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Low NOx cast iron boilers and b vents

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Northsong
Northsong Member Posts: 2
in Gas Heating

Hi, I need to replace my b vent, water heater, and very soon 30 yo Lochinvar boiler. I live in CO, and unless I can find a regular boiler before the stock is depleted, I have to go low NOx. I'm very hesitant to to replace boiler with a high efficiency boiler because of my 180° system, increased initial expense and increased maintenance expenses. I'm planning on mini-splits or a heat pump for cooling and perhaps some heating, but am not ready to go all electric. What is the recommended way to go? Thank you for your thoughts.

Comments

  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 20,391

    What do you mean by a "regular boiler". Gas fired cast iron boiler? Or a high efficiency MOD CON. What type of boiler is your Lochinvar? There are also copper fin tube boilers.

  • kcopp
    kcopp Member Posts: 4,695

    Rent a trailer and drive to Cheyenne….

    EdTheHeaterMan
  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 27,705

    typically you only need 180 SWT on cold or design days, with outdoor reset control the boiler supply will be adjusted down from 180. So a mod con or copper fin boiler are good options.

    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
  • pecmsg
    pecmsg Member Posts: 7,189
    edited April 18

    and very soon 30 yo Lochinvar boiler.

    WHY?

  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 27,514

    Combustion equipment designed and certified for low NOx production is a rather different category from mod-con or high efficiency. They seem to be rather thin on the ground for residential use, although low NOx boilers are available for industrial use. You need to find a boiler which your local authority has deemed acceptable — if any are available at all.

    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
  • Northsong
    Northsong Member Posts: 2

    Thank you, everyone I'm sorry for the confusion. Current 30 yo cast iron gas boiler has some rust on the outside, and is nearing the end of it's life span. Regular boiler = traditional cast iron gas boiler. CO passed a law requiring low NOx equipment. "Equipment already in inventory as of January 1 may still be sold, but all new products entering the Colorado market must meet the new criteria." @hot_rod this isn't my field, I'm not sure what you mean. What I'm still wondering is if I do a heat pump, what do I do for back up and do I replace the b vent. I do not have solar and am assuming with reduced load, the Lochinvar will get another few years. I'm just trying to determine if there are alternatives to replacing the b vent without going to a high efficiency boiler.

  • Karl Reynolds
    Karl Reynolds Member Posts: 83

    At this time, there are no Low NOx restrictions in Colorado on residential boilers, only water heaters. If you have a Lochinvar boiler, it is likely a copper fin-tube boiler and not cast iron. Depending on where you live, you may likely be able to replace with a standard efficiency copper fin tube or cast iron boiler.

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