New gas fired steam boiler: Williamson vs New Yorker

redheadgenes

Hi

I'm a new home owner. I have to replace a gas fired steam boiler in my 1880 three family house. This boiler is for 1 apt, roughly 1500 sq ft. One plumber gave me a quote for a Williamson, one for a New Yorker. Both are plumbers that are highly rated and rec'd to me by people I trust. The Williamson quote is about $1000 higher although New Yorker seems to be higher rated on this website. I'm replacing a 45 yr old boiler that has a gas leak. Please let me know which you think is a better boiler - I know neither are "efficient" but I want to keep steam heat in this house. Which boiler is higher quality and will likely need to be serviced less? Which is simpler and perhaps easier to service? Any advice / recommendations appreciated. Neither gave me the BTU they're recommending but I can ask. What BTU do you think I need? Thanks

STEAM DOCTOR

Williamson. No brainer. Williamson is a Weil McLain in disguise.

STEAM DOCTOR

Gas leak? Why do you have to replace the boiler? Where is the gas leak? Only way to know what size boiler, is by determining the heat output of the radiators. If either of these contractors do not do that, do yourself a favor and show them the door. And not the inside of the door.

STEAM DOCTOR

All boilers need service. The Williamson will in all likelihood last a lot longer. I am not sure if you should be shopping for boilers. First thing you should be shopping for is heating contractors.

Steamhead

@redheadgenes , where are you located? We might know someone better………………

redheadgenes

Hi all thanks for your responses - I'm in Providence, Rhode Island.

redheadgenes

Steam Doctor - apparently there is a gas leak at the valve, according to the utility company, who shut off the gas and referred me to a plumber. How does a contractor determine the heat output of the radiators? One of these plumbers apparently worked a lot for the last owner (replaced a lot of the old plumbing) so may have already done this but I will check. Would a Williamson be more expensive than a New Yorker? Thanks!

redheadgenes

Also - according to two out of three plumbers the boiler should be replaced and I do know the previous owner had had to have it fixed quite a few times. Not serviced, but fixed. I was looking at a $800 repair, was advised by 2 plumbers and another contractor to have it replaced rather than fix it.

STEAM DOCTOR

Can't justify boiler replacement just because gas valve is leaking. That is crazy.

STEAM DOCTOR

Installer should know how to calculate radiator heat output. Would be sad if they didn't. Doesn't say much for their competency.

STEAM DOCTOR

In general, this website does not allow posting of particular pricing. So let's stear away from that.

STEAM DOCTOR

Any idea about the age of the current boiler? Can you post some pictures of the current boiler? From further back and different angles.

STEAM DOCTOR

Just saw. 45 years old.

STEAM DOCTOR

You have a bit of time. Shopping for the installer, is a lot more important than shopping for the boiler.

redheadgenes

just tried to post pictures - let me know if you see them?

redheadgenes

So many people think I should replace this boiler but I agree, the repair doesn't seem like a huge deal. at the same time, apparently there have been many issues with the boiler in the $1000 range and I should stop pouring money into it. if you don't see the pictures let me know and maybe i can send them to you another way. i really appreciate it. do you know anyone i should call in rhode island?

STEAM DOCTOR

No pictures posted

redheadgenes

KC_Jones

What is the most important here is the installer sizing the new boiler correctly, and piping the new boiler correctly. What you have there is far from correct piping and hopefully anyone quoting the job has told you that. If they haven't, I'd be concerned.

The best boiler in the world won't work correctly unless it's installed properly. The best boiler in the world won't work well unless it's sized properly. This is more about which contractor you select than the equipment. That said I'd stick with either Peerless, Weil Mclain or the rebranded Weil which is the Williamson you mention.

Again, and I can't stress this enough, sizing and proper installation are critical here.

It kind of looks like the system piping has been messed with based on the elevation of different pipes. That, or on the last boiler install they connected a bunch of stuff incorrectly. I'm having trouble following what you have.

EBEBRATT-Ed

The boiler is not piped right. If the size of the boiler is reasonably close to the rating of the attached radiation and the boiler is otherwise ok, you can have it repiped.

Most would not replace a boiler if it not leaking or rotting out.

Steamhead

That's a Dunkirk boiler re-branded as a Smith. Did they reduce the size of the steam pipe where it leaves the boiler?