Which boiler brand, Burnham (X-204 105,000); ProForce (04E)

dbooky

My current Montgomery Wards boiler from 1981 is functioning, but a couple of the more distant radiators are not getting warm. Does not appear to be a bleeding issue. I have been informed there is not enough water in the system and the valve may be malfunctioning and the pump is bad. I have some older plumbing with combo of copper and galvanized in my 1889 home. I have 2 quotes one with a Burnham X-204 105.000 and a ProForce 04E. Can anyone provide a recommendations on these or other boiler brands?

Jamie Hall

Did either of your quotes bother to size the boiler properly? If this is hot water heat, which it sounds like, you must have the heat loss of the house to properly size the boiler — you can't just go by what's there. May or may not be what's needed.

More to the point, you have been informed of some problems with the system — which will be or should be relatively inexpensive to fix. None of them mean you need a new boiler, so why are you looking for one? What's the matter with the old one?

I might add that the combination of copper and galvanized piping — particularly the latter — is very problematic. I'd bet that that galvanized is pretty well plugged up with rust — and that may be part of your problem.

EBEBRATT-Ed

Is the boiler leaking? If not, you don't probably need a replacement yet.

Sounds like you have a heat problem not necessarily a boiler problem.

What if they install a new boiler and it doesn't fix the issue?

I would by anything but Burnham but the INSTALLER is more important than the boiler.

dbooky

Thank you so very much for your comments. Both plumbers did go around the house counting and measuring the radiators. They later did calculations and emailed the quote with boiler size etc. The current boiler is much larger. One plumber mentioned low water in the system and a valve that could be replaced requiring drainage of the system. They said if it could not be fixed the drainage of the system would need to occur again. The other plumber noted the pump was not coming on. I do not feel either was pushing to replace. The pipes feeding the boiler will be upgraded. I do have galvanized pipe on main water line. Was told increased water pressure. The boiler is not leaking. I thought since over 40 years old maybe better to replace then fix. Are magnetic filters recommended? This is an add on feature from one company. Thank you!

EBEBRATT-Ed

@dbooky

As the boiler is 40 years old you may want to replace it but I just wanted to be sure what the problem is and that a boiler replacement will fix your issue.

Sounds like you might have a couple of decent contractors if they did measure the radiation without any prodding.

Mag filters are a good idea.

dbooky

Thank you for your help.