Cost to install Navien CH-240-LP boilier too high?

grandmajo · #1 01/19/12, 04:31 PM

Hi everyone,

We purchased an unfinished home last year and we have been slowly working on it. When we bought it, the basement floor was already set-up for hydronic heat. We have installed all the tubing and manifolds and other stuff (pardon my technical jargon!) and the system is operational.

The problem is that it is set up to run thru a Rheem 105 gallon hot water heater, which is electric. It isn't big enough to handle both the basement and the upper story of the house for hydronic heating, let alone for domestic hot water.

A friend recommended that we call a friend of hers about having a boiler put in. The guy was out yesterday and he is recommending a Navien CH-240-LP condensing combination boiler. He called me back today with quote of $4800.

We think that this quote seems a little bit high. I looked online and can find this model for around $2200 to $2800. So we're looking at around $2000 in misc parts and installation costs. Again, everything is already in place for the hydronic floor heating, all that is needed is to remove the electric water heater and install this combination unit. We have a propane line already stubbed out for the room that it will need to go in, but they will need to add some extra length of pipe to it, around 6 to 10 feet maybe.

I'd appreciate any feedback or thoughts on this!

Bearfootfarm · #2 01/19/12, 05:01 PM

It sounds high to me inless it includes piping for the upstairs too.

You might be better off to add a second water heater to get more capacity, and you'd be able to just run one in the Summer instead of running the boiler for DHW all the time

bignugly · #3 01/19/12, 05:30 PM

Have you given any thought to an instant hot water heater(gas fired)?

grandmajo · #4 01/19/12, 05:48 PM

Thank you for the input. Nope, no piping is needed for the upstairs.

bignugly, the unit is actually kind of what you described.

**Ross** · #5 01/19/12, 06:20 PM

The Misc parts add up fast I assume he'll need an expansion tank and a make up water valve you don't currently have and there may be a mixing unit to drop the supply temp down and then back up to re-enter the boiler, to counter hot floors and thermal shock. You have to consider the venting for the boiler too, that 636 cpvc adds up too!! Does sound a little high but it is a specialized job too.

jennigrey · #6 01/19/12, 06:31 PM

Don't forget the price of all the stainless exhaust piping needed! That adds up very quickly.

grandmajo · #7 01/19/12, 06:32 PM

Thanks Ross. He assured us that all we need is this unit and a little bit of piping. That it was going to be an easy job. I think that's why his quote shocked us so much. DH said to call him back and ask him to send us an itemized quote.

We're going to call a couple of other places and get quotes too.

grandmajo · #8 01/19/12, 06:36 PM

Jennigrey, he told us this unit vents with PVC pipe, no stainless is needed

plowjockey · #9 01/19/12, 06:40 PM

If this guy was a professional, it may be unfair to to compare "Internet" pricing for the unit, which, in addition to shipping charges, he may have to pay a much higher price, from his regular source, if he uses one. He would surely want to add some price markup to it also.

If you think his price is too high, IMO, get another quote for the exact same unit and work, from another professional, which is always a good idea anyway.

#10 01/19/12, 06:41 PM

A friend of mine built a home that hydroponic heat . The home was probably about 2000 sq ft . He heated it easily with a 30 gallon gas water heater . His domestic hot water was from a separate tankless water heater . I'm wondering if your 105 gallon water heater is working correctly . You also didn't say how large & well insulated your home is .

grandmajo · #11 01/19/12, 06:43 PM

Thanks plowjockey. I assumed that he would be able to get the unit directly from the company at a lower cost than I'm finding, then do his mark-up. Are you saying that he would actually pay more than what I could find it for?

Yep, we're going to get another quote or two!

grandmajo · #12 01/19/12, 06:51 PM

Oops, sorry about that WV Hillbilly. The house is built into a hill with a walk-out basement, and only 1 other floor. Each floor is 1124 sq ft so that would be 2248 sq ft. The walls were well insulated when we bought it, and we blew 18" of insulation in the attic. Windows are all double pane vinyl. This house was started new in 2003. Previous owner just never finished it.

The guy that gave us the quote got his amp meter out and checked the electric water heater and said it was working properly, but that it just couldn't keep up with the demand.

plowjockey · #13 01/19/12, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grandmajo

Thanks plowjockey. I assumed that he would be able to get the unit directly from the company at a lower cost than I'm finding, then do his mark-up. Are you saying that he would actually pay more than what I could find it for?

Yep, we're going to get another quote or two!

I once worked for a plumbing/heating guy, that purchased nearly everything he sold and installed, through a local wholesale distributer. I think this is how most HVAC units are purchased, not directly from the manufaturer.

His wholesale prices paid (before markup), were almost always higher than Internet companies, that might just sell only furnaces or boilers. He always wanted to support his distributor (for his service), not just purchase where he could get the cheapest price. He'd never step foot in Home Depot or Lowes, due to thier low quality.

It's a tough call for you, when you are looking at a five grand cost.

good luck.

grandmajo · #14 01/19/12, 07:16 PM

Thank you, that helps put things into perspective for us!

**Ross** · #15 01/20/12, 05:43 PM

I buy that sort of equipment regularly and there can be quite a difference from supplier to supplier, (I'm in a city of over a million people so not huge but not tiny either) Internet prices often line up with wholesale but not always from what I've seen.