Jackie123
New Member
Hi,
I think I have to replace my oil boiler which is about 60( I think it is the original boiler) years old as it does no longer meet codes, I cannot get any more oil delivered unless I can fix the problem. Since my water heat is oil and 16 years old it will have to also be replaced. I realize my boiler will have to be replaced someday but this is not the best time to replace it. The boiler is a Hoffman net btu 101250. I have had the boiler cleaned and maintained yearly. It is not the boiler but the exhaust pipe that is too close to the outside brick wall and inside dividing wall which is load bearing. If I removed the studs on the outside wall it would be about 5 inch from brick wall which would be alright but the interior load bearing wall is a problem. I need to be 10 inches from this wall. I can replace the studs with metal supports but I still will be too close to the wall. The furnace cannot be moved as it was built in place. The oil company just said I need a new furnace and did not make any other suggestions. I have been told the pipe has to be 10 inches from any combustible material. I spend about $3000.00 on oil last year. I am told that I will save about $1000.00 a year and it is a long payback period, even if I do save that much a year.
I am looking at changing to propane(no natural gas) from oil. I have been given 2 options and have gotten 3 quotes, all somewhat different.
- IBC 115 condensing boiler and Eco-tank indirect wh-most expensive about $10,000.
-normal boiler(LarrsJVS boiler. Eco WH) with indirect hot water heater- about $9000.00
This is a major investment and I want to get it right. I have a brick house about 60 years old, about 1000 sq. feet., with OK windows and good insulation in attic. I have baseboard fin rads. I have read that you do not get the full efficiency from a condensing boiler with this type of baseboard heater as it requires higher temperatures than 137 where condensing starts. I have also ready that installation really matters with the condensing boiler and they can break more. Also is it correct that you do not need a thermostat with a condensing boiler as it has been included in some quotes but not in others. I have also been told by one contractor that condensing boilers do not need yearly maintenance which seems odd or thermostat. I have attached a picture of the boiler and pipe.
PS. I have been reading threads on the site and Dana suggested in one case that "a more cost effective solution is to keep the boiler (but adding an intellicon) but to add an R410A refrigerant mini-split heat pump with at least 2-ton (24,000BTU/hr) nominal heating capacity which would cut down your heating cost substantially if used as the primary heat source, using the boiler only as the backup during the bitterest weather.". If I could somehow fix the problem with the vent pipe would this be a possibility with a 60+ year old boiler. No I have spoke to suggested this when I asked about a heat pump.
Any suggestions would greatly appreciated(I am a single woman 60+ and not to handy).
Thanks, Jackie
I think I have to replace my oil boiler which is about 60( I think it is the original boiler) years old as it does no longer meet codes, I cannot get any more oil delivered unless I can fix the problem. Since my water heat is oil and 16 years old it will have to also be replaced. I realize my boiler will have to be replaced someday but this is not the best time to replace it. The boiler is a Hoffman net btu 101250. I have had the boiler cleaned and maintained yearly. It is not the boiler but the exhaust pipe that is too close to the outside brick wall and inside dividing wall which is load bearing. If I removed the studs on the outside wall it would be about 5 inch from brick wall which would be alright but the interior load bearing wall is a problem. I need to be 10 inches from this wall. I can replace the studs with metal supports but I still will be too close to the wall. The furnace cannot be moved as it was built in place. The oil company just said I need a new furnace and did not make any other suggestions. I have been told the pipe has to be 10 inches from any combustible material. I spend about $3000.00 on oil last year. I am told that I will save about $1000.00 a year and it is a long payback period, even if I do save that much a year.
I am looking at changing to propane(no natural gas) from oil. I have been given 2 options and have gotten 3 quotes, all somewhat different.
- IBC 115 condensing boiler and Eco-tank indirect wh-most expensive about $10,000.
-normal boiler(LarrsJVS boiler. Eco WH) with indirect hot water heater- about $9000.00
This is a major investment and I want to get it right. I have a brick house about 60 years old, about 1000 sq. feet., with OK windows and good insulation in attic. I have baseboard fin rads. I have read that you do not get the full efficiency from a condensing boiler with this type of baseboard heater as it requires higher temperatures than 137 where condensing starts. I have also ready that installation really matters with the condensing boiler and they can break more. Also is it correct that you do not need a thermostat with a condensing boiler as it has been included in some quotes but not in others. I have also been told by one contractor that condensing boilers do not need yearly maintenance which seems odd or thermostat. I have attached a picture of the boiler and pipe.
PS. I have been reading threads on the site and Dana suggested in one case that "a more cost effective solution is to keep the boiler (but adding an intellicon) but to add an R410A refrigerant mini-split heat pump with at least 2-ton (24,000BTU/hr) nominal heating capacity which would cut down your heating cost substantially if used as the primary heat source, using the boiler only as the backup during the bitterest weather.". If I could somehow fix the problem with the vent pipe would this be a possibility with a 60+ year old boiler. No I have spoke to suggested this when I asked about a heat pump.
Any suggestions would greatly appreciated(I am a single woman 60+ and not to handy).
Thanks, Jackie
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