Advice on New Boiler
My wife and I are looking for new, high-efficiency boiler for a Ditmas Victorian. I’ve looked at Energy Star and ACEEE web sites about the best brands. ACEEE’s web site mention Dunkirk or Utica as brands that have a 90% efficiency rating or higher. Has anyone recently replaced a heating system and care to share…
My wife and I are looking for new, high-efficiency boiler for a Ditmas Victorian. I’ve looked at Energy Star and ACEEE web sites about the best brands. ACEEE’s web site mention Dunkirk or Utica as brands that have a 90% efficiency rating or higher. Has anyone recently replaced a heating system and care to share their story with advice?
Thanks!
Conversion Offers by KeySpan Energy Delivery
RESIDENTIAL SPECIALS FOR ONE TO TWO FAMILY HOMES
Special Financing with NO PAYMENTS FOR 6 MONTHS (please call 1-800-427-2001 for details) AND any of the following:
Cast Iron Natural Gas Burnham® Boiler (for $599* plus tax) OR,
Janitrol or American Standard Furnace for homes with forced air-central heating. ($399 plus tax)
SPECIALS FOR THREE TO FIVE FAMILY HOMES
Low Cost Financing (per apartment – please call 1-800-427-2001 for details) and a Special Three Year Introductory Gas Rate AND any of the following:
Cast Iron Natural Gas Burnham® Boiler (for $599 plus tax and a Special Three Year Introductory Gas Rate)*
* Power Vent Burnham Boiler for $999 plus tax
Plus…the conversion can be done quickly and easily by one of KeySpan Energy Delivery’s Value Plus Installers, who will be happy to give you a no obligation estimate. Or, get competitive bids in the comfort of your home with KeySpan’s premier MyQuotes service at http://myquotes.keyspanenergy.com.
Please call us at 1-800-GAS-2001 or 1-800-427-2001 for this LIMITED TIME offer to convert your home to natural gas heat. Offer effective January 1, 2006 to June 30, 2006.
http://www.keyspanenergy.com/pshome/local/conversion_offers_ny_kedny.jsp
Certain restrictions apply. Residential offers only available to homeowners in Keyspan Energy Delivery territory who already have natural gas service but not for heating. Customers must request incentive within 90 days of installation, presenting KeySpan Energy Delivery with a contract showing equipment installation date between the effective offer dates as noted in our promotions. Installation costs not included. Offer not to be used in conjunction with other KeySpan Energy Delivery incentives.
I think that if Keyspan was recomending less than acceptable installers for their conversion program, that they would have angry mobs storming their offices.
The more likely story is, is that:
1) they have negotiated a bulk rate with the installers (i.e. we will send you tons and tons of work, and you will do it at a lower price)
2) they have some kind of bonus/incentive that they pay to the installers per job (i.e. a legal kick back)
Keyspan has eveything to gain to make it easy for you to become a customer, and if there is a way to get the cost reduced, I’m sure they are doing it.
It’s hard to say. If you’re getting steel pipe and fittings, I’d go with it. If not, ask what the price would be with the proper materials. On larger residential boilers, I like to install a secondary low water cut off which adds to the up front cost. That safety feature has saved many boilers from total meltdown over the years.
That said, a well-installed residential steam boiler serving a typical 3-4 story Brooklyn home with the right materials and a good safety system should cost considerably more than $6,000 even with the incentives you’ve been given.
On the other hand, it might just be a good deal from a contractor who needs the work or something. Let us know how it goes!
thanks Master Plvmber. Through Keyspan incentive plan, the Burnham boiler is $599.00 and the hot water heater is free. does the $6K price make sense.
$6,000 is probably a little low for a well-installed steam heating boiler from a reputable company. Make sure the plumber or heating company uses steel screw pipe, as opposed to copper, for the near-boiler piping. Also keep in mind that there is only ONE WAY to install a steam boiler and that way is dictated by the manufacturer and a diagram is included in the installer’s manual provided with every single unit.
There is no room for creativity or opinion.
A new boiler is a often a twenty-year commitment to a homewowner. Choose wisely.
appologies, the $599 price is for conversion from oil to gas. However, Keyspan may have other programs for energy conservation.
I believe New York State is offering tax credits for 2006 for energy conservation home improvements such as efficient heating systems, insultation, etc. Does anyone have the link?
Nelson, I am anon 11:13. Do call Keyspan and see if their offer for the $599 boiler is still available. I think they were only running it until June. Depending on the size of your house, number of fins on the radiators, and number of radiators determines the class and size you need. It may be more $ for larger boiler. Keyspan will also refer you to plumbing and heating company that works within their program. The job, with the new boiler, hotwater heater, gas conversion and some other minor plumbing repair in the basement is costing $6,000 total.
Thanks for you post Anon 11:13, I’m the original poster… I’d love to hear more details via email. We currently have a gas steam boiler, and a gas water heater…extremely old and inefficient. Obscene gas bills. I was imagining a new steam boiler to cost in the 8000-10000 range. Maybe I’m way way off. I’d love to hear how yours goes and how your contractor works out.
Are you using Gas or oil? I am replacing the oil boiler in my Ditmas Park three family House in two weeks with a steam system Burnham Gas boiler and hot water tank (don’t remember the brand). I am doing this through the Keyspan program using Adco Plumbing and heating. I made it through the winter, but the boiler which is about 40+ years old has to go! it heats the hot water and is on year round. Keyspan offered the boiler at $599 and the hot water heater for free. I already have high volume gas supply to the house, you may have to upgrade this as well if its a conversion. This will be a two day job, one to get the old equipment and oil tank out, one for the install. Post an email address and I can tell you how it went.