Oil Fired Boiler Ratings, A Repairman Ranks The Brands...

We have also included the manufacturers' web address and our comments regarding the advantages/disadvantages of their products.

For a fair comparison, we have separated the units into two groups of ratings. The first group is for BASIC units which are the least efficient and least expensive models. The second group is for CONDENSING boilers which have a higher operating efficiency but typically cost more.

We have given each brand a rating of from 1* to 5*. A 5* rating means that, if we were shopping for a unit for our own home, that is the brand we would choose (if it was available). When more than one brand has a 5* rating, we would choose the least expensive model. When an "NA" appears in the place of a rating, it means that the manufacturer does not make a unit in that group or there is not enough available information to rate the product.

AMERICAN STANDARD-americanstandardair.com-5*-------N/A-- This brand is now a part of TRANE which is a part of INGERSOLL RAND. Their boiler has a cast iron three pass heat exchanger for enhanced efficiency and durability. The standard warranty is very good and can even be extended. The oil burner itself is sold separately which doesn't make much sense. They have a dealer locator by zip code on their website.

AXEMAN-ANDERSON---axeman-anderson.com----1*---------N/A-- The WL SERIES units have a built in domestic hot water coil. The NPO SERIES is available in direct vent models and has an efficiency of up to 88.7%. The CENTAURUS units have a built in 41 gallon domestic hot water storage tank.

ARCA--------------arcacaldie.it---------<1*---------N/A-- This brand is made in Italy and is available in Europe. They offer standard heating only models as well as models with a heat exchanger for quick domestic hot water production. The manufacturers' website is very little help and does not have a stated warranty policy.

BENJAMIN----------benjaminheating.com----1*---------N/A-- This brand is manufactured in Canada and is also sold in the U.S.A. They offer two models (OB1000 and OB2000) with an AFUE of up to 87%. Some of the models have optional balanced flue or power venting for flexibility in installation. They also have an optional domestic hot water coil available. The standard warranty is not very good.

BRYANT------------bryant.com-------------4*---------N/A-- This brand is a part of CARRIER CORPORATION. The PREFERRED SERIES BW4/5 units have an efficiency of 86%. The units are backed by a very good warranty. They have a dealer locator by zip code on their website.

BUDERUS-----------buderus.net------------1*----------5*-- This brand is a part of the BOSCH GROUP. The GB125BE units are high efficiency condensing boilers with an AFUE of up to 93%. They include "LOGAMATIC CONTROL" which adjusts the boilers' water temperature using indoor and outdoor sensors to more closely match the required load. The units use metal venting.

BURNHAM-----------burnham.com------------3*---------N/A-- The MPO and MPO-DV units have a three pass cast iron heat exchanger for efficiency and durability. The MPO-DV units are for direct vent applications. The V8 SERIES units can be used for either water or steam systems and have optional sealed combustion for efficiency. They have a dealer locator by zip code on their website.

CARRIER-----residential.carrier.com------4*---------N/A-- The PERFORMANCE 86 units are cast iron boilers with an AFUE of up to 86%. They have a swing open burner door to make it easier to clean the unit. An optional domestic hot water coil is available. They have a very good warranty and a dealer locator using zip codes on their website.

COLUMBIA----------columbiaboiler.com-----3*---------N/A-- The EMERALD SERIES units have a one piece ceramic fiber chamber for durability and a built in air scoop system to eliminate air from the heating system. The WB SERIES units have a three pass heat exchanger for efficiency and can either be direct vented or chimney vented. The CASCO BAY SERIES (CBX) units include a 5 gallon per minute hot water coil and have a swing open boiler door for ease of maintenance. They have a dealer locator by state on their website.

CROWN-------------crownboiler.com--------3*---------N/A-- This brand is a part of BURNHAM HOLDINGS. The FREEPORT SERIES units are available in chimney vent models (CT) or direct vent models (ODV). They have a three pass heat exchanger for efficiency and a swing open burner door for ease of maintenance. The KINGSTON KSZ units are for steam systems with a chimney vent. The TOBAGO SERIES units are single pass (less efficient) hot water boilers. They have a dealer locator by zip code on their website.

DE DIETRICH dedietrich-heating.com------<1*---------1*--- This brand is made in France by DE DIETRICH THERMIQUE GROUP. The GT 120 units are your basic units with sealed combustion. The GTU C 120 is a condensing boiler. The GTU C 120V has an integrated 130 litre domestic hot water tank.

DETTSON-----------dettson.ca-------------5*---------N/A-- This brand is from INTERNATIONAL COMFORT PRODUCTS (ICP) and is sold in Canada. The HMR series units are for heating and the HMT series can provide heating and hot water. The standard warranty on these units is tops in the industry.

DUNKIRK-----------dunkirk.com------------2*---------N/A-- This brand is from ECR INTERNATIONAL. The EMPIRE II SERIES units are available for steam or hot water systems. The EXCELSIOR SERIES units have a three pass heat exchanger for efficiency, a swing open burner door for easy maintenance, and an optional direct vent kit. They have a dealer locator by zip code on their website.

