Steam boiler needs replacing?

kaskarn

Howdy all, we purchased a house a couple years back (Northern NJ) and are starting to learn more about the joys of homeownership.

The Peerless 100k BTU steam boiler that heats up our 2.2k sq-ft house was installed in 2014 (the radiators + pipes are much older). From the state of the heat exchanger, the previous owners were proper goofs and probably never maintained or paid attention to it.

I've attached two pictures that show the heat exchanger last year, and as of yesterday. The maintenance guys (Gold Medal Service) told us the unit was shot, probably had a leak somewhere (which they couldn't find) and needed replacing asap. I'm not a plumber and generally don't know things good, but I am inclined to agree based on the pictures they took; however, it still seems to run OK at this time (radiators get hot, nothing is exploding or leaking).

I thought I'd ask whether people agree this is an emergency, before blowing 15k$ on a new boiler + servicing (we'll be getting other estimates because that sounds outrageous?)

Cheers

Jamie Hall

Doesn't look that bad. The question is — does it use water when it is running? That's really the only sure diagnosis. A good steam system shouldn't use more than a gallon of water a week — and perhaps much much less.

So — fire it up and see how much water it uses.

And learn all you can about steam heat — our leader here on The Wall wrote a neat little book "We Got Steam Heat" available from the site store — highly recommended.

EzzyT

@kaskarn that doesn’t look good at all could require replacing.

Where in northern NJ are you located?

I would be willing to come out to your house to provide you an analysis on the boiler along with a system analysis.
I can be reached at 2018878856

kaskarn

And learn all you can about steam heat — our leader here on The Wall wrote a neat little book "We Got Steam Heat" available from the site store — highly recommended.

Thanks @Jamie Hall I ordered the book, exactly the resource I was looking for!

I would be willing to come out to your house to provide you an analysis on the boiler along with a system analysis.

I can be reached at 2018878856

Thanks @EzzyT I'll shoot you a text! We're in Ramsey, so no worries if it's too far a hike for you

EzzyT

ok, I service the Ramsey area. I’m in Bergen country too.

pecmsg

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/198135/steam-boiler-needs-replacing

take @EzzyT’s offer

You won’t find anyone better!

ethicalpaul

a peerless lasting 10 years…it must have really been losing a lot of water/steam out the radiators or somewhere

Steamhead

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1814030#Comment_1814030

Agreed. When @EzzyT gets there he will want to look for buried returns (which are almost always leaking), leaking vents, loose packing nuts etc.