boiler purchase help

steve_107

I have my mind set on either a buderus GB, munchkin or trinity. the system will be mostly panel rads with TRV's and a bit of radiant in non-carpeted areas. Can't decide which boiler!!!!! I really like the Buderus, but am concerned about the aluminum heat exchanger. Am I worrying too much? On the other, I like the aluminum for it's heat transfer qualities. I'm just too darn wishy-washy!!!! What would you guys do???

Al Letellier_9

which boiler

I don't do a lot of gas boilers here in So. Maine, but I do know a quality line of equipment, support and technical knowledge when I see it and I cast my vote for Buderus. They build some of the best equipment money can buy.

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Rick of N&S Supply of Catskill

Buderus

All the way! Best boiler, best customer service, best technical support. You can't go wrong

Constantin

It depends on your local conditions...

... for example, a friend of mine in ME needs a new boiler and I'd never steer her towards an Aluminum block due to the quality of the water in their area.

IMO, the Aluminum block in the WM Ultra and the Buderus GB142 would only be fine if her system was cleaned with Pro-Tek, filled with "good" water, protected with 922, and if any mass loss could be avoided. Currently, her PEX pipes are brown with iron-sulphate deposits and other delicious stuff from the local well... Thus, while I will recommend they clean and protect their system, I would only steer them towards a a boiler with a stainless heat exchanger since mass loss may not be avoidable.

Also, I wouldn't let the material of the HX sway you on the basis of efficiency, as the stainless HX's found in the HTP and Trinity are engineered to be everything as efficient as the cast aluminum block found in the GB142.

And, while Buderus apparently deserves its stellar reputation, my reading here indicates that the two other manufacturers also have good reputations regarding customer support. Chuck Shaw and other employees from HTP regularly post here, Joe @ Buderus is a frequent contributor, but I can't recall a single official post from an NTI employee here.

BTW, have you had a proper heat loss done? I would choose on the basis of finding which boiler has a maximum output closest to the maximum heat loss of your building to reap the benefits of modulation. Oversizing a modulating boiler isn't as sinful as oversizing a regular CI boiler, but why do it at all if its not necessary?

I firmly believe that the quality of the installer and the maintenance efforts are what will determine the quality of service you'll receive from your condensing boiler. If your installer is very familiar with any of these three brands, then I'd select the one he/she's most familiar with.