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Looking for Advice on new boiler system

mdk0420
mdk0420 Member Posts: 7
Hello all. New to the forums. I've been researching boilers for the last couple of months. I had some gas lines ran to the home to switch from oil heat to gas heat. I have to make a decision this year or I have to pay for the credit UGI gave me for the line install.

I've been looking at all sorts of boiler types, and I am having a hard time making up my mind on some things... I definitely want a direct vent. By the time I get a chimney vent with the lining of the chimney, it'll cost about the same or even more then just getting a high efficiency boiler.

I was researching condensing combo boilers but I don't like the idea of how I have to drain out the condensation, and being in the basement I would need a pump to pump it up and out. Then I have to worry about the drain pipe freezing. My least likely option, but the prices are cheap and I could sell my hot water heater to get back even more of my money.

Are there non condensing combo boilers? I found a NRCB180DV 180,000 BTU Combi Boiler and no where in the description does it mention being a condensing boiler. But it looks small compared to a heat only boiler. Are they a good option? I would hope that I could take a shower and not experience cold water if the heating system had to kick on lol.

The other option is just getting a heat only HE gas boiler. I had there boilers I was looking at:

PVG3, 52,000 BTU Output High Efficiency Cast Iron Boiler
GV90+3 56,000 BTU Output High Efficiency Gas Boiler
GV90+4 84,000 BTU High Efficiency Gas Boiler

I really don't think I would need 84k BTUs with the Well Mclain. I live in one of my units of a multi unit home, and this apartment is only around 650-700 SQ FT minus the basement. I think 52-56k would be enough for such a small home. The current system is 120k but it used to supply more units before I cut those lines off.

I really like the idea of a combo boiler that doesn't condensate. But again, not sure if the one I posted condensates or not, if it doesn't then I think I might go with that one. But with domestic hot water heating, how many BTUs should you have to be able to take a shower while the boiler also heats your heating water? I thought 180k would be more then enough but I saw some reviews about combo boilers not being good for more then 1 hot water line at a time. Suggestions? Thanks!

Comments

  • ratio
    ratio Member Posts: 3,615
    The best boiler to install is the one the installer has the most experience with & has ready access to repair parts.

    Has a heat loss been done yet? You can do a quick reality check with the Slant/Fin app, but at 35 BTU/ft2, which is A LOT, you're looking at around 25k BTUh.

    You really should take the time to do the legwork ahead of the install. Reading reviews is important, but if you have properly sized equipment installed by a competent contractor, you'll be miles ahead in efficiency, reliability, and satisfaction.

  • HVACNUT
    HVACNUT Member Posts: 5,804
    edited April 2018
    700 sq ft @ 52K BTU's is more than 74 BTU per sq ft. You don't need nearly the much. You might need less than 20 per depending on the heat loss calc. Your only going to get those numbers with a mod con and a high turn down ratio.

    How many rooms? Open floor plan? Have you looked into ductless systems and a hybrid water heater?
  • mdk0420
    mdk0420 Member Posts: 7
    Haven't don't a heat loss calc. I'm doing the install. I don't have the equipment to do a heat loss calc though. Couldn't really find anything that was smaller then what I posted. It seems like all the gas boilers are right around 50k-120k BTUs. I figured it was over kill for such a small apartment. But the 120k unit used to run for 2 units. The upstairs unit is probably around 1000 sq ft or so. Seemed like a lot but that's what was installed back probably 30 years ago lol.
  • ratio
    ratio Member Posts: 3,615
    All you need with the Slant/Fin app is a phone and a tape measurer. Talk to your supplier & see what kind of spare parts he has on the shelf. Spares on hand, big turndown (minimum firing rate), small size is what i'd look for, in that order.

    Do the heat loss so you know what you're up against. There're lots of good people here who can help you overcome the problems that crop up running an over-sized boiler, which you are most certainly going to have, but it's so much easier & cheaper to work around it now as opposed to later.

