munchkin NG boiler

16 years ago

We're looking to replace our old oil fired boiler with a gas fired one and I'm liking what I'm reading about the munchkin boilers (one of the brands my plumber recommended, along with peerless and burnham). We'd be looking at the 92% efficient model, which if I am reading this right is modulating but not condensing. I like the idea of the modulating feature since our house is 120 years old and has the original cast iron radiators and probably has a ton of hot water sitting in the large supply pipes at any given time. It seems like it would be especially useful in an old house with this kind of a system.

Does anyone have any comments about this boiler? The one review site I found had pretty much only negative reviews on EVERY brand so that wasn't helpful.

Thanks!

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Comments (3)

RCMJr
16 years ago
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I bought a Munchkin 80M about 1 1/2 years ago. Couldn't be happier . . . tiny, silent, very efficient . . . so far no problem of any kind with it. I'm using it to heat 1800 sq ft in central New York state; Oswego County / snow belt area.

You mention NG; I use LP => the boiler for one or the other are IDENTICAL => the "conversion kit" is really just some labels; the gas feed on the boiler is simply adjusted differently for one fuel vs the other. BTW, you NEED a combustion meter to correctly set one of these up. Simple to do; but you need the equipment.

Can't guarantee what the future will bring; but so far I'm thrilled with it and have had no trouble of any kind . . .

Bob
mr_havac
16 years ago
rcmjr, I've been monitoring this post to see if anyone was going to respond. I'm not at all familiar with this kind of boiler but one of the things I would be concerned about here is the huge amount of water this person must be flowing through those big cast iron radiators. Baseboard is one thing but cast iron,,, thats alot of mass, I wonder how a boiler like that will keep up. Whats your opinion?
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RCMJr
16 years ago
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My take is that if the boiler's got enough BTU's / hr to meet needs; it'll do just fine. From looking the thing over and talking with the installer; this boiler ( and similar ones made by others ) are for the most part; instant water heaters. This one ( and others I believe ) modulate up and down to meet the outgoing temp they are set for. I run radiant in-floor heat with 3 zones doing 1800 sq ft in central New York state. As the temp varies outside, and the different zones kick in; you can see / hear the boiler changing it's "speed" => output.

I'm not running cast iron radiators; but the "load" as seen by the boiler will vary . . as long as it's properly sized for max BTU needs; I'd think it would do just fine => and be FAR smaller quieter than other types . . . as well as pretty darn efficient ( mine is running in the 90's ). The lower the temp you run them at; the more they can recover through condensation => making them especially good for radiant systems like mine. It is also configurable to do DHW in addition ( with additional tank / exchanger ); it uses a separate setpoint for that purpose than the setpoint used for a radiant system.

I'd expect very good performance overall as long as it's properly sized . . . .

Bob

munchkin NG boiler

Comments (3)

RCMJr

mr_havac

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