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Is this boiler a good candidate for conversion to gas using a Carlin EZ gas boiler?

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Bawstin
Bawstin Member Posts: 12
in Gas Heating
Picture 1.jpg Picture 2.jpg Picture 3.jpg Picture 4.jpg Picture 5.jpg Picture 6.jpg Picture 7.jpg

First off thank you to Steamhead, hot_rod, EBEBRATT-Ed, Jamie Hall and jesmed1 for the education provided in my last post on boiler sizing. Thanks!

This Peerless boiler is from 1989. Steamhead recommended converting to gas using a Carlin EZ gas burner. jesmed! seconded that suggestion.

I gather the answer to my question is the boiler could last one more day or ten more years...

  • But, given these pictures, I'm wondering whether there are any visual red flags that would change your thoughts on that recommendation?
  • Also, would I be correct to be looking to use one of these?

EZGas Pro Residential Gas Burner

9859210BFR1

9859212BFR1

9859214BFR1

9859216BFR1

9859218BFR1

All the above have the same specifications:

Min output (BTUH) 50,000

Max output (BTUH) 175,000

Fuels LP NG

Control 60200FR

Ignition 41800

Not sure what the difference among these different models is, but the 50,000 - 175,000 seemed to be appropriate if we assume a heat load of 70,000 BTUs/Hr.

  • And finally, is a stainless steel flex liner a must for using this Carlin EZ gas burner for the boiler?

At a certain point the cost of the conversion and a liner may approach half the cost of a new boiler installation.

The alternatives are a gas boiler, standard efficiency with a separate gas hot water heater, or a high efficiency combi-boiler providing heat and hot water. There is natural gas in the house.

Thank you again.

Comments

  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 18,050

    it could be converted. given that the boiler looks like it has been neglected the money might be better spent on a conventional atmospheric gas boiler if the chimney can take it or a mod con if chimney repairs would be expensive.

  • jesmed1
    jesmed1 Member Posts: 1,579
    edited 11:50AM

    Yes, you will need a stainless flex chimney liner for the Carlin EZ conversion.

    I think I would still lean toward doing the conversion. Yeah, the boiler looks old and ratty but you could still get lucky and get 10 more years out of it. Even if it doesn't last that long, you'll still have the chimney liner in place if/when you opt for a new conventional boiler, and you'll have the gas line run. So it's two steps forward.

  • STEAM DOCTOR
    STEAM DOCTOR Member Posts: 2,654

    As is often the case there is no right answer to this question. Personally, I would never suggest putting significant money into a boiler that is close to 40 years old. As much as I love conversion burners, they come with a major risk. And that is the fact that there are very few technicians out there that know how to service them. Even if you get the top of the line guy to put this in for you, what happens if you need service and he's not around? Life could be pretty miserable, if this happens on one of those cold winter days.

    mattmia2
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 18,863

    There are plenty of folks here on the Wall who can service them.

    Co-Founder, All Steamed Up, Inc.

    Semi-retired

    Baltimore, MD, USA

  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 20,975

    IMHO $$$ would be better spent on a new boiler.

    Reasons:

    Tankless heater cover plate needs a gasket that no one will want to touch due to risk of breaking bolts

    Boiler needs cleaning and probably new front plate refractory

    Chimney and flue liner

    Boiler age

    Removal of oil tank and oil.

    Its time for something new IMHO

    HVACNUT
  • jesmed1
    jesmed1 Member Posts: 1,579
    edited 4:26PM

    @EBEBRATT-Ed Has a good point about oil tank removal. I don't know how it works in NY, but here in MA we would have been required to remove our 2 existing basement oil tanks if converting to gas, and that would have been additional $$. We ended up sticking with oil for a variety of reasons.

    But in your case since you're converting to gas, you would presumably have to remove the old oil tank for whichever gas boiler option you choose.

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