  • Rich_49
    Rich_49 Member Posts: 2,766
    You didn't get what you didn't pay for and it will never be what you thought it would .
    Langans Plumbing & Heating LLC
    732-751-1560
    Serving most of New Jersey, Eastern Pa .
    Consultation, Design & Installation anywhere
    Rich McGrath 732-581-3833
  • bob eck
    bob eck Member Posts: 930
    UGI in some of their areas have rebates of $1800 combi boiler and $1500 condensing boiler only.
    I believe you can run boiler condensate into sewer if you are using an neutralizer before going into sewer. Check local code.
    Where are you located at.
  • mdk0420
    mdk0420 Member Posts: 7
    Pennsylvania. I'll give UGI a call about that. I already have a credit from them for doing the gas line. Wonder if they would stack that up. I was doing some research and it looked like all high efficiency boilers are condensing boilers. Is this true? It didn't look like some of the boilers were condensing yet they had an AFUE of 92% or higher, and could be vented with PVC. Like the Well Mclain boiler doens't mention anything about condensing.

    I did the heat loss calculation and it only says I need about 9k BTUs... that sounds a bit far fetched to be honest. My AC is a 12k unit and cannot keep more then the bedroom and partially the living room cool. It starts to fade away and pretty much none existent in the kitchen. I do feel as though even 50k BTUs would be a bit much for such a small unit considering my other home is about twice the sq ft and has a 50k BTU forced air heater that works beautifully to keep the home warm. What furnaces are out there that would fit my needs? I just can't find such low BTU heating systems lol
  • ratio
    ratio Member Posts: 3,615
    9k isn't outside the realm of possibilities; and heating and cooling loads are not necessary the same. Also, the consensus is that the Slant/Fin app runs a little on the strong side.

    That said, oversized equipment is something that happens very frequently, but it needs to be though about during the planning stages (i.e. right now) rather than as an afterthought when things just don't work right. Start a new thread in Radiant Heating titled something like "help with boiler piping for 9k total heat loss". Give details on what you're planning on doing, then ask them to point out all your mistakes. :)

  • mdk0420
    mdk0420 Member Posts: 7
    I'm trying to keep the same setup I have now. It already has everything setup from the current boiler system. The new parts to the boiler would be determined if a high efficiency boiler doesn't have to be a condensing unit. It's nice knowing I can get pretty much the smallest unit to give me the heat I need, but I still want a high efficiency unit. Just hoping it doesn't have to be condensing so I don't need to run a pump to drain the water out.
  • the_donut
    the_donut Member Posts: 374
    If you are good with your cardinal directions, http://www.loadcalc.net works fine as a sanity check.
  • flat_twin
    flat_twin Member Posts: 350
    Sounds like you've been reading early modcon horror stories. Don't get hung up on whether or not it's a condensing boiler. Condensate pumps are inexpensive. Freezing condensate lines don't happen when you neutralize the condensate and route them to a waste pipe. The ones that are incorrectly piped outside have the potential to freeze and shut down the boiler.
    The type and amount of baseboard emitters or radiators vs your heat loss will determine whether or not your boiler will even operate in a range that takes advantage of condensing. So what kind of emitters do you have?
  • mdk0420
    mdk0420 Member Posts: 7
    3/4" copper/aluminum radiator piping. Not sure the total length. I have 5 radiators total. One in the bedroom, 2 in the kitchen/dining area, 1 in the bathroom, and 1 in the living room. Bedroom is fairly long as it wraps around the room probably arounnd 15 feet, living room one is pretty small, maybe about 10 feet, bathroom is about 10 feet, one in the dinning room is about 10 feet and the other one in the dinning room is more like 5 feet. So if I gave a rough estimate I would say about 50 feet plus the return comes from the bathroom so it'll run about the length of the house back (Around 25-30 feet)
  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 23,168
    Thermodynamics 101 -- if the efficiency is over 85%, it's condensing, and it is so well matched to the load and the controls and pumping and all are installed and adjusted so that it really is condensing most of the time.
    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
  • mdk0420
    mdk0420 Member Posts: 7
    So whats the benefits with a big iron boiler vs one of the much cheaper wall/floor boilers that look like the size of my portable AC? Just better quality build? I'm still not sure which type of boiler I should be after. Some of the Combi boilers look pretty nice. I could remove my water heater then and save some space. And they seem to be a lot cheaper then any of the high efficiency boilers.
  • NY_Rob
    NY_Rob Member Posts: 1,370
    The traditional Cast Iron boilers in theory (if their materials quality is up to par with the same units from years ago) will outlast the less expensive/smaller wall hung mod-con boilers by a margin of 2:1, 3:1 or even greater. Some people have cast iron boilers running 50+ years with very little problems. Mod cons are projected to last up to 10yrs or so if maintained properly.

