boiler

[hithere]

I have Hamilton Water heater, my store is not 24 hours open, so, I know I can save some money if I turn off boiler during closing time, but except gas usage, what about machine life if I put automatic power on-off device on the boiler?
What I am asking is which case among below three cases is better for water heater(no damage to the boiler, for example, water heater has computer module, so daily power off and on could damage this??):
1) just turn-on 24 hours.--no power off
2) power off during store closing time
3) it doesn't matter either way.

Thank you

[pete f]

I had 2 boiler systems, when gas spiked years ago I put timers on both. I have since sold both mats, but am sure the savings over the years were great. I put the timer in line between the thermo coupler to the gas valve. Simple. My boilers were qucik recovery, so not need hot water all night, they fire up in the morning when we open and have hot water within a few mins. I am in FL and no cold weather problems.

[Rich]

I have a 2 boiler set-up like Pete f had. A few weeks ago I was thinking 27 years ago when the store was set-up it had 20 tops, 8 SQ super 20's, and 4 35 LB Milnor's. Now I have almost all new washer's (less then 4 yrs old) and only 7 are tops. I shouldn't need as much hot water. I shut 1 boiler off, and close the valve's because one will heat both tank's. Almost 3 weeks now and not one complaint about hotwater. Looks like I will be saving some money!!! Plus the one boiler is 27 years old and If things stay the same I know I won't have to replace it. But for now I will start switching them, one running one week, the other the next.

[hithere]

I have a 2 boiler set-up like Pete f had. A few weeks ago I was thinking 27 years ago when the store was set-up it had 20 tops, 8 SQ super 20's, and 4 35 LB Milnor's. Now I have almost all new washer's (less then 4 yrs old) and only 7 are tops. I shouldn't need as much hot water. I shut 1 boiler off, and close the valve's because one will heat both tank's. Almost 3 weeks now and not one complaint about hotwater. Looks like I will be saving some money!!! Plus the one boiler is 27 years old and If things stay the same I know I won't have to replace it. But for now I will start switching them, one running one week, the other the next.

WOW!! 27 years!!
Did you replace some parts such as ignitor..., right? I thought 15~20 would be the life-time of boiler....but seems like more than that...
surprised...

[Amex]

Some boilers like the Hamilton Evo require the circulating pump to run constant. I was told by Hamilton this was to keep sediment from building up on the Heat exchanger. If you have a insulated tank and lines I doubt you will save any money. If it fires once during the night I would think that would be it. There is hardly any heat loss off a insulated tank.

[Rich]

hithere, Boilers don't normally last this long and this one has been running on barrowed time for many years. I did replace the gas valve a few years ago, and have had to vacuum the rust off the burner 2 times in the past few years. So much rust falls that it puts the pilot out. Its an A O Smith buy the way. My other boiler is about 8 years old. The good thing for me is with my newer washers hotwater demand is much less, and it looks like if that one finally goes on me I won't have to replace it.