Steam boiler needs replacing?
Howdy all, we purchased a house a couple years back (Northern NJ) and are starting to learn more about the joys of homeownership.
The Peerless 100k BTU steam boiler that heats up our 2.2k sq-ft house was installed in 2014 (the radiators + pipes are much older). From the state of the heat exchanger, the previous owners were proper goofs and probably never maintained or paid attention to it.
I've attached two pictures that show the heat exchanger last year, and as of yesterday. The maintenance guys (Gold Medal Service) told us the unit was shot, probably had a leak somewhere (which they couldn't find) and needed replacing asap. I'm not a plumber and generally don't know things good, but I am inclined to agree based on the pictures they took; however, it still seems to run OK at this time (radiators get hot, nothing is exploding or leaking).
I thought I'd ask whether people agree this is an emergency, before blowing 15k$ on a new boiler + servicing (we'll be getting other estimates because that sounds outrageous?)
Cheers
Steam boiler needs replacing? 2 votes
Comments
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Doesn't look that bad. The question is — does it use water when it is running? That's really the only sure diagnosis. A good steam system shouldn't use more than a gallon of water a week — and perhaps much much less.
So — fire it up and see how much water it uses.
And learn all you can about steam heat — our leader here on The Wall wrote a neat little book "We Got Steam Heat" available from the site store — highly recommended.
Br. Jamie, osb
Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England1 -
@kaskarn that doesn’t look good at all could require replacing.
Where in northern NJ are you located?
I would be willing to come out to your house to provide you an analysis on the boiler along with a system analysis.
I can be reached at 20188788561 -
And learn all you can about steam heat — our leader here on The Wall wrote a neat little book "We Got Steam Heat" available from the site store — highly recommended.
Thanks @Jamie Hall I ordered the book, exactly the resource I was looking for!
I would be willing to come out to your house to provide you an analysis on the boiler along with a system analysis.
I can be reached at 2018878856
Thanks @EzzyT I'll shoot you a text! We're in Ramsey, so no worries if it's too far a hike for you
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ok, I service the Ramsey area. I’m in Bergen country too.
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a peerless lasting 10 years…it must have really been losing a lot of water/steam out the radiators or somewhere
NJ Steam Homeowner.
Free NJ and remote steam advice: https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/new-jersey-steam-help/
See my sight glass boiler videos: https://bit.ly/3sZW1el0 -
Agreed. When @EzzyT gets there he will want to look for buried returns (which are almost always leaking), leaking vents, loose packing nuts etc.
All Steamed Up, Inc.
Towson, MD, USA
Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
Oil & Gas Burner Service
Consulting1
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