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Combi boiler or separate hot water heater and boiler?

Southbubble
Southbubble Member Posts: 3
in THE MAIN WALL

Hi,

Our combination water heater/boiler of 14 years has died. Hoping for it to last a few more years as we're planning on adding new construction with solar panels and heat pump heating and cooling to the home within 3 years. Would it make more sense to get a new combi or a separate boiler and water heater so that we can use the water heater after the construction w/ new heating system is installed? Currently the home (ranch style) has hot water radiator heating on the main floor only. No AC. Plan is to finish basement and attic, install solar panels on roof, and heat/cool with heat pump. Specific plans not yet made. We live in the northeast (hot summers and cold winters).

Thank you!

Comments

  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 25,389

    Define northeast a bit more. Particularly "cold winters". For some folks in the northeast that means it gets down into single digits now and then. For, others minus 20 at night with a daytime peak of zero is warm.

    Makes a difference.

    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 17,001

    If your going to change everything in 3 years why not try and fix the existing boiler? When you say it died what is wrong with it. Fixing it will be cheaper than a temporary replacement.

    Not fond of combis, oversized for the heating load and not great for DHW.

    need more information to give a good recommendation

    Ironman
  • Ironman
    Ironman Member Posts: 7,633

    An Air to water heat pump will not supply any where near hot enough water for baseboards that have been sized for 180* SWT.

    You really need to get with a good hydronic designer before making the wrong choices for equipment.

    Bob Boan
    You can choose to do what you want, but you cannot choose the consequences.
  • Southbubble
    Southbubble Member Posts: 3
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1836209#Comment_1836209

    Boston area. Not as cold as it was 20 years ago. Single digits Dec through February but not consistently.

  • Southbubble
    Southbubble Member Posts: 3

    several plumbers told us it could not be fixed. Can't get the parts. It's a Burnham.

  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 24,106

    If an A2WHP is in your future, the type and size of heat emitters you have will make or break the design. You may still want or need a boiler to supplement occasionally.

    A basic boiler if it needs to be replaced.

    If PV is in the future maybe a HPWH. Check for incentives, link below, in your area. For the PV, high efficiency boiler and HPWH. Get 'em before they disappear!

    www.dsireusa.org

    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
  • LRCCBJ
    LRCCBJ Member Posts: 789
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1836306#Comment_1836306

    The honest translation of this statement is as follows:

    "I don't want to even be bothered with trying to get this old POS working again so I will tell them they need a new boiler".

    If the boiler is not leaking, it is highly unlikely that you need to condemn it due to "can't get parts".

    Did they specify exactly what parts "they can't get".

    Call all of them and ask them which parts are "unobtainable". Then, post their responses, precisely, on here.

    EBEBRATT-Edjringel
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 17,001

    Agree with @LRCCBJ

    No one wants to fix anything anymore they just want to sell new equipment. If the boiler mFG doesn't have parts after 14 years that is the way it goes with mod cons. Why buy another one?

    Whatever you save is used up in boiler replacements.

  • LRCCBJ
    LRCCBJ Member Posts: 789
    edited January 20
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1836341#Comment_1836341

    I might have misspoke. I reread the OP first post and he commented on "getting a new combi". So, I conclude that he currently has a combi. In that case, the relevant plumbers MIGHT be correct. 14 years is a long time for stocking combi parts AND is is a lifetime with regard to actually servicing it.

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