FIREBIRD----------firebird.ie-----------<1*----------1*-- This brand is available in Ireland, the U.K., and New Zealand. They offer a wide variety of units. The ENVIROMAX range consists of condensing boilers. The warranty on the heat exchanger is not as good as most brands.

GERKROS-----------gerkros.ie------------N/A----------1*-- This brand offers models for open vent heating systems as well as closed systems, and combination dhw units. They offer models for either indoor or outoor mounting.

HYDROTHERM--------hydrotherm.com---------3*---------N/A-- This brand is a part of MESTEK. The SABRE PB SERIES units are available for steam or hot water systems. They have an optional domestic hot water coil available. They have a dealer locator by state on their website.

JASPI-------------kaukora.fi------------<1*---------N/A-- This brand is made in Finland and is available in parts of Europe. The ECO 17 LUX and ECO 30 LUX units are three pass boilers that have an integrated domestic hot water coil. The manufacturers' website is not much help to the consumer and does not have a stated warranty policy.

KERR--------------kerrheating.com--------3*---------N/A-- The NOVA units are compact units with an AFUE of up to 85% but are only designed for chimney venting. The COMET 145 units have an AFUE of 87% and are direct vent capable. Both models have optional domestic hot water coils available. Their dealers are mostly located in the Northeast part of the U.S. and in Canada.

LAARS-------------laars.com--------------1*---------N/A-- This bradn is a subsidiary of BRADFORD WHITE CORP. The MAX units can be chimney vent or direct vented with a balanced flue univent kit. They have a swing open burner door for ease of maintenance.

LENNOX------------lennox.com-------------2*---------N/A-- The COWB2 units are a part of their CONSERVATOR line of hvac equipment. They use sealed combustion and have a swing open burner door for ease in maintenance. They have an optional domestic hot water coil available. They have a dealer locator using zip codes on their website to help you find an installer.

MISTRAL-----------mistralboilers.com---<1*----------<1*-- This brand is made and sold in the U.K. They offer a wide variety of units including indoor and outdoor mounted units in both condensing and non-condensing versions. The manufacturers' website is not much help to the consumer and the guarantee on the units is not very good.

MONITOR----------monitorproducts.com---N/A-----------3*-- The FCX units are condensing boilers using sealed combustion pvc venting. They have dual temperature circuit capability where you can have a different water temperature setpoint for two different applications. They have a dealer locator by state on their website but a limited number of dealers.

NEWMAC-----------newmacfurnaces.com------1*---------N/A-- This brand is available in the U.S. and Canada. The units feature a stainless steel combustion chamber for durability. The burner door swings open for easy access. The NBR-2001 model includes a 5 gallon/minute domestic hot water coil. The warranty on this brand is not very good when compared to the other options.

NEW YORKER--------newyorkerboiler.com----1*---------N/A-- This brand is a part of BURNHAM HOLDINGS. The CL SERIES units are available in models for hot water or steam systems. The units have a swing open burner door for ease of maintenance and an optional domestic hot water coil is available. The MICROTEK 3 SERIES units are available in either chimney vent or direct vent models. The warranty on the units is not very good.

NTI---------------nythermal.com----------1*---------N/A-- These units are made in Canada. The FD SERIES units are forced draft units with a built in domestic hot water coil. They are available in models for either steam or hot water systems. The CAPRICE units can be direct vented with a kit and have an AFUE of up to 89%. The ODYSSEY SERIES units are direct vent units with a three pass heat exchanger. They have a swing out burner door for ease in maintenance and standard microprocessor control. The standard warranty is not very good but can be extended.

OLSEN-------------olsenhvac.com----------5*---------N/A-- This brand is from ECR INTERNATIONAL and is available in Canada only. The OSFH units are chimney vented and have an AFUE of up to 86%. They have an optional domestic hot water coil available. They have a swing open burner door for easy maintenance access. The OSW series units are direct vented. They are backed by a very good warranty and it can even be extended through their "COMFORT PLUS" program. They have a dealer locator by province on their website.

PEERLESS----------peerlessboilers.com----3*----------4*-- This brand is from PB HEAT LLC. The WBV/WV units are chimney vented units for either steam or hot water systems. The PRO SERIES units are three pass cast iron boilers. The PINNACLE unit is a sealed combustion, condensing boiler with an AFUE of up to 93%. It is only available in two sizes (70000 or 84000 btu/hr). They have an installer locator by zip code on their website.

PENNCO------------penncoboilers.com------1*---------N/A-- This brand is from ECR INTERNATIONAL and is available in the U.S.A. The KEYSTONE models are available for either steam or hot water systems. They are cast iron units with an AFUE of up to 86.4% and an optional domestic hot water coil available. The warranty on the units is not very good. They have a dealer locator by zip code on their website.

PENSOTTI-------- pensotti-pna.com -----3*---------N/A-- The HEATLINE QUATECH units have an AFUE of up to 88.6%. They have a three pass cast iron heat exchanger with a lifetime guarantee. A direct vent kit is available.

