Boiler/Radiator
as owner of two family brownstone for 10+ years, have always had poor heating on the top two floors, despite adjusting pressure, bleeding radiators, etc. have also been told in the past two years the boiler should be replaced and runs very costly, inefficiently. it’s currently oil, hot water system. the boiler is huge, decades…
as owner of two family brownstone for 10+ years, have always had poor heating on the top two floors, despite adjusting pressure, bleeding radiators, etc.
have also been told in the past two years the boiler should be replaced and runs very costly, inefficiently.
it’s currently oil, hot water system. the boiler is huge, decades old, the radiators paint encrusted, probably as old as the boiler, none on the top floor radiate heat.
i would like to upgrade the system, replace the boiler and get new radiators for the top two floors.
my questions would be
— should i do a new oil boiler or switch to gas
— radiators – i know of governale radiators and they look exact replacements, but wondered if anyone has installed them
–any tips or recommendations for how to proceed, as it’s a big undertaking. do i buy everything or have plumber do it all…….
thks!
I am by no means knowledgeable about heating systems, but from what I’ve been reading lately, the paint on the radiators could be the reason your heating isn’t balanced. Have you thought about stripping them? (Or maybe you just have to paint them metallic — I don’t know.)
I managed a gut reno in Park Slope where we upgraded the boiler. The engineer on the project seemed sub par, the architect really did not know mechanical and plumbing, my plumber was adamant that the engineer had specified a boiler that was too small and vice versa. Frankly, my vendors at Brooklyn Plumbing Supply and my plumber seemed to be the most knowledgeable.
As I usually suggest, do your homework, get three bids and go with whoever makes the most sense.
You can take a look at boiler make and models here (some sites have pages for homeowners):
http://www.brooklynplumbingsupply.com/supply2.nxg
mp
i was more worried about the length of time due to an oil to gas conversion… a straight up gas replacement would not be a problem, but there are too many variables in a conversion to make me comfortable without a walkthrough to recommend a new boiler…i think that there is a systemic problem should be addressed before the boiler replacement is undertaken.. probably a sloppy steam to hydronic conversion with an old steam boiler dressed up with hot water trim.. i always respect your opinion, since your work incredibly good
Eman, I respectfully disagree about the timing. My 6 service crews are replacing several boilers every week right now as the DOB and Nat Grid are allowing delayed/emergency filing as of October 1st.
Most boiler replacements and upgrades are done in a single day and the home may be without heat for as long as only 8 hours with a little supplemental manpower on my part.
National Grid’s rebates on Burnham boilers have made them readily available in all sizes, luckily, like never before.
Be well,
John
first of all, this is not an undertaking to consider at the advent of heating season.. i do not service oil, and way prefer gas, but switching will incur additional costs (chimney cleaning or possibly relining, draining and appropriate removal of the oil tank, etc)…while you may experience some absolutely minor savings buying new equipment yourself, you should have a heating pro resize them as per the existing conditions , not just replacing the same items from however many years ago when the house was built..it is also hard for me to believe that the top 2 floors do not radiate any heat at all..even in a steam to hot water conversion that you describe, this is hard for me to believe…if you want a free consultation, email me @errol832000@yahoo.com
I install about one hundred gas boilers every year and I’m a big advocate for clean natural gas. But even I realize that ultimately it’s a personal choice. If you feel you owe some loyalty to your oil supplier then you should stick with oil heat. If not, the process for converting has become painless and rewarding.
What I can say for sure, is that changing your radiators is RARELY ever the answer to heating problems.
Don’t buy anything until someone who knows what they’re talking about gives you some solid reasons why it would be a good idea.