oil fired Weil -Mclain or Buderus fhw or or Burnham Mega Steam?

pooka · August 2011

My two pipe cast iron steam radiators can be used for a new fhw system with an outdoor reset control and a new Weil-Mclain UO-3 or Buderus G115WS/3 oil fired boiler. Or I can opt for a Burnham Megasteam. I want the most savings I can get on oil. I have 1900 sq. ft. to heat 400 of which is a first floor apartment with fhw baseboards off the steam boiler. I have heated successfully with steam for 30 years, but with the surge in oil prices and the inefficiency (60-65%) of my Timkin boiler, I have to upgrade.

There is no NGas here. After researching it seems as though with a modcon LP fired wall hung boiler I could face higher fuel and maintenance costs and might not find the right technical help in my area.

If I switch to fhw there are more up front costs to change 3 radiators to two pipe and to fix potentially leaking pipes and wall damage. If I thought the savings would be significantly greater over time to switch to fhw I would do it, even though the cost would be greater up front.

What questions should I be asking to make the right choice? Can someone steer me in the right direction?

Pooka

lchmb · August 2011

personally

I would stick with steam and FHW for the apt and look at the megasteam. You need to have someone come and size the boiler properly and of course check at insulation, vents and general condition of things. You want to make sure all piping is done to manufacturer specs and with Black iron. But I love steam (grew up with it) so I kind of lead that way. Did you check the "find a contractor" at the top of the page?

Steamhead · August 2011

Agreed

do NOT try to convert the system to hot-water, unless you like living dangerously. The MegaSteam is the best residential steamer, hands down, and if a separate FHW zone is needed you can hook it right up.

oil fired Weil -Mclain or Buderus fhw or or Burnham Mega Steam?

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