Need help deciding between two gas boilers - Burnham 305 and ProSelect Force

DutchColonial

Hi! So, our old (60+ year) oil boiler decided to die an inglorious death a few weeks back. We have a still working 50+ year old gas boiler that only heats the 2nd floor. (yes we have two boilers...and two fuel sources. the house used to be a multi-family and we are going back to single family). We are going to be combining the systems back to one and go fully with gas. The boiler will handle heating 3 levels (1st & 2nd floors and basement) of convectors and some baseboard, and our DHW for 3 full baths, a dishwasher and laundry machines.

We got 4 different estimates and have narrowed it down to the most affordable options for us.

Burnham 305 - 117K BTU - 305BNI-T
https://www.ecomfort.com/Burnham-305BNI-T/p38005.html
vs
ProSelect® Force™ Boilers -142k BTU (FORCE06ENRHG1)
https://www.ecomfort.com/ProSelect-Force-Boilers-FORCE06ENRHG1/p111066.html

Does anyone have any feedback/reviews/experiences from these two boilers/companies? I'm finding very little about the ProSelect Force Boilers.... I know Burnham has a good reputation but that can differ from product to product.

I'd appreciate any advice or insights! I'm used to our old boilers being these awesome workhorses, and changing to a completely new system is hard for me.

Steamhead

The Force is made by U.S. Boiler, which also makes Burnham, New Yorker and others. It's Ferguson's house brand.

First off, though- how did they size these boilers? Did anyone go around to each room, measure it up and do a heat-loss calculation?

DutchColonial

Steamhead said:

The Force is made by U.S. Boiler, which also makes Burnham, New Yorker and others. It's Ferguson's house brand.

First off, though- how did they size these boilers? Did anyone go around to each room, measure it up and do a heat-loss calculation?

The Burnham-recommended company did not (they took the BTUs off of the old boilers), the Force- recommended company did go through each room/measured/etc.

We have a 2-story house, roughly 1500 sqft on the first two levels, with an additional 600 sqft in the basement that is heated.

ethicalpaul

> The Burnham-recommended company did not (they took the BTUs off of the old boilers), the Force- recommended company did go through each room/measured/etc.

Then don't let the Burnham-recommended company back in your house. They had their chance and proved themselves incompetent.

Hot_water_fan

The total square footage is 3600?

Steamhead

Hot_water_fan said:

The total square footage is 3600?

@DutchColonial , it's more like 2100, correct?

DutchColonial

Steamhead said:

Hot_water_fan said:

The total square footage is 3600?

@DutchColonial , it's more like 2100, correct?

Yes. Right around 2000-2100 sqft of heated space (including the basement finished room). The above grade square footage is 1560 sqft.

Hot_water_fan

Yes. Right around 2000-2100 sqft of heated space (including the basement finished room). The above grade square footage is 1560 sqft. 

How much oil and gas combined was used this last winter? Both of the proposed options seem gigantic for a space this size. Oversizing costs you more upfront and costs you more annually.  

Steamhead

Interesting that the proposed Force boiler is bigger than the Burnham. I don't think they did a proper heat-loss calculation. @DutchColonial , where are you located?

DutchColonial

I honestly don't know. I normally am in charge of the oil purchasing, and my husband handles the natural gas bill. I'd say in the last year I've spent about $3,600 in oil.

DutchColonial

Steamhead said:

Interesting that the proposed Force boiler is bigger than the Burnham. I don't think they did a proper heat-loss calculation. @DutchColonial , where are you located?

I'm located in MD.

Steamhead

DutchColonial said:

I'm located in MD.

Baltimore area?

DutchColonial

Nope.

Steamhead

Where, then? We might know someone.............