Quality Combi-Boiler Brands

[heierlu]

I'm finally at the point where I'm ready to get the in-floor heat hooked up in my shop. I'm pretty set on a combi-boiler to simplify the install and to save space in the utility room.

As far as the in-floor heat, I've got 13 300' loops. 13*300*30BTU = 117,000BTU
I'm in WI, so ground water temps are cold. Around 49*. Based on that, I'm going to need a 199/200K BTU boiler to heat the domestic water and have a usable gpm flow.

Looking at 200K BTU combi-boilers, I've found the following from Supply House. (I'll be installing myself)

Lochinvar: https://www.supplyhouse.com/Lochinvar-NKC199L-199000-BTU-Noble-Fire-Tube-Combi-Boiler-LP
Noritz: https://www.supplyhouse.com/Noritz-NRCB199DV-LP-NRCB199DV-199000-BTU-Combi-Boiler-LP
Laars: https://www.supplyhouse.com/Laars-M...High-Efficiency-Wall-Mount-Combi-Boiler-NG-LP
AO Smith: https://www.supplyhouse.com/AO-Smit...High-Efficiency-Ultra-Low-NOx-Combi-Boiler-LP

Other have said they liked NTI and US Boiler, but I don't have anyone local that sells them.

Opinions on which to go with? They all have similar warranties from what I can tell, and also have modulating turn-down of at least 10:1. I'm mostly concerned with reliability and ease of warranty work. Also not sure if some brands are better to work with than other as far as warranty goes if it wasn't installed by a dealer.

 

[HoosierBuddy]

I went with NTI in 2006 (150,000) and it is still working well.

I've had to replace the igniter a couple of times and a sensor once.

On my system, I'd say the biggest maintenance issue has been zone pumps. I've lost 3 of the taco 007 pumps. I keep a spare pump and a spare igniter at all times.

I'm not sold that NTI is way better than anything else out there, but mine has been really good for 18 years now. I installed mine myself and ordered it online.

 

[chinboys]

I had installed a Triangle Tube modulating and condensing boiler with a 14-gallon DHW tank some 10 years ago.
It had a time set or delay to prioritize DHW making over that of being a hot water boiler.

My ex-brother-in-law also had the same unit.
His DHW tank leaked and was replaced at a material cost approximately 7 years ago.
My DHW also leaked and I repiped the DHW side to an external stainless steel 25-gallon tank 4 years ago.

Make sure the burner unit and all of the piping as well as the DHW tank are stainless steel or at least di-electrically isolated.
I know my DHW tank was ferrous metal on the outside with a stainless steel tank.
There was a 1/4 gap between the two where the boiler circulated treated liquid and in turn heated the inner tank to make DHW.
My leak was a pinhole in size on the outer metal jacket away from any pipe joints and welds.

 

[Sumboodie]

Had a Baxi, now a Vesta

Can't say I'm a huge fan of the combi. The bathroom is maybe 8ft of hot water pipe away.

It takes a good 45-60 seconds to start having hot water at the sink. The shower is farther and takes easily 2+ mins for hot water that isn't adjusting temp too much... though it does some depending how the pressure is

Also Can't run a bit of hot water, shut it off for even just 15 seconds and have hit water again.
Will be a bit left in the lune, but then a slug if cold till the boiler gets going again.

It's a issue for washing dishes and even the washing machine. It fills a bit, thinks, fills more,thinks, keeps doing that maybe 7-8? times so then the overall water ends up only slightly above ice cold.

I'm told some models have a "buffer tank" to help with that. I bought a small l, maybe 2 gallon, 120v water heater to put in line.

As far as heat, I have no complaints. Keeps a poorly insulated 30x42x14 68-70* without too much drama.

 

[Sumboodie]

Sorry for the **** grammar, phonekeeps changing what I type and in done with fixing it constantly.

 

[fitter30]

Navian has duel btu units NBC 240/130 H 199K/130K HEATING

 

[Jackfre]

Rinnai has their model I combi’s that have worked out well. SS HX and good outdoor reset controls, which you definitely want.