(11-25-2022, 12:04 PM)Collie Wrote: Starting to educate myself on the best possible replacement for our 35+ year old propane boiler.
Priorities are energy efficiency & price of unit.
Looking for something at least 88% AFUE that is reliable & won't break the bank.
I have some time (knocking on wood) to learn about our best options & get some first hand info from others that have replaced their boilers.
We have baseboard radiators & 3 zones.
Thanks in advance for the replies friendly neighbors!!
-c
I've been delving into this sporadically, and question if boiler replacement is the best use of your hard-earned.
I watched a presentation given by a Julia Moravcsik, on Sept 4 2022. She is a …Colorado energy expert with 350 Colorado,
ts title: "How to Green your Home and Save"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52v35KJcSxU
The graphic below shows the order in which you get the most "bang for the buck".
I was surprised to learn that switching to solar/wind is at the end of the list,
probably because the other recommendations are easier to implement.
I learned from the presentation that new heat pump technology:
> Is rated to 13 below zero - suitable for Colorado.
> Can use small room exchangers running on pipes rather than ductwork.
This tech minimizes disruption and cost compared to the previous method.
A bonus: these function as coolers too. Yeah, the summers are gonna get hotter.
Julia said that local heating firms aren't up to date on heat pumps.
She knows the local market, and her info is from Sept. 2022.
Is a $400 (rebatable) energy audit a better starting point?
BoCo has info on energy audit firms and folks (Sal knows a guy in Allenspark that does this).
The expensive audits involve pressurizing your house with a fan that goes over a door, and using FLIR
cameras to find leaks.
A word on rebates and timeliness:
There are rebates available due to Bidens Energy Plan
If I read this correctly, these could be up to $14,000 for capital retrofits, and $8,000 for projected energy savings.
These rebates won't always be in effect, but through the current presidency they should be.
Collie ... what the hell kind of name is Collie?