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Boilers

HP80_2
HP80_2 Member Posts: 5
in THE MAIN WALL
I have a customer that is looking for the best and I am unsure. Hopefully someone can help me with this.
Thank you!

Comments

  • PJB_3
    PJB_3 Member Posts: 3
    Bud

    BUDERUS is the Best:-)
  • HP80_2
    HP80_2 Member Posts: 5


    What do you think of Burnham Boilers?
  • HP80_2
    HP80_2 Member Posts: 5


    What do you think of Burhham boiler or Hydrotherm?
  • Doug Wagoner
    Doug Wagoner Member Posts: 78
    The best boiler

    is the one manfactured by a reputable manufacturer, sized, installed and maintained by a competent boiler specialist. This boiler will outlast the owners. And the installer's grand children will itch to have the oportunity to replace it. But they may not live long enough. Granddad took good care of his 'baby'.
  • JohnNY
    JohnNY Member Posts: 3,293
    I prefer Burnham

    I prefer Burnham.
    Of course, you should specify whether you're looking for a steam or hot water boiler. There are differences that should not be overlooked.

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    Heating in NYC or NJ.
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  • Starch
    Starch Member Posts: 102
    Burnham...

    ...makes a very fine product. I have installed countless Burnham boilers in my career, and have been very satisfied. They have good factory support, and their very own Glenn Stanton hangs out here at the Wall.

    Starch
  • PJB_3
    PJB_3 Member Posts: 3
    They stink.

    Viessmann comes in a close 2nd.

    There is hope for HTP & all the new condensers once they establish a time proven real world track record. Still like my PIG IRON. Just old fashoned I guesse.
    Those two that you mention stink though. Compared to the imports that is. Sad but true.
  • Radiant Wizard
    Radiant Wizard Member Posts: 159
    What is your Definition

    of best? The best efficiency. For starters you can take that AFUE rating that's on any piece of literature and throw it out the window. It's useless. Your question should be not what is the best boiler. It should be, "What is the best system I can install." The boiler is just one piece of that system. Don't believe me. Let's look at a car.

    We have 2 of the exact engines in the exact model car. You would think that both would have the exact efficiency as fars as miles per gallon go. But car 1 has much better suspension and tires (or system). Do they have the same efficiency as far as miles per gallon? Take them both on the highway and you will find that car 1 will be more efficient. The concept doesn't change when it comes to boilers. You have a combustion system (the burner) and you have a distribution system (the boiler, the heating distribution system). Now back to your question. What is the best boiler? In my opinion without a doubt the best boiler is not a pin-type (basically an American Boiler) it's a 3 pass boiler. Notice I didn't pick a Buderus over a Biasi or a Diedetrich over a Viessmann. Your budget, which type heating distribution system you choose, warranty and service will also influence your decision.

    Best of Luck



  • antman
    antman Member Posts: 182
    very good

    I would not say they stink. They have avery good track record. IF INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED PROPERLY, they will give you many years of life. Best boiler also depends on budget, what it is supplying, and size. Here is a Burnham(steam)I installed this weekend.

    hope this helps, Ant

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  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 17,387
    HP, we really need to know

    what the boiler will be connected to. There are many different boilers out there and one or another may be the best choice for a particular type of system.

    That said- I can tell you if you properly select, install and maintain a Burnham, Columbia, Peerless, Slant/Fin or Weil-McLain boiler, you will get many years of dependable service. These boilers generally have a good track record and have good people backing them up if something does go wrong. There are other good boilers out there, but these are the ones I'm most familiar with.

    But the most important thing is a good installation.

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  • Rod Hennon
    Rod Hennon Member Posts: 1
    Hytek Boiler

    Has anybody heard of a boiler named Hytek Boilers mfg. by Hydronic Technology, Inc. in Shrewsbury, MA.?
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    As far as I know

    HyTech is no longer in the boiler business in this country. They were basicly the PalomaPak boiler when they were here doing business. I believe that they stopped producing the boilers in the U.S. back in the early 90's. Hope this helps.

    Glenn Stanton

    Burnham Hydronics
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    That's right Starch!

    I enjoy every minute that I spend here on this sight and several others. A large part of my job as Manager of Training involves learning. I enjoy reading comments from all of the professionals that are here; contractors, engineers and folks such as Noel, Bill Wolfe, Mike Miller and others. That includes the good comments that are made regarding our products as well as the bad! If someone thinks that our products stink, then hey......they are certainly entitled to their own opinion.

