Boiler (furnace) info please

[Turdus]

Over at my Mom's today, and her boiler is done, as best as I can tell. Leaking water right on to the pilot, so it won't stay lit. Quite a bit of visible rust also. I know the unit is at least 40+ years old. I'm pretty ignorant about boilers. What I do know is it is gas, and heats up water, which heats the house via radiators.

What can I expect when getting this replaced? I'm wondering about the cost, compared to forced air furnance. Are there bells and whistles with boilers? I'd like to avoid that and just get as basic a model as possible. Is the replacment as easy as a regular furnace, or will they attempt to run me around hyping up the fact that its old technology?

Any information at all would be appreciated.

Thanks.

[ArnieZ]

The most efficient boliers are stainless steel and have a lot of electronic controls. They often require direct venting vs thru the chimney. I replaced mine a couple years ago with a Burnam which is very effecient, though not the highest effeciency. It is a cast iron boiler and the heat exchanger was guaranteed for life vs 10 years on the highest efficincy models. I got a great deal on installation cause I did it in the summer. the boiler was approx $2000 without install.

ArnieZ

[Turdus]

Thanks Arnie... this is one of those incidents that you discover on a Sat.. then get to think about it all weekend. Will start making calls today.

[ArnieZ]

Just murdered the word efficient multiple times, other people's spelling doesn't bother me but my own kills me !

ArnieZ

[Turdus]

ouch... 2 estimates.. $6,500 and $8,500. Both seem to want to install a boiler that is available for about $2,200 delivered via Amazon.

That's a lot of labor costs.... I am in the wrong profession.

[ArnieZ]

ouch... 2 estimates.. $6,500 and $8,500. Both seem to want to install a boiler that is available for about $2,200 delivered via Amazon.

That's a lot of labor costs.... I am in the wrong profession.

This is why I replaced mine before it went bad. See if you can find a guy that moonlights who is qualified. MIne was replaced over the course of a weekend for $2000 in labor, but that also included a stainless steel chimney liner which was about $500. And at $8500, I too am in the wrong profession!