QUIETSIDE---------quietside.com----------2*---------N/A-- The QXM8 units have an 85% efficiency rating and produce domestic hot water on demand. The units are backed by a good warranty.

SIME--------------sime.it---------------<1*---------N/A-- This brand is from the SIME GROUP and is made in Italy. The 1R units are basic units and the ESTELLE B models have an integrated 110 litre domestic hot water tank.

SLANT/FIN---------slantfin.com-----------1*---------N/A-- The INTREPID SERIES of units are available for steam or hot water and for direct vent applications. The EUTECTIC EC 10 units are three pass units that are more resistant to thermal shock. They are compact units that are direct vented and have a hinged burner door for easy cleaning. The warranty on the units is not very good. They have a dealer locator by state on their website.

SMITH-------------smithboiler.com--------3*---------N/A-- This brand is from MESTEK and is available in North America. The SERIES 8 units are available in eight sizes and for water or steam systems. They have an AFUE of up to 85% and are chimney vented. They have an optional two stage fuel unit and domestic hot water coil. The DV-8 units are direct vent models that use a flexible stainless steel vent system. They have a dealer locator by state/province on their website.

SOLAIA---------boyertownfurnace.com------3*---------N/A-- These units are three pass, cast iron units with an AFUE of up to 87%.They can be direct vented and have a swing open burner door for ease of maintenance. They have a dealer locator on their website but most of the dealers are on the east coast of the U.S.

SYSTEM 2000----energykinetics.com--------3*---------N/A-- The EK1 FRONTIER models are available in sizes from 85000 to 121000 btu/hr sizes through dealers. The system includes a 40 gallon domestic hot water (dhw) storage tank and a stainless steel dhw coil. The unit uses a patented spiral tube boiler design for efficient operation.

TERMODINAMIK---tdheat.com---------------<1*---------N/A-- This brand is made in Turkey and is available with optional sealed combustion. The EUROMAT series units are available in five sizes to match the needs of your home. They feature variable speed pumps, optional timers, and optional domestic hot water production. The manufacturers' website is not much help and the guarantee on the heat exchanger in the units is not very good.

THERMO DYNAMICS thermodynamicsboiler.com 1*---------N/A-- The LMD SERIES units are low mass, two pass cast iron units. They are direct vented and have a swing open burner door for easy cleaning. The HT SERIES units are three pass, forced draft units with a built in domestic hot water coil. This brand has a limited dealer network.

THERMOFLO----williamson-thermoflo.com----3*---------N/A-- The OWB units are chimney vented units with a swing open burner door for easy cleaning. They also have an optional two stage fuel unit. The OWT units have a built in domestic hot water coil. The OSB units are for steam heating systems.

TRANE-------------trane.com--------------5*---------N/A-- This brand is a part of INGERSOLL RAND. The XR85 units are three pass cast iron units and are available in seven different sizes. They have a swing open burner door for ease of maintenance. They have a very good warranty and a dealer locator by zip code on their website.

TRIANCO-----------trianco.co.uk----------N/A--------<1*-- This brand is made and sold in the U.K. The EUROSTAR models feature a stainless steel heat exchanger and can be vented into a chimney or through a balanced flue system. The PREMIER line is available in both indoor and outdoor models.

UTICA-------------uticaboilers.com-------3*---------N/A-- This brand is from ECR INTERNATIONAL. The BC SERIES are basic units that are chimney vented and have an optional domestic hot water coil available. The STARFIRE SERIES units can be chimney or direct vented. They have models available for steam heating. They have a swing open burner door for easy cleaning and an optional domestic hot water coil is available.

VIESSMANN---------viessmann.com---------<1*---------N/A-- The VITOROND 100 units are three pass cast iron sectional boilers. They have a direct vent option as well as multiple control options.

WARMFLOW----------warmflow.co.uk---------N/A---------1*-- This brand is available in the U.K. The units are available in several models such as a utility model, combi model, and the KABIN PAK outdoor mounted model.

WEIL-MCLAIN-------weil-mclain.com--------3*---------N/A-- The ULTRA SERIES units are three pass units that can be chimney or direct vented. They have a swing open burner door for easy cleaning. the WTGO units have a built in domestic hot water coil. They have a contractor locator by city/state or zip code on their website.

WILLIAMSON---williamson-thermoflo.com----3*---------N/A-- The OWB SERIES units are for chimney venting and have a swing open burner door for easy cleaning. They also have an optional two stage fuel unit available. The OWT units have a built in domestic hot water coil. The OSB SERIES units are for steam heating systems.

WORCESTER-----worcester-bosch.co.uk-----N/A----------2*-- This brand is a part of the BOSCH GROUP and is made/sold in the U.K. The GREENSTAR HEATSLAVE range consists of system boilers in 18, 25, and 30kw sizes. They also offer combination units that provide domestic hot water. All of the units are available in internal and external mounted models. They have an installer locator by postcode on their website.

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