HELP_I have a 50yrStandardBoiler_ChamberTiles_crumbling_Advice?

John Mills_3

There are 2 measures of efficiency. What you would be referring to on your relic is combustion efficiency. When fully warmed and operating at peak, you are getting 75% of the heat out of the fuel used.

What affects your wallet is ANNUAL efficiency. On a 50 year old boiler, that could be 50-60% meaning that 40-50% of the heat you pay for ends up going up the chimney. Annual efficiency looks at how inefficient the boiler is the first 10+ minutes of a burn cycle until everything is fully warm and how much heat is lost up the flue when not burning. Other things too but these are the primary losses that your 75% figure doesn't account for.

Today's oil boilers run 80-85% efficient so savings potential vs your oldie is considerable.

I would get it looked at immediately!!! I wouldn't put any money into the old one. Whether to change fuels would be your decision. In our area, rare to use oil but in your area, very common and may be cheaper heat.

gisella

My Home Standard boiler 50 yrs, has chamber problem/need advice

The other day my oil man looked into the chamber and informed me it was loosing tiles and that it could all callapse causing a huge explosion in my house. He wants to replace the chamber for $4,000 or more he said? Its an oil burner for three zones and runs at 75% efficiency. Should i convert to gas heat at this time? Should i replace chamber? And most importantly is it safe to be running it now?
Isnt there an automatic sensor switch that shuts this unit down if it caves in????
Please help me i'm a swedish lady puzzled in long island.
Thanks Gisella

Weezbo

it seems somewhat different ......

A second opinion may be in order...having someone who installs Riello burners to retro fit your boiler with a new burner would be a good tact to take.

helpingothershelpthemselves_2

chamber

How much was the quote to replace the chamber ?
I fully agree with Weezbo that it is time for another opinion !
Where on this beautiful Isle Of Long are you ? Nassau or Suffolk ?

Constantin

Here is some things I'd do:

First, use "Find a Professional" to get a second opinion.

If the boiler needs a new chamber, it's definitely worth it to get a new boiler instead. There are a number of great choices out there, with newer boilers offering superior control strategies and much lower standby losses.

Whether you make a change to gas depends a bit on the type of heating system you have. If you have steam heat, I would stick to oil for sure. Gas heat traditionally has been 40% more expensive in the NE than oil. However, with the recent run-up in oil prices, the price between the two fuels in our area is about the same now.

Last year, I put in oil heat into the new house since I believe that all the electrical generation capacity that has been built in the NE to cover our energy demands is going to stretch the gas transmission capacity to the limit. Plus, I like the ability to chose among suppliers, something that natural gas does not allow me to do.

Besides the whole monopoly issue, I suggest a quick look how gas prices are calculated. I am amazed that 2/3 of my ($1.5/therm!) gas bill is just for transmission (i.e. not variable) while the rest is for the actual fuel. Thus, there seems to be little chance for gas to get less expensive up here in Boston in the long term, as "transmission charges" simply don't go down, they only go up.

If you still want to go with gas, insist on a modulating, condensing boiler which will save you a lot of money over a non-condensing one. However, I would seriously consider sticking with oil. IMHO, good oil brands include (in alphabetical order) Biasi, Buderus, Burnham, Crown, System 2000, Viessmann, among others.

However, the most important variable in any heating system is the professional who installs and maintains it. No other variable better determines the longevity, reliability, etc. of the system, and the level of your comfort. I would focus less on a brand and more on finding the right person, then asking for a range of options.

Firedragon_4

$4,000 is a lot of

money for a chamber, get a second opinion, FACT! Are you sure he's not replacing the whole boiler???

Weezbo

Well, a new riello, seet up correctly would recoup some

dough This winter , and the F-5 could be used on a much different type of boiler in the future..plus anyone who sets it up correctly takes certain measurements and makes very experiential value judgements in what range of minimalism can be applied safetly.my thought slightly twisted ,continues thus,....with a new riello and the recommendation of a newer appliance perhaps at a time when it more suits the schedule.......i hope my line of thought isnt comming across as purposely vauge all the time.

Jim Burke comfort zone

new chamber

4000.00 dollars for a new chamber is absured you could easily use that money on a new system.
First thing i would do is contact a real professional to check the existing boiler.
If you have a real problem with the chamber depending on the boiler i would think about a new system oil or gas.
If the old boiler is a wet base cast iron again depending on the shape of the system i might have a new tub chamber installed.
But by all means don't pay 4000.00 for a chamber!!!
If you have a steel dry base boiler i would replace the boiler with cast iron boiler w/ riello burner.
I think you must be mistaken about the price .


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Steamhead

Gisella

The chamber of an oil-fired boiler is usually very easy to replace. Certainly not $4,000.00 worth. Most of those on this thread have changed many chambers in their time, that's how we know this.

What I'd want to know is what the actual model of the boiler is, what burner is in it, is it steam or hot-water, how much radiation does the system have etc. As Frank Gerety wrote "Not all older boilers are over the hill".

If the boiler is in generally bad shape, or horribly inefficient, a new one would of course be a wise investment. But if the boiler is in good shape, a new chamber (and a high-efficiency burner if you don't already have one) might be cost-effective at this point.

Post some pics here if you can, especially if there's something you're not sure of. And try the Find a Professional page of this site to locate a reliable contractor near you. I'll put in a plug here for one I know personally- Matt "Mad Dog" Sweeney, of Triple Crown P&H in Floral Park.

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oil-2-4-6-gas

whats your address

i'll do the chamber for $3,000 including travel(anywhere in the US on any residential boiler)--a new boiler,related piping etc. is not far from the quote for your chamber--and would more than likely be 30% more efficient--minimum//find a Pro and get a second opinion