Our very old Weil McLain 250k BTU steam boiler crapped out a week ago. It was polite enough to wait until Spring but the quotes we're getting to install a replacement are all over the place - from $7k to $15k (we're in NY so there's a premium and the install is definitely going to be awkward).
A big part of the difference between quotes is the brand we're being recommended. Some plumbers (the expensive ones) are advocating for a straight replacement with a Weil McLain. At the cheaper end we're being recommended a Pennco / Utica 260k BTU model.
There's very very little on the internet by way of useful comparisons and 90% of the reviews are from disgruntled owners of both models who are venting. We hope to not revisit this for 30 years so there'll be no ongoing relationship with the plumber and we're prime candidates to be taken advantage of.
Does anyone work in the industry or is anyone otherwise in a position to give me some objective advice?
"Are you sure we're going fast enough?" - Emil Zatopek
A big part of the difference between quotes is the brand we're being recommended. Some plumbers (the expensive ones) are advocating for a straight replacement with a Weil McLain. At the cheaper end we're being recommended a Pennco / Utica 260k BTU model.
There's very very little on the internet by way of useful comparisons and 90% of the reviews are from disgruntled owners of both models who are venting. We hope to not revisit this for 30 years so there'll be no ongoing relationship with the plumber and we're prime candidates to be taken advantage of.
Does anyone work in the industry or is anyone otherwise in a position to give me some objective advice?
"Are you sure we're going fast enough?" - Emil Zatopek