I have a Central Boiler CB5648, born in September 2004 according to the data plate on the front. It's actually been in use only nine years, I didn't start using it until September of 2006. It's still in good shape but I have replaced a few parts over the years - the door, as it was cracked; the door gasket; part of the chimney and several Taco pumps; the solenoid; the digital temperature readout; the electrical outlet (mice!) and a bunch of light bulbs. I also melted the light bulb cover on the front.... I do burn a lot of wood, estimated 10-12+ cords annually, but it's burning 365 days a year as I use it for all domestic hot water as well as winter heat and supplemental pool heating. I am about to hook it up to a new garage with radiant floor heat, which will pretty much max out its' capacity and connections.
I am considering an "upgrade" to an EPA-approved OWB, before this one gets too old to sell or be worth much more than scrap. Is it worth considering a new OWB given the age of this one? Is there any market for used, non-EPA-approved OWB's? Are they still legal in some secret place where the EPA hasn't found yet? And, what might be a typical lifespan of a boiler like this? Am I going to be looking at replacement in five or ten years anyway?
I am also giving this consideration for a few more reasons: first, I have never been really happy where I put the OWB in the first place, and I'd move it (even to digging up the underground lines) if I replaced it. Second, the Dual Fuel option was a good idea at first, but has become a crutch and a massive sucker of expen$ive propane. I would simply put a solar panel and water-to-water heat pump in the basement for DHW from late May through mid-September. Third, I'm not getting younger, and burning less wood over time might be a good thing.
The seasoning question is - for these newer units, should I be assuming that my wood supply should be as dry as possible? I do burn some junk during the summer months, including wet/punky/rotten logs, pallets and a lot of softwoods. I'm guessing the quality of the firewood needs to improve significantly? Not that I have a problem with that, but planning will be of greater importance.
I am considering an "upgrade" to an EPA-approved OWB, before this one gets too old to sell or be worth much more than scrap. Is it worth considering a new OWB given the age of this one? Is there any market for used, non-EPA-approved OWB's? Are they still legal in some secret place where the EPA hasn't found yet? And, what might be a typical lifespan of a boiler like this? Am I going to be looking at replacement in five or ten years anyway?
I am also giving this consideration for a few more reasons: first, I have never been really happy where I put the OWB in the first place, and I'd move it (even to digging up the underground lines) if I replaced it. Second, the Dual Fuel option was a good idea at first, but has become a crutch and a massive sucker of expen$ive propane. I would simply put a solar panel and water-to-water heat pump in the basement for DHW from late May through mid-September. Third, I'm not getting younger, and burning less wood over time might be a good thing.
The seasoning question is - for these newer units, should I be assuming that my wood supply should be as dry as possible? I do burn some junk during the summer months, including wet/punky/rotten logs, pallets and a lot of softwoods. I'm guessing the quality of the firewood needs to improve significantly? Not that I have a problem with that, but planning will be of greater importance.
