Need ideas re: boiler replacement

Ann_2

Hi,

Just bought a 1946 built 8-plex which currecntly has gas-fired boiler heat. (I think it was originally oil-fired, but not sure).

How do I know if it needs to be replaced ?(the locals are saying it does, but they are not exactly unbiased) What do I look for?

If it does need to be replaced, am I better off replacing it with another boiler or baseboard electric heat? Or what?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Ann

Wild Bill

There are many questions that still need

> Hi,

>

> Just bought a 1946 built 8-plex which

> currecntly has gas-fired boiler heat. (I think

> it was originally oil-fired, but not

> sure).

>

> How do I know if it needs to be

> replaced ?(the locals are saying it does, but

> they are not exactly unbiased) What do I look

> for?

>

> If it does need to be replaced, am I

> better off replacing it with another boiler or

> baseboard electric heat? Or what?

>

> Any help

> would be greatly appreciated.

>

> Ann

Wild Bill

There are many questions that still need

to be answered here, but I would stay away from electric heat.
Is the system steam or hot water? If it is steam my concern would be how "tight" the system is. If the boiler has needed alot of makeup water over the years, the cast iron sections might not have much life left to them. Fresh water equals oxygen, oxygen has a ravenous appetite for cast iron!!!
Is the system forced hot water, if so I am certain you can pick up significant savings on fuel efficiency. Control
technology for hot water systems has improved dramatically over the years.

Weezbo

Get a second opinion.....

however,lets think about it a momment,1946 this is like in a different mellineum maybe...it was changed to gas due to the cheapness of nat gas in your area...now how long ago that mighta been?..who knows ..right? well,i think you probably got your moneys worth outta the system...now heres a thoughtthe Pipes in the system if they are Black or have been painted numerous times yet are heavy iron..are beginning to weep or leak here n there perhaps long runs of copper have replaced some of the lines...the heat emmitters are like radiators right? can people Hear Water running in the pipes? we call this stuff "The Field" the boiler room is different deal...wires frayed pull switches?rust dust water marks permanently enscribed in the floor?no lights or bad lighting ?electrical boxes that have what look like octupus hanging off of them reaching out to big red pumps? dead pump bodies and motors laying around? if so,it is indeed time to go for a proposal from a local heating contractor or mechanical contractor....if you look around and everything is neat and tidy in the boiler room,floors painted walls clean ,plenty of light,then take a look on the boiler&or boilers and get the last date it was inspected by the burg in which you live...and who last serviced it and when..then call them up and ask them.they been in business awhile and can tell you the truth ina heartbeat..

Ken D.

Boiler

Please have system evaluated by a reputable professional to determine best course of action. As far as makes of boilers, I like Burnham, Utica, Weil-Mclain, Peerless and Slant fin for cast iron and New Yorker and Columbia for steel. Gas is fine, but if you switch to oil, use one of the mentioned boilers with either a Carlin or Beckett burner.Good Luck.