Help decide on the new heat only boiler. Rinnai i90sn, IBC SFB 99-1 or Navien NHB 110H

toilman

Looking to update a highly inefficient electric boiler by going back to natural gas (estimated 5x annual savings).

What boiler would you recommend? My plumber recommends IBC as a better choice for support and better heat exchanger. However, unlike Rinnai or Navien I can’t find any positive or negative reviews online.

Jamie Hall

Since more than half of a successful and satisfactory install is the installer, I'd go with what your plumber likes and is happy working with. On-line reviews, particularly of heating equipment, are — in my humble opinion, unless they are on sites like this one — worse than useless.

mattmia2

What brands does the installer know? I'd go Wiessman, Lochinvar, HTP, Weil Mclain.

Almost all online reviews I have found of anything have been skewed by someone trying to sell a particular product.

mattmia2

Firetube boilers are a bit more tolerant of minor design and control issues than watertube boilers.

Alan (California Radiant) Forbes

I don't think you can go wrong with either one. Both have excellent technical support and both are well made.

SuperTech

Anything but Navien.

Teemok

IBC or more accurately Intergas

Then Rinnai

Zman

Online reviews are tough. Some are skewed by manufacturer AI robots, most legit reviews are by homeowners that don't really understand why their systems are failing, they are just frustrated.

To add to the problem, less expensive brands like Navien are the preferred brand of less qualified "bottom feeding" contractors. When you go down that wormhole, you end up with a lesser product installed by an unqualified contractor (and more negative reviews).

I would suggest finding a highly recommended contractor, not one that advertises more, but one that is referred by someone you trust, and be prepared to pay a fair price for quality work.