My hot water heating boiler is shot, it’s 30 years old. Im not sure what the btu ratings were for that but it worked great. My house is roughly 1300 s.f., 2 levels. i have the option of installing a similar cast iron boiler about 45000 btu’s, or a high efficiency, at about five times the cost. I really don’t see the logic of spending that much money on something, when my old cast iron unit worked so well. Any suggestions?
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Simple boiler or high efficiency?
- Thread starter joeb69
- Start date
TurnipTruck
Well-known member
In my limited experience, high efficiency modulating &condensing boilers do not attain their rated efficiencies when heating high temperature emitters (180*F) like baseboard or radiators. They do attain high efficiencies with lower temperatures (<120*)typical with radiant floors.
Assuming you have baseboards, go cast iron and simple and what is favored locally.
Assuming you have baseboards, go cast iron and simple and what is favored locally.
jack stand
Well-known member
Depending on where you are Joe, I'd research mini splits for the hell o fit and have AC as a freebie.
BigNuge
Well-known member
Near zero benefit going with an HE unit in your case. Stick with the CI boiler, you’ll be fine.
danski0224
Well-known member
Why is the existing one "shot"?Any suggestions?
Apparently the firebox has burned and carbon monoxide is escaping into the houseWhy is the existing one "shot"?
TurnipTruck
Well-known member
Which end of the country are you?
Natural gas or propane or fuel oil?
Which boiler is the contractor suggesting?
I like the GV90+ from WeilMclane as a simple boiler that can modulate its output somewhat.
Natural gas or propane or fuel oil?
Which boiler is the contractor suggesting?
I like the GV90+ from WeilMclane as a simple boiler that can modulate its output somewhat.
kaymccampbell
Well-known member
Depending on the make, model, and fuel, it's possible to replace a damaged fire box or smoke box. It's time consuming, but not actually hard to do.Apparently the firebox has burned and carbon monoxide is escaping into the house
danski0224
Well-known member
Pictures?Apparently the firebox has burned and carbon monoxide is escaping into the house
Burned? Probably not.
More likely rusted out due to improper return water temperature and/or venting.
Service life of a properly installed cast iron boiler is measured in decades.
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That new HE boiler was a miracle of modern engineering! Even heated the water for the house. Right out of warranty a circuit board went out hundreds of dollars and that was 30 years ago. Board could only be sold to authorized dealer so no DIY repair. Repair bill eliminated 10-15 years of energy savings.
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Firebrick43
Well-known member
SecondWhich end of the country are you?
Natural gas or propane or fuel oil?
Which boiler is the contractor suggesting?
I like the GV90+ from WeilMclane as a simple boiler that can modulate its output somewhat.
I live in Montana, winter starts about October and goes to May. Temps avg I. 40-50’s typical starting October with a few days back into 60,s maybe even hitting 70. By November they’re down to 30-40, then slide down into 20-s- 30’s with some dips to 0 and below thro Jan to March. My old heater was abou 140,000 brush, the new one proposed is. Lochinvar 180,000, natural gas,,my old was wasa Weil MclaneWhich end of the country are you?
Natural gas or propane or fuel oil?
Which boiler is the contractor suggesting?
I like the GV90+ from WeilMclane as a simple boiler that can modulate its output somewhat.
fitter30
Well-known member
All condensing boilers get their efficiency from condensing meaning return water temp has to be below 140° the cooler the better above the 140° drops to 87%.