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Help finding gas steam boiler with domestic coil

Aveeight
Aveeight Member Posts: 29
Hi all,

I need help trying to find a boiler that fits my needs and I am struggling to even tell if it exists. I am in the process of converting from oil to gas for a bunch of reasons. I currently have a Weil Mclain oil boiler, 114,000 BTU, with a domestic coil for hot water.

I would like to continue to use a similar boiler with a domestic coil to reduce the installation cost (so I don't have to buy and install another appliance). I realize this will be slightly less efficient at making hot water because it has to fire up all 100k+ BTUs, but I am willing to take that hit.

My question is, does a gas steam boiler with domestic coil exist? And if so, can you link me to any manufacturer? I can't definitively find one online anywhere. I had one HVAC company say they were sure it existed but I am still waiting on a quote. 2 other HVAC companies told me it would be too hard to find one so they recommend putting in a separate water heater (for an additional $1,000+). Hoping to avoid that. Thanks for any help!

Comments

  • SWEI
    SWEI Member Posts: 7,356
    What kind of shape is the existing boiler in? Converting it to a gas gun could be a viable option. If you do replace the boiler, it must be sized to the installed radiation and not just replaced like for like based on the nameplate ratings.

    Most of the major brands still offer tankless coil options.
  • Aveeight
    Aveeight Member Posts: 29
    The current boiler is 21 years old. The boiler itself is in fair condition, no leaks - but it looks its age now. The heat sensor on the current coil is having problems sensing the temperature correctly and 3 of the 6 (8?) bolts holding it in are corroded, one bolt head broke off trying to remove it. Much of the near boiler piping is corroded or poorly installed (lots of copper). My plan was always to replace it when I replaced the unit. The oil burner is in good shape...which isn't helpful.

    Interesting point on the proper sizing - can you elaborate? I am not familiar with that. Wouldn't the BTU output be the same? Or is it more how much steam the boiler generates (is that measured in cubic feet of steam?)?

    Can you give me any examples of a company that has a tankless coil on gas/steam? I am having trouble understanding if they offer it at all...maybe I am just failing at reading.
  • KC_Jones
    KC_Jones Member Posts: 5,722
    Weil Mclain EG offers it as an option
    http://www.weil-mclain.com/sites/default/files/field-file/eg-brochure_1.pdf
    Burnham offers it as an option
    https://file.ac/9IIdhbTJLLQ/Independence I&O.pdf

    Not sure who else might offer those are just 2 I know of. Where are you located we may be able to recommend a good steam contractor in your area? If the "pros" you are calling can't find this information out easily I would question their abilities or their motivation. These things aren't hard to find. I know from personal experience when you order the boiler from the supplier this is a standard question they will/should ask.
    2014 Weil Mclain EG-40
    EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Boiler Control
    Boiler pictures updated 2/21/15
    Charlie from wmass
  • Aveeight
    Aveeight Member Posts: 29
    I am just west of Philadelphia - any recommendations would be great! I certainly question their motivation - they all want to charge $1000 to install a separate water heater.
  • KC_Jones
    KC_Jones Member Posts: 5,722
    That's a tough spot for steam. There are a couple of really good guys in NJ, but not sure if they will or can cross the border to get to you?! @EzzyT @Dave0176 what say you? Know anyone outside Philly or do you travel that far?
    I feel your pain a bit, I am in south central PA and the contractors were lacking for steam. I ended up doing my own replacement. Best of luck to you, hopefully someone may chime in to help.
    2014 Weil Mclain EG-40
    EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Boiler Control
    Boiler pictures updated 2/21/15
  • EzzyT
    EzzyT Member Posts: 1,294
    @Aveeight send me a private message
    E-Travis Mechanical LLC
    Etravismechanical@gmail.com
    201-887-8856
  • EzzyT
    EzzyT Member Posts: 1,294
    As @KC_Jones mentioned Those are the only two manufactures I know of too that still offer that option. All manufacturers offer with a wet based boiler just would have to go with a gas burner.
    E-Travis Mechanical LLC
    Etravismechanical@gmail.com
    201-887-8856
  • STEAM DOCTOR
    STEAM DOCTOR Member Posts: 1,954
    Slantfin.
    SWEI
  • SWEI
    SWEI Member Posts: 7,356
    Do yourself a favor and order a copy of this now. While you're waiting for it to arrive, read this.
    KC_Jones
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,796
    Slant/Fin Intrepid with a coil and a Carlin EZ-Gas burner. Done and done.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
    Robert O'BrienSWEICharlie from wmass
  • HEATON
    HEATON Member Posts: 117
    Peerlis,Hydratherm,Utica,Dunkirk, etc also
  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 15,592
    edited July 2016
    Personally I'd pay the $1000 for a separate heater instead of keeping a boiler with a pitiful 1/2" of insulation hot all summer.

    You'll be paying to run that all summer every summer heating your basement, and perhaps entire house to an extent for a long long time. Not to mention you're going to be limited to 3 gallons per minute which is often terrible. For example, taking a shower and running a sink.

    Those are my feelings on the subject, and I paid more than that to install my own power vented 50 gal heater when I did my boiler in 2011. I feel it was money well spent.

    I'll never go back to a hot water coil in the boiler, ever.




    Single pipe quasi-vapor system. Typical operating pressure 0.14 - 0.43 oz. EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Control for Residential Steam boilers. Rectorseal Steamaster water treatment
    Charlie from wmasskcopp
  • JohnNY
    JohnNY Member Posts: 3,226
    edited October 2016
    Burnham offers it as an option
    https://file.ac/9IIdhbTJLLQ/Independence I&O.pdf

    @KC_Jones I'm pretty sure the tankless coil in the Burnham only works if you're using the boiler for a hot water heating system since the coil sits above the water line.
    Contact John "JohnNY" Cataneo, NYC Master Plumber, Lic 1784
    Consulting & Troubleshooting
    Heating in NYC or NJ.
    Classes