Here is a picture of the source water line for the boiler feed up there by the rafters. The tap is fully open. What is that first valve to the left of tap? Note is has a little lever on top pointing horizontally to the right. To the left of that is another valve with a different type of lever, this valve also has an outlet running down to the floor so I'm guessing it's an auto overflow valve of some sort. Can anyone tell me by looking if that first valve is open or closed by that little lever? I'm hesitant to even touch it for fear that water will start spraying everywhere.

When we upgrade burners we usually install Beckett burners since they're generally the least expensive, most people can service them and they have the largest and most inexpensive selection of blast tube/electrode assemblies. Depending on the unit sometimes we'll install a Carlin or Riello. We primarily install three pass horizontal boilers like Buderus G115 series and Burnham MPO series. We don't install many vertical pin style boilers with tankless coils unless space is and issue such as a tight closet installation, or price is an issue. We install indirect water heaters with the majority of new boiler installations. For air elimination we use the Honeywell SuperVent and setup circulators pumping away on the supply side. I haven't installed a boiler without a Spirovent or the newer Honeywell SuperVent in years.

That's exactly what I thought, but I have always been very attentive to everything and I am sure the water has been clear in the past (except the time I mentioned). However, I am relieved it doesn't necessarily mean a hole. I'll continue to check over the next few days, but so far there is nothing in po*l, thankfully. Thanks, PB!

20 year old duct system is pretty old, if your ducts are made of flex duct or duct board there is a good chance a duct cleaning will not reach the cleanliness of a new duct system. With that said if you have a 2 story structure, it's unlikely you will have the access needed to replace every piece of the duct system. So there are trade offs going from replacement to cleaning, not to mention truth in cleaning. How are you going to know how clean the duct system is after the cleaning? The ads of duct cleaning typically start around $59 a system. At this price point it would be impossible for duct cleaner to stay in business, but that is the con game of this kind of service. If the duct system isn't thoroughly cleaned, it won't be long until you'll need to do it again. the duct above is a 35 year old duct. This type are impossible to clean well as the inner part of the duct has a cloth like material. This supply plenum was replaced recently. I don't know how recently, but you can clearly see the stuff that was growing in the ducts is making it's way toward the cool dark ac supply box. Here's another picture of same plenum. Nothing is cleaner, healthier than a new duct system. I service the Katy, Texas area.