Testimonials
In 2006, the FCX fully condensing oil-fired boiler was installed in the Research and Testing Facility (RTF) at The Cold Climate Housing Research Center (CCHRC), located on the U of A Campus at Fairbanks, Alaska. . The FCX has been in use continuously since that time, performing flawlessly, and has been extremely reliable not having a single down day since its installation in 2006.
The FCX was installed with the primary purpose of evaluating its operation and suitability for use in an Arctic environment along with two others, a Viessmann, and a Weil Mclain. This installation at the RTF was not made with the goal of optimizing its efficiency but of examining their use as an off the shelf item with a basic installation that is likely to occur in the real world. The FCX boiler was installed as the sole source of radiant heat for the building’s approximate 3,500 square feet of office space, while the others handled the unit heaters. Efficiency measurements were taken for all boilers, but have been inconclusive due to problems with the testing protocol and cross interference between installations and the masonry stove. However, its performance has been outstanding in these arctic conditions, and CCHRC readily states with confidence that the FCX is performing as asserted and tested by other agencies such as Intertek Global Laboratories and EPA Energy Star Ratings.
Additionally, there has not been a hint of problem with the condensate, either the neutralization, disposal, or frosting in the stack due to the low temperature flue gasses.
In 2013, because of its efficiency, ease of installation, and reliability it was chosen for installation in a Sustainable Housing Project in the village of Buckland located on the upper Seward Peninsula. Click here for a You Tube Video of the Buckland Sustainable Housing Project.
The FCX is available for your inspection and can be viewed during normal working hours. You also have the option of taking a formal tour of the building usually held weekly on Thursdays. You are encouraged to do this and take advantage of the knowledge, research provided by this facility. Call 907-457-3454 and visit the website at http://www.cchrc.org/.
CCHRC Examinzes the intial concepts of Boiler Efficiencies - a short YouTube video Boilers at CCHRC
The article Decoding boiler jargon written by CCHRC was published in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
Proof Positive Boiler Comparisons / Savings
Tim Sonnenberg, owner of TS Construction, believes the only way to really compare efficiency is to simultaneously install boilers in identical structures in similar places. This he has done using the FCX, Viessmann, and Buderus. All three are duplexes of about 3700 to 3800 SF structures. The results:
Tim says, “The FCX significantly outperforms every boiler I have installed. In similar time frames in the winter of 2012, the Buderus used an average 6.89 GPD, the Viessmann 5.88 GPD, and the FCX 4.27 GPD. This calculates to a savings advantage of 1.61 GPD over the Viessmann and a 2.62 GPD over the Buderus. Not only that, percentage-wise, the Viessmann used 38% more fuel than the FCX, and the Buderus used over 60% more fuel than the FCX.
The results in my shop are as good. Even when I expanded my shop by 1,400 SF, with 16-foot walls to 6,000 SF, the replacing my existing boiler reduced my fuel consumption by 19%.
Additionally, the simplicity of installation due to built-in features and inexpensive zero clearance plastic for the stack, drastically reduce labor, making this the most competitive choice. Based on fuel savings I am considering removing my other boilers and replacing them with FCX’s”
[Through 2012 Tim has purchased 18 FCX's]
Michael Lamb - homeowner, Borough Chief Financial Officer FNSB, and meticulous keeper of records says:
“I would like to update you on the performance of our Monitor [FCX] condensing boiler. In summary, over a nine-year period we burned an average of 1,405 gallons per year, that was pre-installation of the Monitor [FCX]. Post-installation of the boiler, over a 4.2-year period, our annual average fuel consumption was 966 gallons/year.
This equates to an average of 439 gallons per year savings, or, a 31 .2% savings. Over this same 4.2-year time-period, our average cost per gallon of heating fuel was $3. 1 5/gallon, for an average savings of $1,384 per year!
Jim, the Monitor has worked flawlessly and we have reduced the amount of fuel we purchase by almost a third, we are pleased.”
Dennis Price owner of Salcha Electric has installed 5 FCX’s and corresponding DHW tanks since 2006, in his own home, his 2 sons homes, his shop, and at Salcha Fire and Rescue.
He says, “The FCX boiler is unquestionably the most efficient and simplest to install boiler I have ever worked with. In my home I have realized a fuel savings of nearly 50%. You can contact me at 378-0979 if you have any questions about my installations.”
Bob Tsigonis, owner of Lifewater Engineering Company installed his first FCX in 2005 in his shop. In 2008 he moved to a new location relocating the FCX and installing another in tandem in his new shop. He is currently heating about 8,000 SF of shop, office, and an apartment. This tandem installation consists of radiant, baseboard, and DHW. Just recently he installed a FCX 30 in his 4,000 SF home using radiant, baseboard, forced air, unit heaters, and DHW.
Bob says “The efficient technology through condensing made for significant savings of about 40%, and the built-in versatility of producing two temperatures of water allows using multiple heat emitters while greatly simplify installation. Also, having eliminated stack dampers in both locations I am no longer sucking hot air up the chimney when idle. I highly recommend this boiler.”
Q.E.D