Burnham Alpine boiler question
My contractor has recommended me a boiler that he uses often. It is the Burnham Alpine series. The boiler opperates at a 95% efficiency rate. This is very good I think. Im new to all this boiler stuff and I just want to know if anyone can give me their opinion.
My contractor has recommended me a boiler that he uses often. It is the Burnham Alpine series. The boiler opperates at a 95% efficiency rate. This is very good I think. Im new to all this boiler stuff and I just want to know if anyone can give me their opinion.
The Burnham Alpine is a good boiler, make sure you have a computer generated heat loss done or the boilers components will take a beating from cycling on and off. Never oversize a condensing boiler. The warranty could be better; it’s sharply prorated starting at 8 years and expires after 12 years.
This is typical of any boiler using the .5ML thick Giannoni boiler. That’s right this boiler is not produced by Burnham. It is produced by Giannoni, Same as Peerless, Lochinvar, Baxi, and many others. By the way you shouldn’t use PVC on the exhaust vent, it’s not rated for the temperature of the flue gas and could result in fire or death from CO poisoning.
A possible alternative boiler for the same price range would be the Viessmann 100, it has a better heat exchanger and better warranty. The Viessmann is also much easier to clean, something all condensing boilers require on a regular basis.
Any of these boilers will save many dollars if installed by a contractor experienced and factory trained on condensing gas boilers.
i just installed an alpine in my home. even though i am “in the business” there is a huge learning curve attached to this ultra efficient boiler. initially, our intention was to simply replace our 50-year-old gas-guzzler. well, one thing lead to another and my research finally led me to the alpine. this is what you should know:
not all plumbers are created equal.
you will need an experienced boiler electrician to make this operational.
you will probably buy an “indirect water heater’ or superstore tank, to maximize your boilers potential and efficiency.
there are real limitations to the venting which is through 3″ and 4” PVC. there are length limitations, the number of elbows to be used and the termination locations.
the pvc can not share an active chimney (with a conventional water heater- which is why you might end up with an indirect water heater).
there is a significant amount of condensation run-off, so be prepared for that.
you will have at least 2 pump motors (we have 3) so remember, no electricity, no heat.
still, this is a great unit. it really works. although it does give new meaning to green. be prepared to spend some.
NYBK,
Sorry not on track here. My wife and I are renovating our home on LI. I noticed you were having the same predicament as we are regarding wood flooring and radiant heat. If you have time, can you shoot me an email with what you finally deceided to do? (richandclaire@gmail.com).
Also another good post for you regarding stoves/ranges, etc. is “gardenweb.com”
Appreciate any info you can supply.
-R
Thanks for the info. Yes, my contractor has told me that he recommends this one…he said he only hears good things about the Alpine all the time. I think we will go with it.
The Alpine was made as an upgrade to the Freedom.
Both operate at about 95% efficiency, but the Freedom was made with a cast aluminum heat exchanger which is not standing the test of time in some applications.
The Alpine uses a stainless steel heat exchanger. It is their newest-latest product and Burnham is gushing over it.
Both the Alpine and Freedom use a very smart device called the MCBA Control, made by Honeywell, to modulate their output to match the constantly-changing heating requirements for your home. The same control is used by several other boiler manufacturers including Weil-McLain.
My one and only concern with the Alpine is that Burnham has said that they are developing a proprietary control specifically for the Alpine which might mean the currently-available Alpines may soon be old technology. In fact, all the Alpine literature is printed on lesser-quality paper than their other boiler brochures. I thought that was interesting. But it might not be.
I don’t know anyone who uses the Alpine often, because it hasn’t been out very long at all.
All that said, if you’re still awake, I can tell you I like the product and I have an easy time dealing with the manufacturer.
If your installer knows how to install high efficiency equipment, then you should be fine.
95% is about as high as you can get. Condensing boilers have very specific venting requirements (not up a chimney,) but I’m sure your contractor knows all about it.