BadgerBoilerMN
Hydronic Heating Designer
The type of radiation and the mode of distribution have little to do with the boiler choice or size (unless the system is steam). Your "veteran" (a term a reserve for those who have actually served) gave the predictable response. It is a sad fact that those who have been in the business longest often are the same ones who haven't changed their minds since the first day, a good way to make money perhaps but an attitude that serves the customer poorly. Note that oil boilers must be serviced every year and oil is an unstable commodity tied to the world market, whereas natural gas is domestic, secure and is cleaner by half than fuel oil.
First, a heat load must be done, this is the only way to properly size a boiler, be it replacement or new construction. If you insist on a computer generated heat load analysis, you will thin the field to one or two.
Once the heat load is secured available fuel should be considered, if there is an up charge for gas line it is factored into the 20-year life of the boiler (not how long you will be living there, as you can sell a good fuel bill).
Finally, radiation and to a lesser degree, distribution can be factored in. If the contractor can tell you how much radiation you have, its potential output and the relative load, he can crack wise about condensing boilers. Ask him, how many condensing boilers he has installed in the last say, 40 years.
http://www.badgerboilerservice.com/contractor.html
He may be right about your situation, but I doubt he knows why.
First, a heat load must be done, this is the only way to properly size a boiler, be it replacement or new construction. If you insist on a computer generated heat load analysis, you will thin the field to one or two.
Once the heat load is secured available fuel should be considered, if there is an up charge for gas line it is factored into the 20-year life of the boiler (not how long you will be living there, as you can sell a good fuel bill).
Finally, radiation and to a lesser degree, distribution can be factored in. If the contractor can tell you how much radiation you have, its potential output and the relative load, he can crack wise about condensing boilers. Ask him, how many condensing boilers he has installed in the last say, 40 years.
http://www.badgerboilerservice.com/contractor.html
He may be right about your situation, but I doubt he knows why.