Anthony is your Boiler Replacement Specialists
        
Boiler replacement is a task that only true craftsman can perform. Anthony Plumbing, Heating and Cooling has been specializing in Boiler System Replacements in the Kansas City area since 1951.
        
We service and install all types of boilers including Knight by Lochinvar.

What you should know before replacing your boiler.
Before you are quoted an estimate, make sure that the contractor has checked for these tasks:
1. Would any asbestos removal be needed?
2. How much of the piping is going to be reinsulated?
3. Does the size of the new boiler match the load requirements of the home? (Load Calculation performed)
4. Consider the difficulty that the demolition of the old equipment will present.

Read the advice of several homeowners after replacing their old boiler systems:
        
"From my experience with my own system, and after reading The Wall and boilerroom.com, it is clear to me that just replacing a boiler won't do if the system doesn't work well afterwards. It may be that the system wasn't working well before, or as in my case, that the system was working well, but inefficiently.

It seems to me that a lot of problems with steam heat come as the result of replacing an older boiler with a modern low-water-content boiler. My present boiler only has about 18" rise from the waterline to the bottom of the header, yet it doesn't cause steam-heating problems. This means that the header probably would be insufficient for a new boiler.

I would want the bid to include all near-boiler piping that must be done to insure dry steam. I would also want the bid to include a thorough cleaning of the new boiler and the system. I would want the bid to provide the options of a vaporstat and a backup low-water cutoff. Intake air should be provided for, and the flue should be evaluated to see if it should be lined or otherwise modified. New main vents should be installed if necessary. I would want to know if a boiler-feed pump would be a possibility if the new system needed help getting the condensate back into the boiler.

I know all this would cost extra, but why would I want to pay for a replacement boiler and end up with a steam system that has problems? At this point I have a relatively quiet, comfortable steam heating system – if one that is somewhat expensive to operate. I would expect the new system to operate as well as this one has."

Have them calculate the load accurately and take the time to measure the radiators’ height, length, width and number of tubes.
        
This was a lesson learned the very hard way a few years back (ok about three years ago). I was demanding heat and could not understand why my service company couldn't just fix the boiler. It was the middle of the winter and the boiler was down for the count. It was an easy in/out installation in a walk-in basement. I just wanted heat back on. So I guess I was installing a new boiler. They told me that as soon as the supply house opened in the morning they would be back and that they would have heat the next day.

The Next day they showed up and installed a new boiler system. I was then happy and all was well. . . NOT!

That evening I called them back. The house was not getting up to temperature. The technicians showed up and played with everything from the pressure to over-firing the boiler. They did everything they should not have done, all in an attempt to pump enough heat into the home.

Finally they measured the radiators, did the math and went to the basement and looked to the data plate. Then they explained that they would be back the next day to install the correct boiler.

Make sure that your service company does these things:
        
• Measure the connected radiation.
• Asks about any problems you have with the current system.
• Asks about (noise, uneven heating, spitting vents, leaks?)
• Which rooms are too hot, which are too cool, where the noises are and where are the leaks?
• Calculate the needed boiler size (based on the connected load), and the near-boiler piping specifications.
• Check the returns, and if any are leaking or buried, have them replace them all.

In addition to the installation, demand a return visit to clean the waterside of the system. Never look at the lowest price when replacing a complex system like this.

First, make sure the boiler is sized right. There may have been additions to the house since the original boiler was installed. Have them inspect the steam piping system for damage, wear, sags, worn valves, etc.

Sizing of the radiators in relation to the heat loss should be your Number One priority in the installation of a steam boiler because this will determine the size of the boiler required.

One of the first things to do would be an accurate heat load on the existing radiation.

Here is my list:

1. Make sure new boiler is properly sized. You should do a radiator take-off for a steam boiler replacement.

2. Check condition of wet returns. If old and dirty, REPLACE.

3. On any system except one-pipe steam, replace or rebuild the traps. On a one-pipe system, replace the radiator vent valves.

4. Check the chimney to make sure it is safe and properly sized for today's boilers.

5. Make sure there is a fire resistant ceiling above the boiler, and that all the codes are adhered to. Upgrade the electrical system, if necessary.

6. After the installation is finished, clean the system, as required.

7. Check and replace thermostat. Use the most energy-efficient control system possible.

8. Figure enough into the budget to have a follow-up visit.

I always want to know why the existing boiler failed.
        
Make sure the new system's sizing will be correct. Find out if there will be system time lag to deal with when downsizing the water capacity of the new boiler. Also check to see how much the piping has been butchered, and the condition of any piping that goes under the floor. This will save you tons of money in water damage down the road!

Have them check the condition of the existing system
        
• Heights of steam lines
• Heights of water line(s)
• Pipe sizing
• Piping methods used in the system (Does it look like it works now, before I install the new boiler?)
• Pipe covering
• Steam traps

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