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Which Boiler Should we Purchase to replace Munchkin

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JohnDG
JohnDG Member Posts: 1
in Radiant Heating
Hi Folks - hoping for some direction/help here. We live in Sonoma County, CA, so we do not get too many cold days. The coldest it gets in the winter is usually about 40 degrees.

We bought the house with radiant heat through the hardwood floors and have been struggling with the Munchkin boiler for some time. We are on propane and well water. This week we had another round of the boiler not working and the F09 error code. This time the heating company said that the boiler was damaged and the recommended replacement.

Our house is only about 1600 square feet and the propane bills have been crazy. Partly due to the amount of doors and windows, but still in the $600 a month rage in winter. Again, it never goes below freezing where we live.

Any recommendation on a boiler that we should look at or ones to stay away from? I am totally new at radiant heat and would love to get a few opinions on good quality options and ones to avoid.

Thanks a ton!
John

Comments

  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 27,376
    I would respectfully submit that boilers don't damage themselves. They get damaged -- by something. And, depending on the nature of the damage, it could be any number of somethings. So... before you even think about replacing the boiler, find a heating contractor (not just a plumber) who is willing and able to find out what the problem is.

    That said, the F09 error code is rather common -- and easy to fix, in most cases. Type "Munchkin F09" into the search box -- upper right corner -- to see a whole raft of threads on the subject.
    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
    kcoppJean-David Beyer
  • kcopp
    kcopp Member Posts: 4,682
    Most of us here have our favorites. (I like IBC)
    For you... you have to get a reliable installer who knows his fav inside and out AND will install it properly. The "best" will not work right if not piped in right.
    Furthermore the local supplyhouse needs to have repair parts in stock so that when the time comes you will not have to wait days to get them.
    j a_2
  • Gordy
    Gordy Member Posts: 9,546
    600 dollars a month is crazy high for 1600 sf with those kind of winter temps. Unless the house is all glass, and single pane....

    Can you post pics of the boiler, and its piping?
    ZmanJean-David Beyer
  • GW
    GW Member Posts: 5,184
    What are you paying for LP? That's a crazy heating bill for a regular sized home

    You'll be happiest of you buy a boiler from a good local contractor. The world is changing, heating systems aren't simple like the old days. If you become interested in one certain brand you'll probably easily find some guy to install it. But 3 years down the road I'll bet he won't come and work on it
    Gary Wilson
    Wilson Services, Inc
    Northampton, MA
    gary@wilsonph.com
  • JUGHNE
    JUGHNE Member Posts: 11,549
    For that much LP money you should have a heated pool in CA!
  • j a_2
    j a_2 Member Posts: 1,804
    kcopp said:

    Most of us here have our favorites. (I like IBC)
    For you... you have to get a reliable installer who knows his fav inside and out AND will install it properly. The "best" will not work right if not piped in right.
    Furthermore the local supplyhouse needs to have repair parts in stock so that when the time comes you will not have to wait days to get them.

    Totally agree with this post....You got an outdoor reset on existing boiler....?

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