Oil Boiler - Repair or Replace?

Specs

The client has an aging boiler of the pressure jet type. Repeated breakdowns and lack of spare parts, led several firms to simply quote for a new replacement boiler.

The most cost effective solution was sought by the client, to getting the heating back on, in their busy offices. Their lease was due for renewal in a couple of years time. The large capital outlay on a new boiler, during difficult trading times seemed almost prohibitive.

Having had several large quotes for the replacement new boiler, they turned to Mobile Plumbers for a solution. What we proposed almost made them faint with relief. Our quote was roughly a third of the lowest quote for replacing the boiler and could be done with minimal interruption to the installation and the working offices.

Existing installation

The boiler is probably one of the first of the pressure jet burner type, installed in the early 1960's. The list of faults was as follows:

• The noise levels were excessive, even with the plant room door closed.
• The oil consumption was very high
• The spare parts had become unavailable over the passage of time
• The fire valve was of the wheel head type and was no longer compliant with Building Regulations.

Solution

• Isolate Oil and Electrical supply to the Oil Boiler
• Remove the old obsolete burner from the Boiler
• Gather as much technical data as possible and liase with the manufacturers
• Replace the burner with a compatible new efficient burner of the same kilowatt output
• Set up and commission new oil burner, as per manufacturers instructions
• Give the boiler a general clean out and service
• Install new remote acting fire valve, to bring the installation in line with building regulations and provide better protection

Customers Comments

• The customers said "we have noticed that the oil level seems to be going down a lot slower than before, this must be due to the boiler being more efficient".
• "The boiler is so much quieter, you can hardly hear the boiler working".
• "What would we have done without your help? We were so worried about the cost of a new boiler, especially during a recession and the lease being so short."

They are happy in the knowledge that the spare parts are widely available, unlike the old burner.

Need we mention their delight about the office being warm again, their office staff no longer complaining about the cold, as well as minimal interruption to the office, during work on the boiler.