Replace oil boiler, or other alternatives

Widescreen

Here's a link to the Firebird Condenser boiler range, https://www.firebird.ie/index.php/product-list-enviromax-kitchen.html




Thanks, do you happen to know if this boiler has a built in Expansion Vessel?

Can't find anything on the link that says it does. I know the Grant Vortex one does have one built in.

My existing relic boiler has one linked to it, (probably as old as the boiler) and I want to keep the same sealed system in future.

Wearb

They can be bought with it as a system boiler afaik, but it's almost always better to have a remote expansion vessel. tThey are cheaper to replace and work on. I rarely come across a system boiler.

Widescreen

Just on the whole oil boiler thing, are there dates specified in Ireland where you can no longer buy a new oil boiler to - 1) put in a new house and 2) put in existing house, and also 3) put a used boiler into any house

checking as was also thinking of a used one in if someone was upgrading to heat pump/etc and was selling a decent reasonably new kerosene boiler

Widescreen

Just on the whole oil boiler thing, are there dates specified in Ireland where you can no longer buy a new oil boiler to - 1) put in a new house and 2) put in existing house, and 3) put a used boiler into any house?

thanks

ednwireland

Wearb wrote: »

Just for reader information, 15 years old isn't really old for an oil boiler...unless it's has been neglected over the years. If minded (serviced annually or even bi-annually) it can still look nearly new after this time.

i wish that were true had a grant and a turco running on diesel the grant lasted 6 years and the turco about the same (in a boiler house) so we now have a external condensing boiler on kerosene (noticeably more expensive to run)
all were serviced annually and the grant one was literally falling apart when it came out the internal structure had rotted.

CoBo55

ednwireland wrote: »

i wish that were true had a grant and a turco running on diesel the grant lasted 6 years and the turco about the same (in a boiler house) so we now have a external condensing boiler on kerosene (noticeably more expensive to run)
all were serviced annually and the grant one was literally falling apart when it came out the internal structure had rotted.

You'll probably offset the higher running costs with longevity. Do you leave the boiler off for the summer? Thats when most corrosion takes place inside the boiler. I worked in a factory and boilers literally fell apart too, we were burning diesel, the service man recommended that during the summer we run the boiler for an hour a week of course the stingy boss wouldn't do it, we ended up converting to kerosene after which was a lot better.

Wearb

ednwireland wrote: »

i wish that were true had a grant and a turco running on diesel the grant lasted 6 years and the turco about the same (in a boiler house) so we now have a external condensing boiler on kerosene (noticeably more expensive to run)
all were serviced annually and the grant one was literally falling apart when it came out the internal structure had rotted.

That is true. If you had such misfortune, it's most likely down to something else, like a bad install or a leak somewhere, or bad extension vessel, pumping over etc.
Please start another thread if you want to discuss this further.

ongarite

Widescreen wrote: »

Just on the whole oil boiler thing, are there dates specified in Ireland where you can no longer buy a new oil boiler to - 1) put in a new house and 2) put in existing house, and 3) put a used boiler into any house?

thanks

2023 onwards for new builds is what I've seen mentioned.

maxamillius

ongarite wrote: »

2023 onwards for new builds is what I've seen mentioned.

Are they trying to phase out oil boilers?

bertsmom

Oh crap really? I've a grant boiler here that's got another year or two left in it but I'd rather change it now if they are going to be disallowed in a year or two. God that's a bummer

CoBo55

bertsmom wrote: »

Oh crap really? I've a grant boiler here that's got another year or two left in it but I'd rather change it now if they are going to be disallowed in a year or two. God that's a bummer

New builds.

Widescreen

I guess we would all prefer to go green, as the price of oil is only going to go one way.

Problem I have is that there is very little information out there, that is easily available and understandable to the layman, on the likes of heat pumps.

For example I assume a heat pump won't use your existing radiators and pipes will it?

CoBo55

Widescreen wrote: »

I guess we would all prefer to go green, as the price of oil is only going to go one way.

Problem I have is that there is very little information out there, that is easily available and understandable to the layman, on the likes of heat pumps.

For example I assume a heat pump won't use your existing radiators and pipes will it?

I wouldn't agree that it's a certainty that oil price will only rise, with a decent boiler and properly balanced rads etc it's still a very affordable and convenient way to heat your home.

Widescreen

Can anyway recommend any good oil boiler installer/plumber in Limerick/Clare area to install one of these boilers and flush out the system maybe change a couple of rads?

declan b

HBC08 wrote: »

Got the actual qoute today after the boiler man came to have a look.
€1500 fully fitted for Warmflow boiler, he'll do a Grant boiler for about €300 more.
The old boiler working but on the way out,I have attached pic.

