A Salt Lake City customer in a 1912-built Upper Avenues home contacted us about boiler replacement. The existing cast-iron atmospheric-vent boiler had been installed in the late 1990s and was reaching end of service life with increasing repair needs. The home’s cast-iron radiator distribution was original and in excellent condition. The customer wanted to maintain the hot-water heating system but upgrade to modern equipment with better efficiency.
Customer Situation
- Home: 1912-built Upper Avenues, approximately 2,200 sq ft on three levels (main, upper, half-finished basement)
- Existing equipment: Late-1990s Weil-McLain atmospheric-vent cast-iron boiler, original cast-iron radiator distribution
- Symptom: Boiler showing increased service calls; lower efficiency than modern equipment; original chimney showing deterioration
- Customer priorities: Maintain hot-water heating, modern efficiency, preserve historic character
Equipment Selection
Selected: Buderus GB142 modulating condensing boiler
– 95% AFUE
– PVC venting (sidewall, eliminates chimney use)
– Modulating burner matches load 35-100%
– Premium German-engineered equipment
– Federal 25C tax credit eligible
Project Scope
Full replacement project addressing all related systems:
- Old boiler removal and disposal
- System flush and bleed of cast-iron radiator distribution
- New ECM circulator pump
- New diaphragm-type expansion tank
- New zone valves (two-zone: above/below)
- PVC sidewall venting installation
- Combustion air intake
- Condensate drainage with neutralizer
- Chimney decommissioning (capped at roof)
- New Ecobee thermostat with zone configuration
Installation
Duration: 2.5 days. Carefully managed to maintain heat during installation (mid-October, mild weather). Original radiators preserved and continued in service.
Commissioning
All combustion measurements within altitude-corrected specifications. System pressure verified. All radiators heating properly. Zone operation confirmed.
Final Cost
Customer’s cost: $14,800
Rebates:
– Federal 25C tax credit: $600
– Dominion Energy Therm-Wise rebate: $200
Effective net cost: $14,000
Customer Outcome
First winter: 31% reduction in gas usage vs. prior year (weather-adjusted). Boiler significantly quieter than atmospheric-vent predecessor. Radiator heat distribution unchanged — customer specifically preferred this. Two-zone operation enables temperature differences between living and bedroom areas.
What This Case Study Demonstrates
- Modern boiler replacement preserves hydronic heating comfort while delivering efficiency improvements
- Existing radiator distribution preserved — no reason to replace working cast-iron radiators
- Chimney decommissioning when no longer needed for venting
- 31% efficiency improvement from atmospheric-vent to modulating condensing
- Two-zone retrofit during boiler replacement adds comfort control
Boiler Replacement Considerations?
If you have a boiler system in your Salt Lake City home approaching end of service life, call (385) 250-0687.
- Phone: (385) 250-0687
- Address: 4454 Manhattan Ct, West Valley City, UT 84120