Boiler Replacement Avenues — Salt Lake City Case Study

Before and after

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:

1. Old boiler removal and disposal
2. System flush and bleed of cast-iron radiator distribution
3. New ECM circulator pump
4. New diaphragm-type expansion tank
5. New zone valves (two-zone: above/below)
6. PVC sidewall venting installation
7. Combustion air intake
8. Condensate drainage with neutralizer
9. Chimney decommissioning (capped at roof)
10. 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 – Enbridge Gas ThermWise (formerly Dominion Energy) 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

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Who does this work: Aegis Heating and Air’s own W-2 crew — 3 NATE-certified technicians and 6 EPA 608 Universal field technicians, no subcontractors. Utah DOPL S350 License 7482916-5501. Meet the team · Our warranty · (385) 250-0687

Related services: Boiler Installation Salt Lake County · Boiler Repair Salt Lake County, UT · All HVAC services in Salt Lake City
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