Revolution or Spirit?

Nron_13

there are all types of baseboard come are convection and some are radiant and can have a better overall apeal, one product is called Rescom

Jim Franklin_2

Revolution or Spirit?

Keyspan is giving me a choice of these boilers with my new gas line. I've looked on Burnham's web site and have a pretty good grasp of each model but I'm looking for real life experience opinions for my house.

The house is a 1974 2 story ranch in MA with no chimney. 63,000 BTUH heat loss. I'm doing an electric -> FHW conversion with indirect DHW tank (likely something from Burnham unless there are reasons to go with something else?). As of now I'm doing all baseboard, 4 zones, but radiant in the basement is a very slight possibility. The boiler will be in a utility room where it's easy to drill through the foundation for direct venting.

Thanks..

jim

Saggs

I've put in a couple of the revolution boilers-4 sect w/ indirects. They are made very well and have performed w/out a hitch. I like the cast iron design plus they have a built in bypass system which allows for lower return temps w/out shocking the boiler. I don't know about the spirit but would definately go w/ the revolution.

Constantin

Burnham makes a great product

... and by every account people have been very happy with it, the company, and the people that support the product in the field.

Yet, I would also consider installing a fully condensing, modulating boiler like a GB142, Trinity, Prestige, Munchkin, Ultra, or Vitodens. You should be able to recoup the marginal cost of going with a condensing boiler in just a few years, considering that the price of gas is still accelerating. At the very least, ask what the marginal cost will be to go with a condensing boiler.

jerry scharf_3

watch the installation

Jim,

I hope this doesn't come across too harsh.

I think you're going about this in the wrong order. You've said that you are installing a brand new complete hot water heating system, but all you asked about was two relatively similar boilers. What is being proposed to put the heat into the rooms (emitters?) What is being proposed for controls? What about other types of boilers should be considered (condensing gas, oil?) These are much more important than boiler A or boiler B.

It's getting well into fall and you're just looking at doing it. Even though it may be a financial and comfort impact, I would recommend you do a bunch of research, start talking with contractors casually (expect them to be very slow getting back to you through the winter) and plan on doing the change after the heating season. The thought of a slam. bam complete install job by a random installer just before the heating season makes me queasy.

Personally, I would never let "the next available Keyspan installer" into my house. You might as well open the yellow pages, close your eyes and point. This is an conversion that will will be with the house for decades. Make sure the person installing it can deliver a reliable and efficient system that creates a comfortably heated house. Whatever keyspan might give in rebates can't be worth the risk of a botched job.

Get references, go and look at the prior work, ask questions and run the answers by here. You can look through the pictures that "some of the best in the trade" post here to get a sense of what you're looking at.

get educated, get a great contractor, and live comfortably ever after.

jerry

Jim Franklin_2

Thanks

Looks like the Revolution will better suit this job.

Jerry - I understand where you're coming from, and agree with your point of view, but I purposely left out lots of background info. I'm constrained to choosing between those two boilers which is why I kept the question direct.

jim