Options for Oil boiler replacement

Igotadose

I'm considering replacing an old Firebird 90 oil (kerosene) boiler with something new.

There are many options including:
1. A new Firebird in-situ, inside the house as described below
2. A Grant Condensing Oil Boiler that's an 'in-situ' replacement
3. A Grant external model that would sit on the footpad alongside the house
4. A Grant 'Boiler House' model that would be in a nearby Steeltech shed


Herself and I really don't like the idea of replacing in situ with any boiler. Because of the high winds in our area and a bad design decision, the exhaust from the boiler can, on windy days, get blown back into the boiler and escape into the room. The boiler is located in a small room with an outside door that also has the washer/dryer in it, it's under a counter next to the door and it may also be the door seal isn't tight enough to prevent the exhaust gas penetration.
The existing flue just sticks out from the side of the house. The 'bad design decision' was to not put in a more vertical flue where the gases vented out higher up, though there are windows in the attic above that are occasionally open, so that's potentially a problem as well.

So, we're leaning towards evicting the boiler from the house and moving it outside the house. Option 3 could work, but we're concerned the high winds, and the salty air (we're not far from the ocean) would be a problem for an external boiler. Plus it would be mounted near the back door and exhaust could, theoretically, get into the house.

We're favoring the 'boiler house' model as it solves all our concerns. The shed is fairly roomy and we could give up a corner for the boiler. It's a steel-walled shed so the flue would have to be mounted on it, I don't know if that's a problem. It's also about 28 feet to the side of the house where the existing boiler exhausts.

So, down to questions:

1. Can you do a boiler house model that far away? There's electricity to the shed, it's built on a concrete pad and very solid, wind isn't a problem. No windows in the shed either

2. What about replacing oil with propane? Neighbors here "mostly" use oil, but this is a mix of permanent residents like us, and holiday homes who make very little use of the boiler in general.

Any comments on manufacturers? Our service guy (who helped me through some recent problems) recommended Grant, they seem popular. Is there any difficulty getting product from them due to Brexit? Ordering things from the UK is an adventure these days, delivery times are random and something like a Boiler would have taxes on it.


Thanks for reading this lengthy post!

punisher5112

Put a new flue in and higher.

Where it is now is probably the best spot for it as it's in away from the elements.

Igotadose

punisher5112 wrote: »

Put a new flue in and higher.

Where it is now is probably the best spot for it as it's in away from the elements.

Thanks for your reply.


Do you know if you can run a boiler in the shed at that distance?

Mike2006

Hi,

Yes you can run the boiler from as far away as you wish from the house.
The main downsides are all about heat loss:

1. The heat loss through the flow and return pipes to/from the boiler. A high specification 'zero-loss' insulated pipe will minimise this but it will not be zero.

2. The longer the run, the longer the length of pipework from the boiler to the cylinder which means that a larger volume of cold water will need to be heated. Depending on your system, this cold 'slug' of water may or not slow down the initial heat recovery for your hot water in the cylinder. Not a big issue but it is another heat loss in the system..

The suggestion above to extend the flue is a good one. If you have an inside condensing boiler, 'fumes' should not be a big issue for you but again, make sure that your condensate line is well routed to an appropriate drain.

Mike

Tom44

Mike2006 wrote: »

Hi,

Yes you can run the boiler from as far away as you wish from the house.
The main downsides are all about heat loss:

1. The heat loss through the flow and return pipes to/from the boiler. A high specification 'zero-loss' insulated pipe will minimise this but it will not be zero.

2. The longer the run, the longer the length of pipework from the boiler to the cylinder which means that a larger volume of cold water will need to be heated. Depending on your system, this cold 'slug' of water may or not slow down the initial heat recovery for your hot water in the cylinder. Not a big issue but it is another heat loss in the system..

The suggestion above to extend the flue is a good one. If you have an inside condensing boiler, 'fumes' should not be a big issue for you but again, make sure that your condensate line is well routed to an appropriate drain.

Mike

Grant and Firebird boilers are made in Ireland. So no worries about brexit.
Outdoor boilers can have plume kits (chimney extension) fitted too.
Condensation doesn't have to be piped to a drain if not convenient, a soakaway bucket filled with limestone can be used, see manafactures instructions.

Tom44

Mike2006 wrote: »

Hi,

Yes you can run the boiler from as far away as you wish from the house.
The main downsides are all about heat loss:

1. The heat loss through the flow and return pipes to/from the boiler. A high specification 'zero-loss' insulated pipe will minimise this but it will not be zero.

2. The longer the run, the longer the length of pipework from the boiler to the cylinder which means that a larger volume of cold water will need to be heated. Depending on your system, this cold 'slug' of water may or not slow down the initial heat recovery for your hot water in the cylinder. Not a big issue but it is another heat loss in the system..

The suggestion above to extend the flue is a good one. If you have an inside condensing boiler, 'fumes' should not be a big issue for you but again, make sure that your condensate line is well routed to an appropriate drain.

Mike

Grant and Firebird boilers are made in Ireland. So no worries about brexit.