RFI re energy-efficient boilers (on behalf of SF Mayor's Office of Housing)

[Bruce Mast]

I am forwarding this request for information on behalf of Rob Rich at San
Francisco Mayor's Office of Housing. Anyone with advice or experience to
share may respond directly to Rob.


Rob Rich
SF Mayor's Office of Housing
415-252-3190


Bruce Mast
Green Affordable Housing Coalition
610 16th Street, Suite 412
Oakland, CA 94612
510-271-4785
510-271-0880 fax
www.GreenAffordableHousing.org

Subject Energy Star HW Boiler - Life Cycle Costs?



An existing 1920's era apartment building in SF owned by a nonprofit and
occupied by low income tenants needs a new boiler for domestic hot water.
They looked into an Energy Star rated boiler and found that the marginal
cost increase would be paid back rather quickly by energy savings, thus it
looked like a really good idea.

The housing development folks discussed the issue with their property
management folks. Several issues were raised by property management that
I'm wondering whether anyone might be interested in commenting on? (I am
glad they raised the "ease of maintenance" issue regarding local
availability of parts, though I recognize that a response to that issue
would require more information than I've provided here.)

Here are the positives and negatives on installing this type of Energy Star
boiler:

NEGATIVES:
1) Higher upfront cost
2) Higher maintenance cost (sealed combustion chamber) . The whole front
of the boiler must come off.
3) More specialized parts (microprocessor, fan controls, OEM) expensive
parts.
4) Neutralized drain must be provided
5) Availability of parts: Is there a local distributor for your brand? Does
the supplier stock OEM parts locally?
This is huge if you cant get parts locally as boiler down time will be
longer if shipped with additional cost for that.
And not a lot of wholesalers.

POSITIVES:
1) Saves energy
2) Quiet operation
3.) Life is approx. 15 years

I don't know what the life expectancy is of this equipment, and what the
payback time is.

Any feedback would be appreciated. For example, I'm wondering whether the
sealed combustion chamber might provide other "positives"; possibly
improved IAQ (lower levels of CO)?

thanks!
Rob Rich
SF Mayor's Office of Housing
415-252-3190