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Need a new boiler or should I go tankless

TheDavidDDuncan
TheDavidDDuncan Member Posts: 8
in Oil Heating
Our ancient boiler is about to go. Not sure if I should get a new boiler or get a combi. How much would a new boiler cost? This will be for a rental unit. Thanks 

Comments

  • Grallert
    Grallert Member Posts: 780
    Yes. Boiler and an indirect. Keep it simple.
    Miss Hall's School service mechanic, greenhouse manager,teacher and dog walker
    Mad Dog_2ethicalpaul
  • Long Beach Ed
    Long Beach Ed Member Posts: 1,321
    Is the tenant paying for oil or are you? That would determine my water-heating choice. Since you maintain the equipment, I would go with the others' advice and keep it simple, basic and reliable.
  • pecmsg
    pecmsg Member Posts: 5,298
    A properly sized boiler installed by a qualified contractor.
    TheDavidDDuncan
  • TheDavidDDuncan
    TheDavidDDuncan Member Posts: 8
    Long Beach Ed said:
    Is the tenant paying for oil or are you? That would determine my water-heating choice. Since you maintain the equipment, I would go with the others' advice and keep it simple, basic and reliable.
    Tenant would pay for oil. 
  • Mad Dog_2
    Mad Dog_2 Member Posts: 7,519
    Turbomax Indirect..Mad Dog 🐕 
    Consulting by Mad Dog & Matt Jr.
    Intplm.SuperTech
  • ethicalpaul
    ethicalpaul Member Posts: 6,669
    edited March 8
    Grallert said:

    Yes. Boiler and an indirect. Keep it simple.

    An indirect is simple? Lots of pipe, a circulator, an aquastat, a special tank (that probably costs the same as an electric water heater), plus having to keep your boiler running in the summer. I don't call that simple.

    Correction, it costs double a water heater, for just 30 gallons:

    https://www.afsupply.com/turbomax-turbomax-30-3-30-gallon-residential-and-commercial-instantaneous-indirect-water-heater.html?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAi6uvBhADEiwAWiyRdmSMQWVs6RUN5INoFHn5ppbcN0K9g6AYiI_CYOgCTO8z-u54msvOUxoCgLsQAvD_BwE

    I think they must be just really super fun to install, or be a huge cash cow because otherwise I just can't picture why so many people in this forum recommend them.

    Here you go, 50 gallons, quick recovery, I just saved you thousands of dollars in materials and labor:

    https://www.ferguson.com/product/bradford-white-50-gal.-tall-4.5kw-2-element-residential-electric-water-heater-bre250t61ncww/7800457.html

    NJ Steam Homeowner.
    Free NJ and remote steam advice: https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/new-jersey-steam-help/
    See my sight glass boiler videos: https://bit.ly/3sZW1el

    Mad Dog_2SuperTech
  • Mad Dog_2
    Mad Dog_2 Member Posts: 7,519
    And how many water heaters or indirect have you installed in your life, Paul?  Mad Dog 🐕 
    Consulting by Mad Dog & Matt Jr.
    SuperTech
  • ethicalpaul
    ethicalpaul Member Posts: 6,669
    edited March 8
    Instead of attacking me, attack my argument. Tell me how my thinking is wrong, you might convince me! Look up "ad hominem attack" on google or "appeal to authority logical fallacy".

    I have installed one solar DHW system that had an indirect tank running off of the solar loop with a controller.

    I have installed one electric water heater to replace an ancient electric one that was in place.

    I have installed one heat pump water heater to replace a gas fired unit.

    Edit: oh yeah I forgot one: I replaced a direct coil with an electric unit.

    NJ Steam Homeowner.
    Free NJ and remote steam advice: https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/new-jersey-steam-help/
    See my sight glass boiler videos: https://bit.ly/3sZW1el

    LRCCBJ
  • Intplm.
    Intplm. Member Posts: 2,200
    @TheDavidDDuncan
    Ease of us and installation rental unit or not.
    Replace with a new boiler as a direct replacement with the least amount of installation modifications needed.
    As too the hot water requirement---As a land lord the least amount of complaints is what any and all would want for sure. So. If your budget allows, install a separate water heater of your choice with the least amount of material and down time.
    This way, if one or the other needs service only one will be off line.
    In your case, as a rental unit. A simple as possible separate water heater and boiler.IMHO.

    Another choice that is more economically installed and will still be an improvement from the current failing boiler is one similar to what you have now but installed with a true mixing valve off of the hot water coil.
    In your picture you have a tempering valve installed on the coil. This, to put it plainly is old technology and, well...it's junk. Don't ever have one of these installed serving domestic hat water. They are old out dated technology and do not last long at all. A mixing valve should be installed there.
    ethicalpaulTheDavidDDuncan
  • Intplm.
    Intplm. Member Posts: 2,200
    Mad Dog_2 said:

    Turbomax Indirect..Mad Dog 🐕 

    Some beautiful work .
    ethicalpaulSuperTech
  • DJD775
    DJD775 Member Posts: 255
    Since it's a rental unit I would keep it simple and just install a similar style boiler that is properly sized and be done with it. If it was my house I would install a 3 pass boiler and an indirect or possibly go a different direction if I had natural gas available.
    TheDavidDDuncan
  • TheDavidDDuncan
    TheDavidDDuncan Member Posts: 8
    DJD775 said:
    Since it's a rental unit I would keep it simple and just install a similar style boiler that is properly sized and be done with it. If it was my house I would install a 3 pass boiler and an indirect or possibly go a different direction if I had natural gas available.
    We do have natural gas for gas stove. 

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