    The tradeoff is cast iron boilers are less efficient compared to a properly sized and installed mod-con- so you pay more in annual fuel costs vs. a mod-con.
    Mod-cons require annual maintenance which can quickly add over time. Cast iron boilers require maintenance as well, but it's less expensive (less time consuming) than the mod-con annual service.

    Probably most important- you can not just shoehorn a mod-con into every existing home/situation where there is a cast iron boiler in place. There are requirements that need to be met to ensure comfort, efficiency and long boiler life for the mod-con.
    A trained professional would look at your heatloss, your radiation and gas usage, etc... and would be able to accurately advise you on your options regarding a cast iron boiler or mod-con.
  • SuperTech
    SuperTech Member Posts: 2,139
    edited May 2018
    NY Rob is correct. One more thing to consider is the service factor. Mod con boilers contain many model specific parts and will require much more service and repair over their lifespan.
    Cast iron boilers are more reliable and when they do require repair they can usually be easiky repaired with universal parts. If a mod con breaks down on a Friday night and part's need to be ordered you are screwed. Buy a boiler that can be easily serviced and repaired by your heating company
    NY_Rob
  • NY_Rob
    NY_Rob Member Posts: 1,370
    SuperTech said:


    Cast iron boilers are more reliable and when they do require repair they can usually be easily repaired with universal parts. If a mod con breaks down on a Friday night and part's need to be ordered you are screwed. Buy a boiler that can be easily serviced and repaired by your heating company

    100% agreed!
    That's actually huge... but you can mitigate the impact of the boiler being down if you're determined.
    1) Carry your own selection of common spares at your house.
    2) Have a backup heating option- like a minisplit that also provides heat.

    But most vital is....
    SuperTech said:


    Buy a boiler that can be easily serviced and repaired by your heating company


    SuperTech
  • mdk0420
    mdk0420 Member Posts: 7
    I called UGI about rebates, and they said that if the boiler is 94% efficient that they reimburse $1500 for a standard boiler and $1800 for a combi. I can't seem to find any decent boilers that are 94%+ efficient. I did find some combi boilers that are pretty efficient though. Anyone know where to look for boilers? I've mostly been looking around on supplyhouse
  • bob eck
    bob eck Member Posts: 930
    Look at www.lochinvarnoble.com
    This is a 95% condensing combi boiler that will do heat only if you want it to but it can also make your domestic hot water.
    This boiler needs to be sidewall Vented or vented up an chimney with a polypropylene Vent kit from Innoflue or Polypro. If venting up the chimney that is the only thing that can be in the chimney.
    You said you live in PA. Where in PA are you from?

    There are othe boiler manufactures that have condensing gas boilers.
    Burnham
    Weil McLain
    Navien
    Bosch
    HTP

    I prefer a condensing gas boiler with a good SS Firetube heat exchanger.

    Buying a high efficency 95% condensing gas boiler or combi boiler does not mean it will be at that high of efficency unless your heating system can run on low water temp. Plus the boiler needs to run with the outdoor sensor that should come with the boiler.

    You need a good heating contractor to install the high efficency condensing boiler / combi boiler

    If the condensing units are not installed and piped correctly and vented correctly this can cause many problems and a good condensing boiler / combi boiler that should last 10 to 20 years can fail and need either a lot of service / repairs or even totally replaced in 3-5 years.

    Water quality needs to be looked at and addressed to help get 15-20 years out of your boiler.

    Many condensing boilers / combi boilers that fail prematurely is a result of improper installation.
    Correct sizing, correct piping, correct venting and addressing water quality is a must plus yearly maintenance of the condensing boiler / combi boiler will give you years of great heating and domestic hot water.

    Your boiler will be used every day.

    Find yourself a good heating contractor that has installed many condensing boilers / combi boilers
    Make sure what ever type of boiler the contractor installs that they stock replacement parts or the local wholesaler has the parts in stock.

    You could look at installing the Lochinvar Noble combi boiler and then an 30 - 50 gallon electric water heater.
    This way the combi boiler makes your domestic hot water and then you can store it in the electric water heater. This way if or when the combi boiler breaks down (sooner or later all boilers break down) the electric water heater can still make your domestic hot water so you can shower for a day or two until your heating contractor gets you boiler back up and working.

    Vaughn also builds indirect water heaters that have 4500 W electric elements in them so when the boiler goes down the home owner will still have domestic hot water.