summer boiler shutdown

Dave T_4

I realize winter is coming but my question is related to shutting an oil-fired FHW boiler down for the summer. Can the system be drained down and 'parked' for the warmer months? It seems a waste of fuel to keep it hot all summer. My domestic hot water is completely separate from the boiler, so there are no issues there. Thanks.

Unknown

You mean...............

it has been firing all summer????????

mark_56

During the summer when the boiler is off condensation will form in the flue passages. Wet soot can be corrosive. I have been told that sulfuric acid can be created, which reduces boiler longevity.
Best bet would be to make domestic hot water with an indirect fired water heater off your oil fired boiler.

Mitch_6

Does not hurt

or cost that much to fire up the boiler once a week or so during the summer to keep things exercised.

Most modern controls for circulator pumps now incorporate this system of exercising.

Think of two cars one driven every day and one just sitting on blocks for a year or two. Which car will be in better shape.

Mechanical devises want to keep moving.

Mitch S.

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

Unknown

Good point Mitch...........

I just thought he was fireing-it on limit 24/7 all summer.

Unknown

A few questions

How old is the boiler ? Does the boiler have gaskets ?

I would definitely not recommend draining a water boiler annually for the warm months . You'll have to fill it up with fresh water again and again which might corrode the inside of the boiler . And it might dry out any gasket material .

Shutting the boiler down for months with water in it can cause gaskets to leak also . A good idea is to set the aquastat to the minimum - usually 120 or so . It'll keep the gaskets from leaking and keep the fire side of the boiler cleaner than having the boiler off all season .

Mitch_6

120 to low

I have seen some boilers with triple aqua stats that had always run on temp then had a different source of DHW added and the boiler had some issues when allowed to cool to room temp.

However running a boiler on 120F for the summer could be worse since you want to get it over 140F due to condensation issues.

Mitch S.

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

Dave T_4

The boiler is perhaps 25 years old and is a Peerless. I don't know the model #. I am uncertain about whether there are gaskets or not. What I do know is that it tripped off after heating season ended one year, which went unnoticed for a number of months until October. When the service guys came to clean it, they had quite a time cleaning it due to the wet soot/rust in the tubes.
Perhaps any $ saved by shutting down is not worth the trouble.