologies. I forgot completely about the rules about not talking about costs.
As for the sizing, it was a replacement about 20 years ago and it is completely possible the old installer did not properly size it. I will do some measurements and calculations and see if it is the right size.

ethicalpaul

You can find the boiler available online, but as you can imagine the cost of the boiler is only a piece of the puzzle. There are probably several boilers you could choose from, each with their own pros and cons but people mostly say the most important part is picking a good contractor. I agree with that in general.

Jamie's advice about getting your system correctly sized is right on the money.

For reference:
https://www.afsupply.com/peerless-1603102-ect-03-s-ect-series-residential-oil-fired-steam-boiler-140-000-btu-84-4-afue-natural-draft-burner-not-included-knockdown.html?gclid=CjwKCAjwmK6IBhBqEiwAocMc8tSDGhnw_G1DwOazXI7gVmuG7dTH-TPZ-hNB7Ffnjx6YDuR_4_mXPxoC7UoQAvD_BwE

dopey27177

Dopey said:

your boiler 140,000 BTU

Large capacity water boiler especially used with a submersed coil for producing domestic hot water.

Things that will drive the cost of a boiler up are,

Are you producing domestic hot water with your boiler?

To understand this you need to know that a coil in the boiler or indirect domestic water supply will require a significant increase in BTU supply to produce the hot water. Depending on where you live the domestic cold water entry to the house can be as low as 45 degrees. To get 1 gallon of hot water at 120 degrees can require as much as 50,000 btuh. Most homes need 3 to 4 gpm hot water supply. Taking 3-4 gpm the btu requirement is 150,000 -200,000 btuh. This added amount of btuh in many cases is more than what many homes need for heating.

Installing a coil in the boiler is great if you need extra space in the basement or you do not want a storage tank or an additional unit to produce hot water in the basement.

There are controls and of course the use of a mixing valve can lower the the size of coil in the boiler.

The determination of convenience and cost is up to the buyer.

Today all boilers cost a bit more than years ago. Years ago your boiler could be had for about $1500.00 with a coil.

Make sure that your contractor provides correct size of the boiler and coil for hot water if that is your need.
Or no coil and the correct size of your boiler for steam heat.\

While he is at the home he needs to asses the btu requirement for the heating load and add 30% for pipe friction loss.

Let him state in the contract the boiler model, Btu input, a coil if needed and assure you that the near boiler piping is done as the manufacturer requires and include all new safety controls as well as operational controls, some times they are supplied by the boiler manufacturer in a package, that package will drive up the cost of the boiler.

Jake

Jamie Hall said:

First, one of the very first and most important rules of the Wall is that we don't talk price. Period.

Second, are you sure that you are looking for the right sized boiler? Has anyone evaluated the size of the installed radiation, for steam, or the heat loss of the structure, for hot water? If not, you have no idea what size boiler you want, never mind what manufacturer.

Steamhead

If I were replacing that boiler and staying with oil, I'd go with a Burnham MegaSteam. It's much more efficient, lasts longer and easier to maintain.

@JamesC in Stamford CT , have you looked here for a Steam Man to handle the job?

https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/