new to boilers e-classic 1400

[davehicks]

Hello everyone... New guy here. I'm buying a central boilers. My options are an e-classic 1400 or the new edge 550. I've talked to reps at CB a couple times and they are saying that if I can get the e-classic for the same money then it's a no brainer, go with the e-classic. I'll be heating a ten year old house, with blow in insulation. 2600 sq ft, basement 1600 sq ft, which doesn't take much to Heather, only two vents now with forced air, and my hot water. I know there are the cleaning issues, which I'm ok with. They told me that there is an upgrade to the firebox, air down draft thing that the dealer told me he would throw in. I can install myself, not worried about that, but wondering if you guys are familiar with it, good or bad? Also any recommendations on the unit itself. Looks solid and we'll built. Will be approximately 35' from house, unsure yet on lines I'm going to run, pump I'll use ect. Looking at the bumble bee pump? My inside lex lines will only go approximately 15' to duct work and water heater is between that, just inside basement wall. I'm getting pumped up about this boilers and getting it home, installed and fired up. I know I'll have a break in time and a huge learning curve, but I think it will be worth it.

[stratford 50]

I would think buying a new furnace that all the upgrades would be completed by the dealer upon purchase?? My friend has a 1400 model and appears to be pleased with the performance and amount of heat it will produce.
I have a 2400 model that replaced a 2008 2300 e- classic, much improved and I feel a lot more user friendly IMOP. Central Boiler makes a good furnace, make sure your dealer is knowledgeable and carries sufficient parts which over time you may need.

[Roger2561]

davehicks - Welcome.  I'm going on my 5th heating season with my E-Classic 1400.  It's operated flawlessly for me, other than the problems which were of my own making (wood bridging due to improper loading, not keeping the primary air holes in the firebox clear of creosote buildup).  The one thing I wish CB would do is make the panels that make up the air channel in the firebox removable like they do in the E-Classic 1450.  If you poke those air holes every 2 to 3 weeks to keep them open and check for creosote build up in the primary air elbow in the rear every 4 to 5 weeks, it should run flawlessly for you.  I put wood in it every 12 hours; 5amish and 5pmish.  This morning in central NH, the temp was around 21 degrees F with a slight breeze.  Last evening around 5pm I put 4 piece of fire wood in the firebox; 24 inches long, 4 to 8 inches in diameter.  I'm heating my domestic hot water plus 4500 square foot house built around 1840's.  Last year the winter was second coldest on record and I burnt around 8 cord of hardwood keeping my house at 70 degrees F, 24/7.  I used to heat with fuel oil.  The cost was above $5,000.00 per year.  I do not have my own wood lot so I get it log length and buck it up, split it and stack.  It's a bit of work but I consider it part of my wellness program.   Good luck with whatever you decide.  Roger

[doctorb]

Please clarify for me if you can....

Is CB still making the 1400?  I thought they had upgraded that model to the 1450?

Secondly, I've been on the CB website and tried to figure out what is new and improved, yet cheaper, about the new Edge line of stoves over the e-Classic line.  Anybody have a clue?

[stratford 50]

doctorb, from what I  have been told by CB the edge does not have the gas ignition option, not sure what else?

[doctorb]

My 2300 was sold with and without the gas ignition.  I purchased it at the suggestion of CB, and wish I had not.  I have never used it.

The difference that I saw had to do with the vertical heat exchanger.  Much easier cleanout than the old turbulator tubes on my unit.