Electrozone Valves - Keep or Replace?

[Wej Murf]

I have a 25 year old Burnham boiler (hot water system) with 3/4" piping and Electrozone zone valves (3 valves). It's my understanding that parts are no longer available for my zone valve system.

So here's my dilemma: Do I just leave it alone until it breaks and deal with it then? What happens if it breaks in thh middle of winter? I'll pay an arm and a leg because it will become an emergency.

Or do I replace it during the summer at my leisure, even though everything is working now.

And then if I do replace, should I replace only the zone valves or just replace the whole boiler? I got one estimate (need to get more) for $2100 to replace all the controls, or $4500 to replace the entire boiler with brand new everything. Alternatively, I can get rid of the zone values and just have 3 circulator pumps put in, one for each zone. The estimate is about the same for that, or to replace the zone valves with a Honeywell system.

Any advice? Right now everything works. I just don't want to be left on the coldest day of thje year (these things always break when it's 5 degrees outside) with a broken boiler and I can't even get the parts for it.

As for replacing the boiler, I'm not sure I'd get enough increase in efficiency to make it back in a reasonable amount of time. But then again, is it worth it to replace all those controls on a 25 year old boiler?

Again, if someone can help me figure this out, I'd appreciate it. Thanks!

[hrhofmann]

If the valves don't work, it's different than if the entire boiler dies. WHich are you really worried about??

[Ed Pawlowski]

"Wej Murf" wrote

Key word here is the 25 year old boiler. Gas or Oil? What kind of condition is it in? My 30 year old was replaced two years ago, and I'm saving 39% on my oil use. At 3.50 a gallon, that is $1200 a year.

Given that you have three zones, if one drops out you have minor inconvenience, not a catastrophe. Some other zone valve can be retrofitted with minor down time.

Check what is available for rebates, zero interest financing and it may be a good time to replace everything. My System 2000 by Energy Kinetics is paying for itself with fuel savings compared to my older boiler. In a few years, that money is going to be in my pocket, the some oil baron.

[bob haller]

with a 25 year old system i would replace the entire thing, energy costs only go up long term....

replace the boiler in mid summer, or if you want AC investigate converting to forced air...

[RBM]

The flow control system, in your case electrozone is pretty much a separate system from the boiler itself. Even at 25 years, the boiler can be perfectly fine, especially if it is gas. I would have a qualified boiler tech help you with that decision. On the other hand, when the warm weather comes, I would replace the zone valve system. In your case it's not just a simple matter of swapping out a bad valve. The electrozone system is a highbred in that it is not compatible with typical zone control systems, so you cannot intermingle other valves, at least not without a birds nest of wiring and controls. The simplest system would be to use 3 circulators with built in flow checks and a multiple relay control. It's a simple setup, very easy to install and everyone knows how to diagnose problems should one occur. If at a later date you do need to replace the boiler, it should be able to be done without making any major changes to the flow control system. If your boiler is an oil burner, you are correct that there is nothing on the market today that will give you much more efficiency, unless you go to something really high tech, with no history of reliability. If it is gas, there are some fairly reliable gas condensing boilers available, which are very efficient, but sometimes getting qualified service techs is challenging

[Wej Murf]

I'm worried about the zones failing. Last time one valve failed, NO zones worked. I don't understanf why that is, but the plumber said that it affects all the zones if one fails.

[Wej Murf]

It's a gas fired boiler. I had a free energy audit a few years ago. The guy checked the boiler and said it's fairly efficient for its age and that I'd have a minimal increase in efficiency by getting a new boiler. He didn't think it was worth it for the amount I'd save.

[bob haller]

I would get the energy audit again often for me a few years is 10, audits are cheap its worth checking into