    Prior to working for Burnham, I spent nearly 19 years of my life selling Burnham products to contractors as a wholesale outside salesman. This may sound slightly opinionated (because I work for Burnham) but I can honestly say that the support I received those 19 years from their sales, customer service and technical support people was second to none. The distributors I worked for were not exclusively Burnham either. I had the choice of selling several product lines, including every one of the previously mentioned products. Now that I work for Burnham, I want to give back some of that support. That's why I'm here providing support to those who need it. Thanks to all of you that use our products and continue to support us. You all mean a lot to us here at Burnham and we will continue to listen to your input, both good and bad. That's how we all learn!

    Glenn Stanton

    Manager of Training

    Burnham Hydronics
  • HP80
    HP80 Member Posts: 55


    Aren't they the parent company to Rheem/Ruud?
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Correct

    According to their web site, Paloma Industries is the parent company of Rheem. They limit their product line to water heaters and other cooking devices only. Not boilers. HyTech was utilizing the Paloma wall hung water heater technology and configuring it as a heating boiler. That product is no longer made.

    Glenn
  • HP80
    HP80 Member Posts: 55


    What are your thoughts on Rheem/Ruud will they go the same way?
  • Boilerpro_3
    Boilerpro_3 Member Posts: 1,231
    I would steer clear of Hydrotherm....

    I installed them for a while, but now that it is a few years down the road, problems are beginning to show up and the company won't back their products. Burners are failing, which many of the high quaility professionals on this site have also found. Quality appears poor and factory support seems to be the same. I have seen many older Hydrotherms just keep ticking, including the Hydropulse 90%, but the newer models seem to not do well. I'd pick from Burnham, Dunkirk, or Weil- McLain if you are looking for a good basic solid performer, especially when in rural areas where parts are harder to come by. If you want increased perfomance and/or comfort, add a quality control by tekmar. This combination is a high scorer with my clients.... Exceptional comfort, very low operating costs, and easy to maintain equipment.

    Boilerpro

    out in the rural Midwest.

  • Unknown
    Unknown
    I doubt it

    There is a very large new and replacement water heater market in this country. As far as I know, Paloma is a strong company and has been around for quite a while. Their wall hung instantaneous water heaters have been marketed for many years in this country. Just my opinion.

    Glenn
  • HP80
    HP80 Member Posts: 55


    What do you think about the rest of their HVAC equipment? Will it survive?
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Can't honestly say

    due to the fact that all of my time and efforts is concentrated on hydronics and not HVAC. Our people at Thermopride probably have a better handle on that one. Hope this helps.

    Glenn
  • HP80
    HP80 Member Posts: 55


    Thank you for your replies! I was about to give a customer pricing on a Burnaham Boiler and was told it wasn't the best option and this is why this whole question thing started. Do you have a clear and concise answer to this?
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    As I stated

    in a post higher up in this thread, My thoughts may sound a bit opinionated because I am Manager of Training for Burnham, but here they are anyway. My experiences with Burnham go way back to the 1970's, 80's and 90's while working as an outside salesman for wholesale distributor's. I always found their products to be dependable and their support to be second to none. Although I was able to sell a number of different brands, I primarily sold Burnham for these reasons. Having worked for the company for five years now, I can honestly say that the people at Burnham are some of the best in the industry. There are other companies out there that also produce fine products. Some are here to answer your questions and some are not. When gauging what may be good and what isn't with any product, I like to take into effect not only the quality, price, dependability and efficiency, but also the service and support! Hope this helps.

    Glenn Stanton

    Burnham Hydronics
  • Mark Hunt
    Mark Hunt Member Posts: 4,908
    THE VERY BEST BOILER IN THE WORLD IS.................


    the one that is installed by the VERY BEST heating company in your area.

    I have installed or serviced nearly every make you can think of. Most of the problems I have seen were caused by the person installing the equipment. Remember, it's a dumb piece of metal and it can perform only as well as the person installing it can.

    How about service AFTER the sale? Again, it's only metal and it can break. Which manufacturer will stand behind their product?

    Mark H

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  • HP80
    HP80 Member Posts: 55


    I am HP80 from the wall and after reading your reviews I have sold my first Bud boiler. You seemed to be well supported with your ideas and so confidant about your selection I felt very sure that you had alot of experience. I am a wholesaler in Southern Ontario, Canada and probably one of the first people to sell a Bud in a Viessman city (KItchener) but what the heck this week is Octoberfest and the machine you suggested is German how much of a better match could I ask for.

    Thank you again and I will keep you posted!
  • KAS
    KAS Member Posts: 1
    Hydronic Technology, Inc. of Massachusetts

    In 1988 we had two Hy-Tek Boilers installed and they have been wonderful.  They hang on the wall of our furnace room and are still working superbly.  They are incredibly energy efficient.  Friends have told us they tried to get the boiler that we had and couldn't find it.  My parents first purchased this boiler in 1985 and really liked it.  If we ever need to replace these, or someone else wants this type of boiler, where can one be purchased from.  Kathy
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