Nothing lasts forever — even your boiler. But your facility depends on your commercial boiler and its reliable operation. Consider these important factors before deciding whether to repair or replace this essential part of your system.

Service Life

When it comes to commercial boiler repair vs replace, one important factor to consider is the service life of the boiler. A well-maintained commercial boiler can last up to 20 years, but as it ages, the cost of repairs and maintenance can increase. At some point, it may make more financial sense to replace the boiler rather than to continue repairing it.

However, it’s important to make this decision based on the actual service life of the boiler, not just its age. A boiler that has been well-maintained and has a good service record may still have several years of life left in it, whereas a poorly maintained boiler may need to be replaced much sooner.

Working with a knowledgeable and experienced commercial boiler service provider can help you make informed decisions about when to repair or replace your boiler, based on its actual service life and overall condition.

Frequent Issues

Commercial boilers are crucial in maintaining a comfortable and productive work environment. However, like all machines, they can experience frequent issues that require attention. 

One of the most common problems that commercial boilers face is a buildup of sediment and debris, which can lead to reduced efficiency and even complete breakdowns. In this case, it may be more cost-effective to replace the boiler rather than continuously repairing it. Another common issue is a faulty thermostat, resulting in inconsistent temperatures and increased energy bills. Depending on the severity of the problem, repair may be the better option in this case.

Be sure to look at your boiler’s operating history. Check to see if the same problem keeps happening, or if new problems are cropping up. Recurring issues may indicate a problem with the installation that a technician can correct. Frequent, unrelated issues indicate your boiler may no longer be reliable, and you may need to consider replacement. Ultimately, the decision to repair or replace a commercial boiler depends on the specific circumstances and needs of the business. 

Weighing the Costs

When it comes to commercial boiler maintenance, one of the biggest decisions business owners face is whether or not to replace their system. While a complete replacement may seem like the best option for long-term efficiency, it can be a costly investment upfront. On the other hand, repairing a boiler may provide a temporary fix, but it can add up over time and eventually lead to higher costs in the long run. The key to making the best decision is to weigh the costs and benefits of each option carefully. Ultimately, choosing the right option can help you save money and improve the overall efficiency of your commercial heating system.

If you would like assistance in making your repair vs. replacement decision, Icon Boiler is here for you. Contact us today to start the conversation.

GPM: PROVIDING ACCESS TO EUROPEAN-MANUFACTURED PUMP LINES

Icon Boiler and Global Pump Marketing (GPM) have recently entered into a strategic partnership, providing Icon Boiler with access to seven of their pump lines. GPM is a group of experienced pump professionals who represent premier equipment manufacturers from Europe. They know the products, industries we serve, and distribution channels. This helps make the products available to North American customers in a quick and cost-effective way.

Almost all boiler rooms will contain at least one pump, if not more. These pumps are essential to moving feed water into the boiler but they can be also used in different applications. The addition of these pump lines to Icon Boilers strategic products allows us to provide a larger inventory of high-quality equipment to our current and potential customers.

GPM PUMP LINES

Established in 1932, Garbarino has been the industry leader in Centrifugal & Positive Displacement Pumps for the marine and industrial market.

BFS INDUSTRIES: THE LEADER IN HIGH PERFORMANCE BOILER ROOM EQUIPMENT

Icon Boiler is proud to partner with a long list of industry leading professionals. This allows us to provide our mission-critical customers with the best equipment and systems in the marketplace. From our efforts in 2022, Icon Boiler has recently been recognized as BFS Industries #2 Sales Representative for sales in our territories in North and South Carolina.

BFS Industries, LLC manufactures a complete line of Boiler Room Auxiliary Equipment, such as Deaerators, Surge/transfer systems, and boiler feed and condensate systems. Icon Boiler has been a BFS Industries partner since 2020. Myron Burnett, General Manager for Icon Boiler, states “We are pleased with how Icon Boiler’s partnerships continue to strengthen every year. BFS Industries has always been a valued partner of ours, and we are happy to see our success in this year’s final sales numbers.”

Tom Garbarino, President of BFS Industries, commented; “BFS is proud to be represented by such a fine organization in our home state.  Although Icon Boiler has only been our representative for a short period of time, they have done an outstanding job learning the product line, generating sales leads, and closing a lot of business.  We value the relationships that we have with our representatives, many of which span 30, 40, and 50+ years.  Based on their early success, we expect Icon Boiler to be one of BFS’ top representatives for many years to come.”      

We are proud of our Icon Boiler Associates, both in the office and in the field, for making this achievement possible for not only BFS Industries but for surpassing 2022 quotas for other strategic partners as well. Looking forward to Icon Boiler’s continued success in 2023!

ABOUT BFS INDUSTRIES

BFS Industries was founded in 1946 by John Garbarino and remains a family-owned business today. Their journey has taken them from modest beginnings in a small fabrication shop in Brooklyn, NY, to expanded facilities on Long Island to a modern, state-of-the-art office and manufacturing plant in Butner, NC. BFS Industries has over 70 years of experience in the design and manufacture of all types of boiler room auxiliary equipment.

ABOUT OUR CUSTOMER

McCall Farms cans vegetables under several different brands, distributing in the Southeastern US and throughout the country. The vegetables come from McCall’s own farms and from a number of carefully selected farming partners throughout the region. Every vegetable at McCall’s Farms goes from harvest to can within 12 hours, and often less. Their industrial boilers are an integral part of production and ensuring those vegetables get canned while they are fresh.

CHALLENGES

McCall Farms powers part of their canning operations with boiler-generated steam. Their boiler system includes two Johnston 1,600 horsepower, two-pass boilers, one Johnston 1,500, four-pass horsepower boiler, and a Johnston 1,000 horsepower boiler. The boilers had reached a point, mostly because of age and out dated control systems, where they were down several times a week, severely impacting production. The expert team at Icon Boiler also pointed out to McCall Farms that upgrading the boiler controls would decrease fuel consumption and reduce emissions.

RESULTS

Brandon Berry, McCall Farms’ Utility Manager, reports that since the installation of the MK8, McCall Farms has gone from multiple boiler failures each week to only a few minimal errors. Even better, the Autoflame MK8 provides them with information so that they can better determine the cause of the errors and correct them. Additional benefits of the MK8 installation include:

“The MK8 substantially increases the lifespan of the boilers,” added Jason Davis of Icon Boiler. “The operator has a lot more data to look at, better control of the water level, and a greater ability to troubleshoot. This upgraded system at McCall Farms means they will get a lot more life from their boilers.” Berry explains that McCall Farms employs a dual-fuel system utilizing natural gas as the primary fuel source and oil as a back-up. The Autoflame unit is an ideal answer to their boiler needs because the MK8 is designed to work with these dual systems. Berry added that McCall Farms is looking forward to upgrading the remaining boilers with Autoflame controls in the near future

Contact the experts at Icon Boiler to determine if a burner control upgrade is the right choice for your business.

Watch this 3-minute video where Icon Boiler’s own Franklin Suggs takes you through a few options from their firetube and watertube equipment line.