The rental property I just purchased has a 28 year old Burnham Natural Gas Boiler. The tenants were not getting enough heat, called in a service and had the thermostat replaced and are now getting enough heat. However the heating company after visually inspecting the boiler recommended that several parts are not working and the boiler should be replaced. The fast fill doesn't work, the gauge indicates very little water almost 0, the automatic shut off doesn't work (another plumber said the tank would have shut down by now if it did) the back flow preventer doesn't work, and the air vent is not functioning, the damper is in question . The copper pipes have indication of some leaking ( green patina has formed in some places) and the external bladder is a 15 and should be a 30; and the boiler should be bled.
The boiler itself is working. It was mentioned to me that the new systems are not nearly as good as the old and if I can have the malfunctioning parts replaced I should hold onto the Burnham, it can last 50 years. Heating service companies recommended a new Weil McClain and offer 1 year warranty on labor ,2 years on parts, and 20 years for the heat exchanger.
A new Weil McClain with new copper pipes, parts, etc will cost $5500.00. The boiler service is willing to:
"REPLACE THE FEED VALVE, BACK FLOW PREVENTER, AIR ELIMINATOR AND THE EXPANSION TANK
DRAIN THE SYSTEM AND REFILL AFTER THE PARTS HAVE BEEN CHANGED " for $550.00
However the 3 different service companies I spoke with including the above are very hesitant about repairs and believe strongly in replacing the entire system.
This is a difficult situation, I clearly would like to avoid having to put so much money into a property I own for just one year, at the same time it is important the tenants do not have to go through days of no heat because the boiler broke.
Of course the service companies will make more money if they replace the system then if they repair, and there is more risk for them if something is damaged during the repair.
Any feedback on this? Whatever your suggestions I would appreciate, Thank you
The boiler itself is working. It was mentioned to me that the new systems are not nearly as good as the old and if I can have the malfunctioning parts replaced I should hold onto the Burnham, it can last 50 years. Heating service companies recommended a new Weil McClain and offer 1 year warranty on labor ,2 years on parts, and 20 years for the heat exchanger.
A new Weil McClain with new copper pipes, parts, etc will cost $5500.00. The boiler service is willing to:
"REPLACE THE FEED VALVE, BACK FLOW PREVENTER, AIR ELIMINATOR AND THE EXPANSION TANK
DRAIN THE SYSTEM AND REFILL AFTER THE PARTS HAVE BEEN CHANGED " for $550.00
However the 3 different service companies I spoke with including the above are very hesitant about repairs and believe strongly in replacing the entire system.
This is a difficult situation, I clearly would like to avoid having to put so much money into a property I own for just one year, at the same time it is important the tenants do not have to go through days of no heat because the boiler broke.
Of course the service companies will make more money if they replace the system then if they repair, and there is more risk for them if something is damaged during the repair.
Any feedback on this? Whatever your suggestions I would appreciate, Thank you