I know you all like pictures: Here are some of my recent replacement. I have been reading and working on this project since last Oct, and want to thank all the contributors to this forum for some very useful information. The hardest part of this project (for me) was to find an installer contractor that A) would call me back B) would show up when they said C) had even a remote clue what they were talking about (one quote I simply tore up since it was completely inappropriate design) and D) were somewhere south of a new BMW in price. In the end I found an excellent group, and am quite happy with the professionalism and knowledge of the installer. These guys really rocked the install in one day and I can still feed my children. :thumbup: Note also that the equipment is used (boiler 7yrs, DHW indirect 4yrs). Buying used did save significant $. Ask me in 5 years if I feel it was a good idea (but am thinking these things last a long time). and the installer gave a 1yr warranty even on the used equip. My original system was approx 38yrs old and I was chasing a number of issues (expansion tank, misc pipe leaks, hot water not stable, and general inefficiency). It was a Burnham rated at 245k input and a 1.5gal/hr nozzle. My heatload calc (a worst case) is here: [IMG][IMG]http://i708.photobucket.com/albums/ww86/frastick/minus10outdoornoinsul.jpg[/IMG][/IMG] and where I want to get to once I have some insulation upgrades in place here: [IMG][IMG]http://i708.photobucket.com/albums/ww86/frastick/zerooutdoorinsulupgrades.jpg[/IMG][/IMG] Note the indirect tank is 53gal. If I had not found the equipment used I would have opted for a smaller unit, but the efficiency gain wouldnt payback. Here are some plots of oil usage over the last few years - pretty consistent. [IMG][IMG]http://i708.photobucket.com/albums/ww86/frastick/oilusecurves.jpg[/IMG][/IMG] The original 'beast' [IMG][IMG]http://i708.photobucket.com/albums/ww86/frastick/IMG_6308.jpg[/IMG][/IMG] [IMG][IMG]http://i708.photobucket.com/albums/ww86/frastick/IMG_6319.jpg[/IMG][/IMG] Some prep work - cleaning it out. [IMG][IMG]http://i708.photobucket.com/albums/ww86/frastick/IMG_6355.jpg[/IMG][/IMG] And finally the new system. A Buderus boiler with Logamatic, indirect hot water and outdoor temp reset. Seemingly infinite hot water now. At the same time I replaced my thermostats, and am finishing up by insulating the pipes and painting the floor. I will post some finish pics once I get these last pieces complete. [IMG][IMG]http://i708.photobucket.com/albums/ww86/frastick/IMG_6365.jpg[/IMG][/IMG] [IMG][IMG]http://i708.photobucket.com/albums/ww86/frastick/IMG_6366.jpg[/IMG][/IMG] For the first time since I have moved here, my boiler room floor is DRY! Again, a special thanks to the moderators and regulars that have made this forum an invaluable source of information. Beer 4U2

First I have no idea how old this system is. This is an old (really old) farm house that was moved to it's current location 27 years ago. The boiler has 2 pumps (small one and large one) Large unit is working as is the small one however there is no heat in the back part of the house (controlled by the small unit). When the gas bill arrived someone went and lowered the thermostat and no heat ever since. Have tried replacing the thermostat to no avail. 5 wires coming out of the wall...red, green, white and 2 large black ones. Have manually overridden the zone and the heat comes on but the manual switch will not stay on. Any suggestions would be helpful as sleeping back there has become impossible............and I'm afraid my pipes may freeze to the back bathroom.