Home heating systems

[skijay]

Winter season is approaching and I finally signed a contract for a new heating system for my home. I wanted the most efficient set up available and bit the bullet. I went with a Buderus system. I was going to convert to gas and go with the tankless water heater or do a hybrid of oil for the heat and get a propane tank for the tankless water heater. With the cost of creating that type of system and the amount of time to see a savings, I stuck with oil.

The system I went with is rated at 89% efficiency and I am going with an indirect water heater. I am still confused on the indirect water heater and how it works. I have to have a stainless steel "stack" dropped in my chimney for this set up. Apparently the stack temperature is low and will cause condensation in the chimney. This furnace also takes in fresh air from the outside. It sounds complex, but if it will cut down my oil consumption - I am for it.

Here is what I am getting:

http://www.buderus.net/OurProducts/OilFiredBoilers/G125BE/tabid/491/Default.aspx

Does anybody have a Buderus system - any comments?

 

[Greg]

Who gives a crap about heating systems? All I know is that skijay is back!!! And that means ski season is on its way!

 

[hardline]

Winter season is approaching and I finally signed a contract for a new heating system for my home. I wanted the most efficient set up available and bit the bullet. I went with a Buderus system. I was going to convert to gas and go with the tankless water heater or do a hybrid of oil for the heat and get a propane tank for the tankless water heater. With the cost of creating that type of system and the amount of time to see a savings, I stuck with oil.

The system I went with is rated at 89% efficiency and I am going with an indirect water heater. I am still confused on the indirect water heater and how it works. I have to have a stainless steel "stack" dropped in my chimney for this set up. Apparently the stack temperature is low and will cause condensation in the chimney. This furnace also takes in fresh air from the outside. It sounds complex, but if it will cut down my oil consumption - I am for it.

Here is what I am getting:

http://www.buderus.net/OurProducts/OilFiredBoilers/G125BE/tabid/491/Default.aspx

Does anybody have a Buderus system - any comments?

you should really look at spray insallation. stops air leaks and make the house so much more air tight. i new homes you get more than 3 people in a room and you have to turn the air on in winter. we use it in clubs and they never use heat ever just ac year round

 

[Glenn]

We replaced our boiler about 5 years ago. (That was fun...6 months before our wedding). We went from an older Weil/McClain to a newer Weil/McClain. The difference between the old and the new was amazing. The new unit heated the baseboards quicker and used less oil. We also went from a tankless domestic coil to an indirect fired tank. The domestic coil was terrible....showers were hot for 45 seconds, followed by a minute of lukewarm water. PITA. Then again, the boiler had been run for years of of well water...without a sediment filter. I'm sure it was plugged.

 

[Marc]

I only know of info on Buderus second hand, but it's only positives (aside from the initial cost). Just make sure you have someone local who can repair and service it. That can be a deal breaker sometimes.

I have a big old Fitzgibbons oil boiler that I hope to relegate to back up duty in the next couple years with a high efficiency "gasifying" wood boiler.

 

[wa-loaf]

New gas steam boilers (we own a 2 family) being put in this week. Nothing fancy, just solid burnhams, only 82% efficient because we have steam heat. But they'll be a big improvement over the old asbestos encased snowmen we had before. We've also done a ton of insulating in the past year as well.

 

[skijay]

I have heard about the spray foam insulation. I may get that done before winter for my attic.

Anything to conserve oil!

 

[ckofer]

Winter season is approaching and I finally signed a contract for a new heating system for my home. I wanted the most efficient set up available and bit the bullet. I went with a Buderus system. I was going to convert to gas and go with the tankless water heater or do a hybrid of oil for the heat and get a propane tank for the tankless water heater. With the cost of creating that type of system and the amount of time to see a savings, I stuck with oil.

The system I went with is rated at 89% efficiency and I am going with an indirect water heater. I am still confused on the indirect water heater and how it works. I have to have a stainless steel "stack" dropped in my chimney for this set up. Apparently the stack temperature is low and will cause condensation in the chimney. This furnace also takes in fresh air from the outside. It sounds complex, but if it will cut down my oil consumption - I am for it.

Here is what I am getting:

http://www.buderus.net/OurProducts/OilFiredBoilers/G125BE/tabid/491/Default.aspx

Does anybody have a Buderus system - any comments?

It sounds like you are buying quality gear. An indirect water heater is basically a hot water tank with a radiator inside it.

 

[SundayRiver Yeti]

Buderus is a quality company. My wife and I installed one of their boilers and it was great.

 

[Beetlenut]

... An indirect water heater is basically a hot water tank with a radiator inside it.

I believe the indirect water heater runs off it's own zone, just like a separate thermostat controlled zone in your house.

 

[hardline]

I have heard about the spray foam insulation. I may get that done before winter for my attic.

Anything to conserve oil!

the key is to do all exerior walls. they only thing that sucks about it is if you ever have to run more cable it becomes a pain in the ass.

 

[billski]

I believe the indirect water heater runs off it's own zone, just like a separate thermostat controlled zone in your house.

Bingo. We has. Replaced a tankless hot water unit off a oil burner 12 years ago; never looked back. Tankless could never keep up with demand. Now, we have a 40 gallon tank, indirect and wish I had gone for 60. We still run out. I have 3 teenage girls and a wife. 'nuff said!

 

[Charlie Schuessler]

Two years we replaced our 18-year old, oil burning boiler system consisting of 2-zone heat and tankless water heat with a four zone system system including programmable thermostats and indirect water heat storage tank. Cut the annual gallons by nearly a third and a payback of less than 24-months.

 

[andyzee]

Not sure if I'll have to heat this year, my landlord just got done putting 3 inches of foam on the house for insulation!

 

[Grassi21]

Just put a down pament down on this bad boy...

Jotul 450

Not a "Home heating system" but this bad boy should go a long way in regulating the heat in our Cape style home.

 

[kickstand]

We put in a Buderus Logano G215 a couple winters back and the thing is great. We also have an indirect water heater. The whole system ran about $9k, but it is worth it if not for the efficiency, but for not having to listen to the boiler turn on and off to heat the old tank.

I think I may need to change the water tank at our place in NH to be indirect. Same deal - always listening to it go on and off. Plus, with the cost of propane, anywhere I can save some money is worth it.

 

[skijay]

I have to wait until mid November for my install. I am going to get my chimney relined (I think that is the term) with a stainless steel pipe for the venting of the new boiler a couple of days after the install.

 

[frozencorn]

Any suggestions on a new furnace and which way to go? Our boiler is fine, and the forced heat works, just with some clanging and occasional oil smells. Were told we needed a new furnace, but I'd like to lay out my options before laying down a few grand on whatever the oil company is telling me to get.

 

[Glenn]

Get a bunch of estimates. We just put in a new central A/C unit this year (split system with an air handler) and the prices varried quite a bit. Plus, it was itneresting to see the different plans each company had.

 

[Marc]

Just put a down pament down on this bad boy...

Jotul 450

Not a "Home heating system" but this bad boy should go a long way in regulating the heat in our Cape style home.

Nice choice!

Jotul makes really nice stuff.

I bought one of these:

Hearthstone Heritage

But if I was going the cast iron route, it probably would have been Jotul. If you have any questions about wood burning, let me know. Also, check out the forums at hearth.com.