Quote:
Originally Posted by Charlie T
I'm in a situation where I need to replace my Oil boiler before the winter. I'm calling for estimates from a couple different sources but I'd like to source the collective knowledge of the forum members.
I currently have FHW by oil with 2 x 30 year old 275 gal tanks in the garage. My previous heating system company apparently had not properly cleaned the boiler for many years and there is soot totally clogging all passageways that has turned to hard concrete. There is apparently little chance of properly cleaning it without potentially damaging the cast iron core..... As I said the soot has turned as hard as concrete and would have to be chiseled out.
I have no chimney so I'm stuck with a power vent which brings its own set of problems. The SS power vent is 1 yr old
As I see it I have 3 choices.
Cheapest would be to swap out the boiler with a new one of similar quality. I"d probably need to / should swap out the tanks as well due to their age. I'm sure with the condition of the existing boiler the true efficiency was way down so a new standard boiler should be a marked improvement.
Or
I could switch over to Propane (this is the recommendation of Eastern Propane who currently supplies my oil). A new High Eff. Propane boiler would put me at 92 + % efficiency but would tie me to the Propane company. I would have to remove the oil tanks as well with this option. Do the outside units for the Mitsu heat pumps need to be placed under cover? What about the potential for them to get covered in snow with no one to uncover them with an unoccupied home
. I've getting an estimate for a Mitsubishi split Heat Pump system next week. I know this system is universally praised but how does it work on those cold winter nights at the lake? Can it be trusted to be the only heating source? The house isn't occupied for much of the winter so starting a fire if it's really cold out isn't an option.
I could keep the old boiler, clean it as well as it can be cleaned and use it for backup only if I get the Mitsubishi system, I'd probably swap out the 2 tanks for a single new one as 275 gal should be more than enough on site storage when it's only for backup.
All thoughts welcome.
Thank you
Charlie T
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This might be the best time to eliminate the potential of a whole house freeze up if the system goes down. Your option would be to antifreeze the system but that produces big issues in itself. The wall hug boilers being proposed will never be 92% unless you can provide low temp(140*) to you system so it will condense and you now have baseboard that is rated for 180 degrees. Multiple Rinnai direct vent furnaces work great, while the mini split would also be an option as long as it's a hyper heat unit. These units must be raised either with a base or bracket that attaches to the side of the house that will keep the condenser above the snowline. Many people have opted for mini splits especially those that have installed solar panels... getting them free power and free heat! Keep in mind with a mini split, the evaporator fan never shuts off. It has to run to monitor the air temp. This is a perfect time to eliminate the power venter and oil in exchange for propane which does not produce an environmental hazard if a leak occurs. You certainly do have some choices and your budget will be the determining factor.