choosing which brand of boiler

Joe Brix

is a modulating/condensing boiler. All big name boiler makers have low and high efficency models. It's all about your contractor and the extra value you think you're gonna get out the extra cost for the high efficency equipment. A big house in a cold climate will see payback on that extra efficency sooner then a small home in a milder climate.

JANICE

BOILERS

WE ARE HAVING A NEW BOILER INSTALLED IN OUR HOME AND OUR CONTRACTOR SUGESTED PEERLESS OR BURNHAM. WE DON'T KNOW WHICH TO GO WITH, OR ARE THERE OTHER BRANDS THAT ARE BETTER AT A SIMILAR COST??? ALSO WE ARE ADDING BASEBOARDS IN TWO ROOMS. WHAT BRAND IS BEST FOR THEM?

THANKS FOR ANY HELP.

S Ebels

Janice

First, caps lock is considered shouting here.

I'll be the first to say a couple things and I'm sure others will add to my statements. Number one being, the brand you choose is not nearly important as the contractor who installs it. I have seen wonderful new equipment that is horribly inefficent and nothing more than scrap metal after a few years because of poor installation and control techniques. I have also seen equipment that is not top of the line functioning great and delivering acceptable efficiency because of a knowledgable installer's skill.

Your first choice is not the equipment but the installer.

Secondly, it would be foolhardy at this point to select anything but a boiler with the highest possible efficiency. If your installer says highefficiency equipment "doesn't work" with baseboard, find a different installer who knows what they are talking about. You really need to consider a condensing boiler that has a modulating burner and an integrated control package using some sort of water temperature reset. It's for your own good.

Joe Brix

Oil or gas

big difference.

JANICE

IT'S FOR NATURAL GAS.
THANKS, JANICE

Chuckles_4

Janice, even after S. Ebels pointed out that posting in all caps is like shouting, you are continuing to shout. This is considered rude not just here but everywhere in the net. On the left side of your keyboard you will see a Caps Lock key. Push it once more to release the lock.

To re-emphasize, you cannot buy a boiler by brand. I certainly understand that you want a simple answer, like "Buy a Sony, they're the best", but that is not how it works. Presumably you don't want to take the time to understand the technical issues, so you'll have to trust your contractor (although there are many incompetent contractors in this business). Or you can go with the lowest quote. Or you can follow the advice above and say "I want higher efficiency because gas costs are going up." (The models you've been quoted are probably basic, cheap models.) Whatever works for you, but don't worry about the brand.

JANICE

Very funny.....I am at work keying orders which *MUST* be keyed in all caps. Sorry if I offended anyone, but I am trying to write in between phone calls....

leo g_13

Janice,

if you can direct vent the boiler, I would be partial to the Burnham Revolution 2 in your circumstance. It is a unique take on condensing technology, by moving the condensing phase out of the heat exchanger and into the return water area. This allows for the use of basic material and readily available parts. The only draw back, is that the boiler does not have a modulating burner. So if you have a lot of zones, then probably a better way to go would be with a modulating/condensing (mod/con) boiler.

If however your home is 2 or 3 big zones, then I would give a big thumbs up to the Rev. 2.

Leo G

PS - try this addy

http://www.burnham.com/residential/revolutionII.cfm

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

[Deleted User]

Where geographically are you building

It is my/our experience that climate and geographic considerations will help to determine which venting configuration and, in turn, which appliance type will best meet your expectations.

JANICE

We are in northern Illinois on the Wisconsin border.

laurence salvatore

I've replaced a lot of cracked Burnhams. Never seen a Peerless crack wihtout human intervention

Bob W._4

Janice, if you are near McHenry, call Glenn Harrison at Jett's P&H in McHenry. Read the post about Aurora IL; he posted his number there.