Posted by David Sperry on August 25, 2000 at 17:58:05:
I'm looking to replace my 40 year old boiler with a more efficient boiler. I've installed radiant heat
on one floor and a Hi Velocity fancoil w/HEPA filter system on the other floor. For most of last
year I ran my boiler temperature at 150 deg and I think the system would work ok all the way down
to 130 deg. My old boiler is way too big for the house 250,000 BTU/HR. Doing the basic Heat loss
calculations for the house It looks like I need 80K BTU min. Also my gas company is offering a $400
rebate for the installation of an energy star rated boiler.
Since I can run the system at such a low temperature I think I'm a good candidate for a condensing
boiler. What brands of boilers in the 95-110K BTU range are best for my system. I plan to have a
professional install the system, but I would like to do the preventive maintenance myself. I also plan on
living in this house for another 30-40 years.
Also what are good features to look for in a boiler
- Iron, steel, s-steel, Copper, Aluminum heat exchanger?
- single, dual or variable firing rates.?
- automatic bypass loop for low temp return.?
- venting options?
- ceramic burner?
- 3" cabinet insulation?
Thanks in advance,
Dave