Burnham MPO vs. Buderus G215

Jonathan Steinberg

I am replacing a Well-Mclain boiler with a hole in the chamber and have been quoted prices for the Burnham MPO and Buderus G215. I've read a number of the posts that compare these products and am now thoroughly confused. From reading it seems that both are highly recommended and should perform sufficiently but the Buderus quote was significantly higher and I haven't read any convincing argument that would justify the additional expense. Neither quote included an outside temperature monitor which I have also had mixed recommendations for.

Can anyone offer additional insight?

John_82

from what I can see from the literature, the MPO is a closer design to the Buderus G115 boiler. The G215 boiler has what is called thermostream design, where the return water is brought in via a distrobution tube in the top nipple port and each section gets a metered amount of return water because the holes in the tube are sized according to the corrasponding section. Both the 115 & 215 are 3 pass boilers. Both have 3" of insulation aroung the block, no target wall, Beckett burners, swing doors; as does the Burnham. What sets the Buderus apart from the rest of the market is their iron. It is called GL-180M, it has a high silicone content, it is actually flexable. This means that the operating temp range is broader. It can handle cooler return water without cracking. This is very important when it comes to adding outdoor reset to the system. The Buderus can operate in a range that the others cannot. Also all the Buderus boilers have to pass the european DIN standard. They have to hold water pressure after being dry fired for an hour. So I'm sure the MPO is a good boiler, but the Buderus brings more to the table. Try checking out the G115 series Buderus boilers, you may find the pricing to be a little closer.

Constantin

Apples to Apples?

Are you sure you're getting a "fair" comparison?

First off, if your home needs a 215, its heat loss must be pretty large. You did perform a heat loss calculation, right?

Next, outdoor reset (OR) can come in many different forms, from Tekmar packages that can control either the Burnham or the Buderus to the more proprietary, like the Logomatic. If neither installer quoted you a outdoor package despite you asking for it, I would consider shopping some more installers.

Are the two boilers comparable? for me, it's a matter of degrees. Both are three-pass designs that use CI and have some mixing inside the block to make them more resistant to thermal shock and flue gas condensation. Both seem to have made many homeowners and installers happy. Of the differences that come to mind, the principal once would be the return temperatures, fuel choices, and firing capacities

• The G215 can handle lower return water temperatures than the MPO before pump logic kicks in and protects the boiler.
  
• The G215 can also handle multiple fuels, while the Burnham is only certified for use with oil.
  
• If memory serves me correctly, the MPO product range covers lower firing rates than the G215, making it a better match for many homes.