Trying to choose between two boilers...

PG43

We are converting to gas and trying to choose new boiler. Home built in 1961, in New Jersey, 2 story, 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2300 sf. Currently heated by 30 year old Weil McLain boiler, baseboards with fins. We have 2 estimates: Bradford White Brute combi floor model, 199,000 BTU or Bosch Greenstar 131 floor model combi. No room for boiler and separate DHW. Just trying to determine which may last longer and cause us less trouble, what goes wrong, how easy to repair, how easy to get parts. Any thoughts on either option are appreciated.

JUGHNE

What do you do for DHW now, considering that you do not have room for an indirect?

EBEBRATT-Ed

No room for a hot water heater? What is heating the DHW now?

Most would not recommend a combi. They can be problimatic.

Do you want high efficiency or anothe CI boiler?

If CI i would use Weil McLain or Peerless or Crown.

Mod Con I would use Viessmann, Lochinvar or HTP

In Jersey you should contact @EzzyT or @clammy they sometimes work together or @JohnNY You can't go wrong with any of them.

You're lucky to have some good contractors to chose from. Some areas have 0

Steamhead

Also look at the Energy Kinetics Ascent Combi. It can burn either oil or gas, should fit in the existing space and doesn't need a tank. One of our customers has one and it performs well.

@Roger is with E.K. and frequents this board.

kcopp

I presume it a oil fired WM 68 series w/ a tankless coil.

Roger

@PG43 (thank you for the suggestion, @Steamhead ), if you’re looking for longevity, serviceability, and high efficiency with tons of hot water in a footpint not too much different than a tankless coil boiler, you might want to check out a stackable System 2000 Frontier gas model. It has a low profile 40 gallon tank under the boiler and can chimney vent below the breech of the boiler per our UL listing. A photo is toward the bottom of the page.

https://energykinetics.com/system2000-quietest-most-efficient-boiler/

You may also want to look at an Ascent Combi (chimney vent) or Ascent Plus Combi (sidewall vent). They provide much more continuous hot water and are much quieter and more efficient than tankless coil boilers.

https://energykinetics.com/ascent-combi-boiler/

All these models have proven long life, use nearly all industry standard parts, and are very serviceable. Energy Kinetics is here to support you and heating pros so you can have confidence in our products as well.

Please reach out to us here or at (908) 735-2066 if you have questions or we can help.

Best,
Roger

GroundUp

If I HAD to choose one of those two, it'd be the Brute hands down. Much better quality unit with a much more user friendly interface, and double the modulation capability. The EK tends to have a cult-like following and the guys that like them love them, but the rest of us can't stand the sight of them due to issues we've encountered along the way. Ultimately, the product is only as good as its installer so even a mediocre boiler with a quality install will be a better option than a top shelf boiler with a crappy install so how did you feel about the contractors themselves? Personally I'd try to get another estimate or two, and try to make space for an indirect tank (NTI makes a wall-hung one now that can be located pretty much anywhere) rather than a combi, but that's just my opinion.

PG43

Thanks all for the suggestions! Yes, our current boiler heats the hot water too. Don't know the model. When we thought we were staying with oil we were quoted for the EK. Not sure why they didn't quote it for gas. In our area, South Jersey, I can't find anyone who installs anything but the Brute, Bosch or Navien. Not doing Navien based on reviews. I'll try to get quote for separate indirect wall hung tank. The contractors both seemed knowledgeable, but how would I really know?

ttquick61

Hi PG 43

I’m the local Territory Manager for Energy Kinetics. If you have any questions please feel free to call or e mail me.
908-752-2306 or tomr@energykinetics.com.

Steamhead

@PG43 , @Roger 's comment about using standard parts is important. Most if not all condensing boilers use proprietary components that no one else uses, and they always seem to be two weeks away. You don't want to be in that situation in the dead of winter. We like to be able to fix a problem "right off the truck", and you just can't do that with proprietary parts. EK uses the Carlin EZ-Gas burner which is an excellent, well-supported unit.

Longevity is another consideration. Condensing boilers might be good for 10-15 years if you're lucky, and at that age parts may not be available any more. I'm told this is standard procedure in Europe- if your boiler is that old and it needs a part, you have to buy a whole new one.

Also, neither the Brute or the Greenstar can exhaust into a standard chimney, so you have to find another location which usually means busting through a wall. The Ascent Combi (but not the "Plus") can use a standard chimney with a proper liner.

And if "buying local" is a consideration, Energy Kinetics is NJ- based- they're in Lebanon.

PG43

Thanks. Now we have a lot to consider, but great info and much appreciated.