I live in Southeastern, PA in a 75 year old home. We moved in a few years ago when oil was pretty reasonable, well not so much anymore. In order to save some money this winter, we're looking at many options to reduce our bills. We're planning on replacing the existing single-pane windows as well as insulate the attic and walls. Additionally I would like to replace my existing Burnham Oil Boiler with a natural gas model. I need to go direct-vent/power-vent, as my chimney is unlined brick and is deteriorating quickly. My setup is a Burnham RSM-126, single-zone radiator distribution, with a domestic hot-water coil in the boiler. I'm pretty handy, and my father owns a construction company, so ideally I'd like to do the replacement myself. However, neither of us has installed/updated a hydronic heating system. I've had quotes to replace the boiler and they've come in quite high (8k just to replace the boiler - 10k w/indirect HW tank). I'm looking for advice on what I should do. The quotes I’ve been getting are for the more efficient modulating heat boilers (Peerless and Munchkin), but I'm only planning on living in the house for 5 or 6 more years. Should I install a Sealed Combustion unit (seem to be way less expensive). Ideally I'd like to be @ about 85% AFUE. Also would it make more sense to put in a traditional power-vent hot water tank, rather than an indirect? If we decide to complete the work ourselves, what should we be aware of? Do I need to install a new expansion tank, or can the existing one be used (in decent shape). How do I refill the HW system after I’ve drained it and installed the new boiler? Are there any major “issues” or “common blunders” that I should be aware of? Thanks, Brian

I have a 14 years old Trianco HeatMaker Mark II, as the only gas operated equipment in my home in New Hampshire. I use it since 2004, and my average yearly Propane consumption was 650 - 750 gallons for a year. Last September the plumbing company I have contract with, did the usual yearly checkup, and they told me that my efficiency is way low, and it is probably caused by a problem with the steel pipe what the furnace is using to get air from outside. Since they have replaced the same pipe less than a year before, they replaced it again for free. They also told me that it fixed the efficiency problem. Now checking back my records, my consumption went out of the roof around that time. I used 1600 gallons during the winter, and we did not have any major change in our consumption habits. When I realized at the end of March, that I used more gas by the end of March than I usually use during a whole year, I called the Propane company. They sent out someone to check for leaks and signs of inefficiency, but he did not find anything, just changed the gas pressure a bit what goes into the home. He recommended to call the plumbing company to check the furnace again. They came, and checked, and modified the pressure inside the furnace to fine tune it. That was supposed to solve the problem. 1 month later the furnace just stopped. American HomeShield sent someone to fix it, and he increased the pressure inside the furnace, telling us it did not worked because of insufficient pressure. I just got my bill, I used 225 gallons since the end of March, practically for 1 months of low level heating and 2 months of hot water only. Looks like I am using over 50 gallons of propane just to produce hot water for a family of 5 for a month. The exhaust gas that comes out of the furnace smells bad. Not the raw gas smell, but something else , the furnace guy told me it is the smell of an unburnt but heated gas. Right now I have no idea what to do. Looks like anyone who is touching the furnace is willing to play only with the gas pressure, without checking anything else. Is there any idea what can be a problem, what should I ask the plumbing company to check? Thank you for any advice