Can a Buderus system really save me 50%?

mt_2

Hello-

I'm thinking of replacing my 50+ year old furnace/boiler with a Buderus system (logamatic control R2107, G115 boiler, hot water tank). We heat our house with cast iron baseboard radiators. The sales literature indicated that this would typically save 50% on my oil bill. Is that realistic?

Thanks.
Michael

Weezbo

more than likely what would Save you even more is,

the same amount of money on more insulation in the roof ,some triple pane windows,and a healthy application of sweat equity./ many a older boiler is gobbling the fuel oil through the burner. so yes, it might be a fairly close appraisal. i dont go in for that idea of marketing particularily,slowing heat loss out of the structure and infiltration is the first aspect of rennovation ...then maybe adaquate make up air to the boiler and a burner to more closely match the load. having a buderas isnt like some sorta magic wand.

TGO_54

It depends

I have installed the system you listed and have seen savings in excess of 50%. I have also seen 20% - it all depends on the system you are replacing. Your heating contractor should be able to give you an idea of the saving but it won't be an exact number - too many variables.

To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"

Dan_15

Savings

Buderus offers equipment that stands apart because of it's design and quality of materials used in construction. The optional Buderus Logamatic Control is an outdoor reset control that will modulate the heating system water temperature based on the outside temperature. This equipment can ASSIST in offering, sometimes, large savings. As mentioned in earlier post issues such as insulation, windows, etc.. should be considered.


Another important feature is heating system design and installation. The system needs to deliver the boiler Btu's in a comfortable, efficient manner. Choice of a heating contractor is as important as equipment choice.Consult with a couple of different heating contractors, check references and communicate with them. Use the "Find a Professional" on this site to help locate contractors. If there are any questions on Buderus equipment, please contact us at 1-800-283-3787.

dconnors

I hate to pick but........

Weezbo
Can you please spell our name correctly. ha

.

short summary of the above post

> Buderus offers equipment that stands apart

> because of it's design and quality of materials

> used in construction. The optional Buderus

> Logamatic Control is an outdoor reset control

> that will modulate the heating system water

> temperature based on the outside temperature.

> This equipment can ASSIST in offering, sometimes,

> large savings. As mentioned in earlier post

> issues such as insulation, windows, etc.. should

> be considered.

>

> Another important feature is

> heating system design and installation. The

> system needs to deliver the boiler Btu's in a

> comfortable, efficient manner. Choice of a

> heating contractor is as important as equipment

> choice.Consult with a couple of different heating

> contractors, check references and communicate

> with them. Use the "Find a Professional" on this

> site to help locate contractors. If there are any

> questions on Buderus equipment, please contact us

> at 1-800-283-3787.


In other words, no, it will not save you 50%.

Constantin

Savings potential...

... Like many things in life, I think the whole question depends on how inefficient the current system is. As some folks have discovered, their old heating systems weren't half-bad, once they were tuned up to perform properly. One steam owner cut his bills by 80% just by getting the vents, pipe pitch, and system pressure right (Mad Dog, was that your customer?).

Anyway, such savings are sometimes possible with modern boilers, control systems, and intelligent distribution strategies working together to maximize the potential efficiency of the boiler. For example, a constant circulation system will allow you to lower the water temperatures to the minimum possible, yet remain comfortable. Adding outdoor reset to such a system (via the Logomatic) can further help control the temperatures of the system supply, yet keep you and your family comfortable, no matter what the temperature outside.

For me, the real question is how efficient your old system really is. Converted coal systems typically have very bad efficiency numbers, while the higher end appliances of the day probably do not compare all that badly with present-day boilers. Some may even reach the 80% AFUE ratings that are todays minimum standard. Saving 50% over an already-efficient boiler is going to be challenging...

So, I would do a combustion test on the old boiler and see where it stands. The lower the flue temperature, the better its efficiency... Plus, I would look into insulating and weatherizing the house as best possible, because the payback is usually greatest there. You can get a good idea about how well your house is doing based on the Energystar web site, where 15 minutesof input can repay themselves handsomely. Plus, they will help you find professionals to do blower door tests, etc. at subsidized rates.

Once you know what the options and potential payoffs are, you can make a decision that will cost-effectively maximize your comfort...

zeke

To get an idea of what you may be saving, get the cost of oil for the past year, your average cost per gallon and the square footage of your house. And ask your oil company what the number of "degree days" you had over that time.
Post that info and you can get a real idea of the potential savings.

Dale

No it won't

If you have a hot water system with a boiler installed in 1955 and you add an IO reset, with constant circulation, Have the heat exchanger surfaces cleaned of all soot (every year) and install a modern effecient professionally set up oil burner you will not be as effecient as a new B or any other brand but you will be much closer than 50%. Probably 10 to 15%.

Ron Schroeder_4

The real summary is "Maybe".

Ron

Dan_15

Moocow, if you look at my post, the word assist is in capital letters. This was to point out that there are other factors that may need to be done to help with savings. I will agree that a savings of 50% is not the normal results by just installing a Buderus system. We usually state around a 20% to 25% percent fuel savings per year with the Buderus R2107 outdoor reset control. About a 5% savings with the Buderus Boiler because of the design and 3" of insulation around the block.
Thanks,

D Logan Ireland Oil Co Inc