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Utica MGB-150k vs Burnham x205N 140MBTU vs Navien New NFB-H Series (combi)

djwheeler
djwheeler Member Posts: 2
edited October 11 in A-C, Heat Pumps & Refrigeration

Hi all,

I'm new here and need advice with which of the above units would be recommended. All came in near the same price (except if I go with the Combi version of Navien which adds approx $ but the hot water tank conversion can be done at a later time), so it's just a matter of which units is best. I live in SE Michigan. My home is 2700 sqr feet and I have 156 linear feet of baseboard. Thank you for any advice!!

Comments

  • gyrfalcon
    gyrfalcon Member Posts: 179

    Welcome, you will certainly get some good and accurate information here on the wall.
    The first items to hash out before brand of boiler choices are- Was a heat load calculation made? Fuel use calculation?
    Domestic water demand calculation?

    Slant Fin Galaxy GG100(1986) , 2 zone hot water baseboard, T87 Honeywell thermostats. 
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 16,364

    personally, I would stay away from Navien but that's just me.

    IronmanSuperTech
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 17,358
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1813869#Comment_1813869

    This.

    The Burnham or Utica would be my choice too, especially with baseboard.

    But, did whoever proposed these units do a heat-loss calculation? If not, they're guessing at the sizes of their boilers.

    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
    Ironman
  • gyrfalcon
    gyrfalcon Member Posts: 179

    the brand of boiler is like choosing between Nike or Adidas. Coke or Pepsi. The more important thing is what size shoe do you need. Often time replacement boilers are too big. The piping and controls are also important details.

    Slant Fin Galaxy GG100(1986) , 2 zone hot water baseboard, T87 Honeywell thermostats. 
  • Ironman
    Ironman Member Posts: 7,537

    Your baseboards have an output of about 78k BTUs, but you’re gonna install a boiler that’s 150 - 200k BTUs?

    The reason that combi’s are so oversized for space heating is because they have to be to heat the domestic instantaneously.

    You’ll save yourself a lot of maintenance and repair costs (as well as headaches) by using a properly sized heating boiler combined with an indirect water heater. It will cost a little more up front, but less in the long run.

    The contractor is far more important than the brand of equipment, but I wouldn’t recommend any of the models you’ve listed.

    Find a good HYDRONIC specialist that knows how to install AND service the equipment or you’ll be sorry down the road.

    Bob Boan
    You can choose to do what you want, but you cannot choose the consequences.
    GGrossdjwheelerSuperTech
  • djwheeler
    djwheeler Member Posts: 2

    They did a calculation by measuring the linear feet of the baseboards and it compared to my existing unit (which is a Lennox installed back in the 90s), so would that be what you are referring to?

    I have quotes and literature of all three if that is helpful? I can continue to get more quotes, but it's starting to get cold! lol

    I'm sorry to sound so ignorant, but I am not knowledgeable about boiler systems at all!! I'm a single mom, trying to figure this out on my own and make sure I make the right decision. It's a huge investment and I'm researching all avenues.

  • Ironman
    Ironman Member Posts: 7,537

    Again, a good HYDRONIC contractor, not your average plumber or HVAC guy. Most of them are not competent on Hydronic systems.

    A heating boiler (not a combi) plus an indirect water heater.

    Try the contractor locator above.

    IMG_1512.jpeg
    IMG_1432.png

    Two examples of a heating boiler(s) plus an indirect water heater. The boiler heats the domestic water in the indirect tank.

    Bob Boan
    You can choose to do what you want, but you cannot choose the consequences.
  • Ironman
    Ironman Member Posts: 7,537

    If you install the system that I recommend above, you only need a boiler that will cover the output capacity of your baseboards (78k btus). So, a 100k btu boiler at the most.

    Many manufacturers offer mod/con boilers of 80 or 85k btus. You only need the full output of the boiler on the coldest night of the year. On a 35* day, you only need half that much. The average winter temperature is 35-40*.

    Bob Boan
    You can choose to do what you want, but you cannot choose the consequences.
  • Ironman
    Ironman Member Posts: 7,537
    IMG_0736.jpeg

    Another pic of a heating boiler plus an indirect water heater.

    Bob Boan
    You can choose to do what you want, but you cannot choose the consequences.
  • SuperTech
    SuperTech Member Posts: 2,401

    My opinion is that a combi is a poor choice and a Navien combi is a worse one.

    Ironman

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