Buderus GB142 with fin tube efficency ?

Lee_3

Thanks for the help guys in dealing with gas HW boiler replacement and cotrol system questions. One of the exprienced pro's in my area has given me 2 great quotes for my 30 year old 1500 sq foot home in Southern NH using properly sized Energy Star rated boilers.

Both would have an indirect.

1) Buderus GB142
2) Peerless PSC II 86% ( no contol system)

I was reading the GB142 literature on line. It seems like its modulation range for fin tube is 180 -140 and makes it an 88% boiler which doesn't get into the condensing mode.
Is this correct? It seems that the built in outdoor reset system doesn't buy me much vs Logomatic controls for the non wall hung Buderus. I was hoping it could run much cooler on non design days.

I can replace about half my 30 year old windows for the price differnce between boilers which would reduce heat loss and save $$.

Mike T., Swampeast MO

Here's a link to an exceptional article on the topic originally provided by Brad White.

Note that the boiler they used was an condensing only (oil I believe). Not condensing/modulating. System spent most of the time in the condensing range--would be even more with natural gas as fuel and even better with a true condensing/modulating boiler.

Photo shows a restored 1903 window. Took me 3 years to restore all 51 in the house, but I'll say they compare favorably to replacements and will last another 100 years...

This was a real home with a "typical" amount of baseboard.

Also VERY important to note that with the exception of an experiment or two that they did not use daily setback. If the system is forced to recover from significant daily setback it will require much higher temperatures that won't be in the condensing range if you expect recovery in a reasonable length of time!

As they discovered, the key to getting the most from a condensing boiler with reset when driving fin baseboard is using a reset curve that's as low as possible. Also note that they found that a lower curve [should] have been adequate in this home, but the occupants found that one zone (believe it was the basement) seemed too cool.

A number of studies have shown that window replacement typically will not pay for itself during the expected life of the replacements. Unless they're ABSOLUTE disasters, get your current windows in good shape and install storm windows if you don't have them.

Most studies show single-glazed windows in reasonable condition with storms VERY similar in thermal performance to "standard" double-glazed--if fact usually a touch better.

It can take a lot of time to get old windows in good-as or better-than-new condition, but it's a rewarding job. Note the pile weatherstripping (the stuff usually used in storm windows and metal sliding doors) on the sash facing edge of the stop. Prevents binding and make painting MUCH easier.

Mark Hunt

I spoke with


a customer today that we installed a mod/con boiler for about 2 years ago. His house is all fin tube.

He realized a 35% reduction in the amount of therms used per heating degree day with the new set up.

He estimates that at the current fuel rate, the system will pay for itself in 8 years.

The point is it works.

The Buderus GB142 now comes with the AM-10 control which allows for outdoor reset.

I have MANY customers with mod/con boilers connected to fin tube systems. Every one of them has seen significant reductions in their fuel consumption.

Hope this helps.

Mark H

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