Water is leaking between the flue and the top of the heatpac.This is what is causing the corrosion.This can be sealed with a nice bead of hi-temp silicone.
The corrosion looks superficial.I dont see a reason why this boiler cant run like new after a proper service.
The argument for fitting a new boiler is that it would be 15 percent more efficient approx

New warmflow boiler,new circulation pump.remote acting fire valve,boiler commisioned for 1500 is not possible

CoBo55

declan b wrote: »

Water is leaking between the flue and the top of the heatpac.This is what is causing the corrosion.This can be sealed with a nice bead of hi-temp silicone.
The corrosion looks superficial.I dont see a reason why this boiler cant run like new after a proper service.
The argument for fitting a new boiler is that it would be 15 percent more efficient approx

New warmflow boiler,new circulation pump.remote acting fire valve,boiler commisioned for 1500 is not possible

+1

galteeboy

Have a Gerkros boiler and started leaking from part circled in picture. Boiler was in house when moved in and house is 25 years old and there is a good bit of rust on it so not sure if it is worth repairing. What would a ball park figure to replace with a new Grant Boiler before? There is 11 rads on the system.

Lenar3556

That particular part could be replaced quite easily, but really the boiler looks to be in poor condition and due for replacement regardless.

There are different views on how much replacing it should cost, and it depends on what ancillary work is also required. The boiler itself is in the region of €1,300, but by the time you add on the various bits and pieces it is likely to cost about twice that by the time all is fully completed.

bluestrattos

An update on this thread. Yesterday I got an oftec engineer to service my Firebird heatpac 50-70, with a Riello G5X. Previously it was serviced by a non oftec tech.

My current efficiency is 90.7%, I was very surprised as I would expect to be in the 80s considering the old age, but no, still working fine.

The guy said overall looks good, and it should last a few more years, as long as we keep it serviced or at least, have someone just to do a check.

CoBo55

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120306778#Comment_120306778

A great boiler in fairness, my old machine is still flying it at 23 years old, serviced on the button every August.

Wearb

Can you post the combustion results. That number seems odd.

Redact any identification information.

bluestrattos

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120306889#Comment_120306889

Are these the values you're looking for ?

Wearb

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120307582#Comment_120307582

Yes. Those are not too bad except that he didn't run it long enough to heat it up. That gives an inflated efficiency value.

Do you have nozzle size and pump pressure. It will be on bottom of CD11 report.

bluestrattos

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120307676#Comment_120307676

I don't have the values for that. The only values are the ones in that little paper

Wearb

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120311683#Comment_120311683

If that's the only documentation he gave you, he isn't leaving you the proper information.

Anyway assuming he didn't leave it long enough to heat up (naughty) that should be fine until next annual service. He should provide that info without asking, but insist on it next time if using the same person.

Do you know how long it took him?

jimf

once that boiler is up to running temp of nearer 220 dg your eff will more likely be in the mid to low 80s

bad habit not to get boiler up to running temp before doing flugas analysis

bluestrattos

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120312150#Comment_120312150

I received the report in the post. 3 pages: CD/11, CD14,TI/133D. In the section with values, he added that paper from the machine.

He was here for maybe 1h and 15minutes.

Wearb

He should have filled in the information that's not included in that printout.

He was very quick. Would only have time for the bare basics and it would have needed to be in good nick before he started. Also its obvious that he didn't wait for it to come up to temperature.

Did he leave the plastic nozzle holder anywhere about?

1874

This thread is the closest to what my enquiry is about, moved into a house late last year that has OFCH, didn't seem very efficient during last winter, and while Im thinking of an air to water HP, wont be this year. I might have to just keep running it while putting money away for a HP until it needs something that the cost wouldnt be worth spending on it anymore. The Boiler is a Firebird Heatpac 120, the label says 26kw-35kw and I think it could be 20+years old, but it may be reliable, but seems likely its not efficient. The kw size seems massive? for a 3 bed dormer bungalow. The boiler is still running and I was mainly thinking of just getting it serviced at the moment. I have turned it on a few times when it felt a bit cold recently so it runs (fingers crossed). Over last winter noticed some rads get hot, others not so much, so thats more a balancing problem. What concerned me more (for the heat loss) was I noticed 2 rads on side of house where boiler is, are teed off externally in qualpex (insulation poor) and buried in concrete, will be losing lots of heat as the poor insulation that can be seen behind the enclosure with the boiler is deteriorated, the insulation inside the boiler looks poor too.While I expect the general parts like nozzles,oil lines, filters will be available, will other parts be available for this make/model? like the insulation panels? or would I be as well to beef it up with mineral wool sheet, as there looked to be plenty of space, (I checked donedeal/gumtree to see if I could see the same boiler for spare insulation or even baffles but I didnt find anything).

While I got the impression new oil boilers would be banned, looking it up, it appears replacements will still be available to properties with an oil boiler, although Id rather get as long as I can out of this one and replace with a HP, than replace it with something that will last 15-20 years.

The boiler appears to have been serviced at least a few years ago, although its rough enough looking imo. Im not sure thats frequent enough for an oil boiler, I'm tempted to at least check to see how much soot is in there, how much approximately would an oil boiler service cost? if I dont need anything major?

John.G

Mine is a 18 year old (Firebird) 90S, 20.5/26kw, jetted to the lower output, ultra reliable and no intention of replacing it with a condensing unit just yet, you will get ~ a 7 to 10% (maybe 15%) efficiency gain, say €150/annum saving. A good service to your own, cost, maybe €200ish, ensure your service person runs the boiler until fully hot after its service and to then include the flue gas temperature in the fluegas analysis, very easy then to see its efficiency.

Grant and I think firebird do a Hybrid, oil boiler/Heat Pump which I might have a look at in the next few years