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Which is Best: Lockinvar of Energy kinetics 2000?
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Posted by chipster_2007 (My Page) on Sat, Nov 7, 09 at 9:38
| I would like to replace my 40 yr old oil FHW boiler with a more efficient one.My house has cast iron radiators. I have looked at many posts here and elsewhere and still remained confused.I am still up in the air about converting at this time to natural gas. I have looked at Energy Kinetics 2000, that can accomodate cast iron radiators (hopefully well) and can simply be converted to an oil or gas boiler by simply changing the burner in it (does not include piping gas to furnace and chimney expenses. I recently received a quote for a Lockinvar * Knight gas boiler system which cannot be converted. This system is eligible for the Federal Tax Credit whereas the Energy System 200 is not. The Energy Kinetics system looks like a less complicated system therefore less likely to have problems with it. Which is better and why. Thanks |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Which is Best: Lockinvar of Energy kinetics 2000?
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Difficult to compare
The 2000 would be a good choice if sticking with oil, but not so good if going to gas compared to the Knight. |
RE: Which is Best: Lockinvar of Energy kinetics 2000?
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| If you plan on staying with oil heat, I apologize for not being able to offer any opinion in that context. I am not an expert, but I recently converted my house from oil boiler to gas boiler. Besides saving loads of space in our basement, the high efficiency gas boiler burns cleaner and I think saves money long term. Our 85 year old house has 11 large cast iron radiators. I got 10 quotes from various contractors and cherry picked discussions on this site for help. We narrowed our choice down to two contractors--one suggested a Knight Lochinvar and the other suggested a Triangle Tube Prestige. We went with the Triangle Tube because I trusted the contractor more than the other one. Both quotes were pretty close. When we were making the final decision, my research suggested that the Knight and TT Prestige were both highly recommended with little or no major issues. My 2 cents would be convert to natural gas and go with the Knight. FYI - TT Prestige as been great so far so I would highly recommend it if you have a contractor who can install it at a fair price. By the way, what state are you in? There are several additional stimulus plans that provide grants and incentives for high efficiency boilers. |
RE: Which is Best: Lockinvar of Energy kinetics 2000?
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| Hi Schroads, I live in MA. The cost of the Knight Lochinvar was 10,500. That included venting the furnace out through the wall, ? 3 ft off the ground vs up the chimney where I would like it to go due to large snow falls/drifts and a fairly recent death on the Cape due to such issues. I know there are safeguards but there is no sure thing. The Energy 2000 would be 6,700 with oil as heat. The rebates and tax incentives are helpful but still don't get it down to the price of oil. BTW, what is the difference between the two boilers since they could/do burn gas? I would really like to know. |
RE: Which is Best: Lockinvar of Energy kinetics 2000?
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| Chipster: I'm in New Jersey and there is a great program through home performance with energy star. I have a link at the bottom. I believe MA is involved, but not sure about the specifics of the program. The quote for the Lochivar was $8250. The quote for the TT Prestige was $7700. By the way, I had quotes ranging from $7500 upto $18000 for various boilers (weil-mclain, buderas, knight and TT). All quotes included new piping, gas line piping, direct venting through the wall, thermostat, circulator, and removal of old boiler and oil tank. As an aside, if you convert to gas and vent through your chimney, you may need a new liner because the exhaust from the gas boiler is different than the oil boiler. I did not research it too much, but you may need to add the cost of a new liner if you go to gas and vent up the chimney. I would check with a professional. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Homer Performance with Energy Star
RE: Which is Best: Lockinvar of Energy kinetics 2000?
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chipster
I think the sytem 2000 is by far your best bet, oil or gas you will reduce your fuel costs, the knight is a condensing boiler which gets most of its efficiency if it actually condenses but with cast iron radiators you wont have a condensing boiler at all so your savings are greatly reduced, how much fuel does the knight claim it will save you? |
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