Replacing a Cast Iron Utica Dry Base Oil Fired Boiler
I have a cast iron Utica dry base boiler that is about 34 years old. It still works great and doesn't leak and the boiler only has makes heat for our basement where my mother lives. The boiler is rated for 117k BTU's so I have turned down the aquastat to 120-150. I also have a 48' coil running from the boiler into my coal stove. I'm using about 30-40 gallons a month. I'm trying to figure out if it's worth changing out the boiler to a high efficiency model and maybe an inderect hot water heater. I don't have room for a coal boiler so that isn't an option. I also have a 32 gallon Bock hot water heater. Any thoughts on this setup and my options?
- coaledsweat
- Site Moderator
- Posts: 13766
- Joined: Fri. Oct. 27, 2006 2:05 pm
- Location: Guilford, Connecticut
- Stoker Coal Boiler: Axeman Anderson 260M
- Coal Size/Type: Pea
I would think you are looking at about $4K for a good boiler, another $1.5 for taxes freight and install maybe. That is a lot of steam (around 25 tons of coal ).traderfjp wrote:It still works great and doesn't leak
I'm trying to figure out if it's worth changing out the boiler to a high efficiency model
1. Do nothing, it ain't broke.........
2. Find a nice used dual fuel (coal/oil) and replace the existing boiler and sell your stove. Cost could run $1000-3000 I'm guessing, could go high/low from there depending on your "coal personality".
I got a price of 1729.00 for a Buderus and I can use my Reillo head which is fairly new. I'm figuring a 1k for an install and another 500 in parts. I really don't want to deal with coal in my basement and have to bother my mom everytime I have to take the ashes out. The boiler is also 35 years old and when I sell the house is 12 years or so the boiler will be an issue so I figure I may as well do it now and benefit from the savings. The lowest BTU rating for the Buderus is 134k which might be a little overkill.
-
- Member
- Posts: 6515
- Joined: Sun. Feb. 10, 2008 3:48 pm
- Location: Cape Cod, MA
- Stoker Coal Boiler: want AA130
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: DS Machine BS#4, Harman MKII, Hitzer 503,...
- Coal Size/Type: Pea/Nut/Stove
Got space outside for a coal boiler shed?