By Gil Strachan
Could you help me? My home is heated by (gasp) hot water heated by electric boiler. Where could I get a lead on a gas boiler that is not going to bust the bank. Can one be bought used? We already have gas service for our hot water heater and clothes dryer. We look forward to getting a gas range... but the most economic thing is to get that boiler changed. Is there a market for used electric boilers? Any advice or opinion will be appreciated. Thanks.
There are some options... (prices are only "ball park" and are dependant on the size of your house)
1. You could purchase a gas boiler and have it installed for $3500(+), or
2. There is a new type of gas water heater, which has a heat exchanger built-in, to provide heating water. These start at about $2800 and of course, this option might only be practical if your existing water heater is older, or rented - otherwise you'd have a used water heater to dispose of, as well as your electric boiler, or
3. You could rent either of the above for a lesser amount, the difference being recouped within your rental agreement.
4. If your electric unit is in good shape, it might be suitable for someone in a rural location, where there's no gas service available - but overall, they're not a popular item these days.
5. There's a slim chance that you might find a used gas boiler, but not the water heater combo-unit, as they are brand new on the market. Unfortunately, your electric unit cannot be retrofitted to gas.
6. Heating suppliers can give you more specific information on product lines and installed prices.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Gas Boilers
By Josh Riverside
Gas boilers normally extract the air they require for combustion either from inside the heated area or straight from the outside. Extracting air directly from outside, characteristically via a plastic pipe that moves through an outside wall, is more effective and secure.
This system is generally referred to as ‘sealed combustion’, since the gas is burned in a chamber that is blocked to engaged areas. This arrangement almost removes any hazard in the event of combustion gases seeping out into engaged areas.
The efficiency of gas boilers can be greatly increased by incorporating motorized dampers that block the flue pipe outlet when the boiler is not in use. This helps in preventing the loss of heated room air between boiler cycles. Another way to increase the efficiency of gas boilers is by using electric ignition. This does away with the necessity for a standing pilot light.
Gas boiler efficiency can also be enhanced by fan-assisted combustion systems, which do not call for a very big natural draft chimney and can be relieved through a minor flue pipe straight through a wall. Gas boilers, in reality, operate best at full load. When their intensity is lessened, they can drop by as much 20 percentage points in efficiency.
If building requirements are diverse, as is common in commercial buildings, multiple boilers are considered to be highly suitable. Generally, small gas boilers that function effectively are considered a better option than the most suitable of the bigger gas boilers. As has been observed, a number of small boilers can function more competently than a single big system. The reason is that each gas boiler can function frequently close to its full load, which is the most important yardstick for a gas boiler to function in an effective manner.
Gas boilers normally extract the air they require for combustion either from inside the heated area or straight from the outside. Extracting air directly from outside, characteristically via a plastic pipe that moves through an outside wall, is more effective and secure.
This system is generally referred to as ‘sealed combustion’, since the gas is burned in a chamber that is blocked to engaged areas. This arrangement almost removes any hazard in the event of combustion gases seeping out into engaged areas.
The efficiency of gas boilers can be greatly increased by incorporating motorized dampers that block the flue pipe outlet when the boiler is not in use. This helps in preventing the loss of heated room air between boiler cycles. Another way to increase the efficiency of gas boilers is by using electric ignition. This does away with the necessity for a standing pilot light.
Gas boiler efficiency can also be enhanced by fan-assisted combustion systems, which do not call for a very big natural draft chimney and can be relieved through a minor flue pipe straight through a wall. Gas boilers, in reality, operate best at full load. When their intensity is lessened, they can drop by as much 20 percentage points in efficiency.
If building requirements are diverse, as is common in commercial buildings, multiple boilers are considered to be highly suitable. Generally, small gas boilers that function effectively are considered a better option than the most suitable of the bigger gas boilers. As has been observed, a number of small boilers can function more competently than a single big system. The reason is that each gas boiler can function frequently close to its full load, which is the most important yardstick for a gas boiler to function in an effective manner.
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