- Mon–Sat 8AM–8PM
- 1374 Stuyvesant Ave, Union NJ 07083
- 24/7 Emergency Line Always Open
Cast-iron steam boilers often last 40–60 years. Some run 70+. Past that, the cast-iron sections start to crack and parts get harder to find.
Water leaking from cracks in the cast-iron sections (not from valves or fittings). Once the pressure vessel fails, repair isn't an option.
Old steam boilers lose efficiency over decades — sediment buildup, scale, deteriorating burners. A modern steam boiler can cut heating bills meaningfully.
Two or three repair calls a year is the system telling you something. The next failure could be major.
During inspection or repair, we find a crack in the cast-iron pressure vessel. Not safely repairable — replacement is the only option.
Severe carbon monoxide concerns, soot buildup, or combustion problems that point to internal damage beyond simple repair.
Best for: Most homeowners with steam heat — especially older Union County homes with cast-iron radiators.
Best for: Almost never the right answer for older homes with steam. Major construction project, requires ductwork installation, often loses the character and even-heating advantage of radiators.
We typically recommend against this for older Union County homes — but we’ll talk through it honestly if you’re considering.
Our honest take: For most older Union County homes with steam, replacing with a new steam boiler is the smartest decision — lowest cost, preserves the system, keeps your radiators. Conversion is rarely worth the cost unless you’re doing a major renovation anyway.
A new steam boiler must match your home’s actual radiator load. Not house size. Not the previous boiler’s BTU rating. Not a “best guess.”
Sizing a steam boiler properly means:
● Oversized boiler: Short-cycles, wastes fuel, banging pipes, uneven heat
● Undersized boiler: Never warms the house properly, runs constantly
● Properly sized boiler: Quiet, efficient, lasts longer
Most plumbers under 40 don't know how to size steam boilers properly. After 40+ years, we do — and we won't replace a boiler without measuring your radiators first.
Newer steam boilers are usually smaller and more efficient than the original cast-iron behemoths from the 1940s and '50s. They fit in tighter mechanical rooms and basements. We measure your space during the quote.
Yes — that's the whole point of staying with steam. Your radiators stay, your piping stays, only the boiler changes. The new boiler produces steam that flows through the same radiators that have been heating your home for decades.
Yes. Manufacturers like Burnham, Peerless (NJ-made), Weil-McLain, Crown, and Smith still make modern steam boilers. They've evolved — better controls, higher efficiency — but the core technology is the same.
Honest answer: for most older Union County homes, staying with steam is the better financial decision. Conversion costs significantly more upfront, and the efficiency gains rarely pay back the cost. The exception is if you're doing major renovations anyway — then conversion may make sense.
Yes — but it takes planning. Steam boiler replacements in occupied buildings need temporary heat solutions and careful scheduling. We work with property managers across Union County on these projects regularly.
40+ years of steam work in Union County. Elizabeth, Hillside, Roselle — we know these old systems.
Most plumbers under 40 don't size steam properly. We do — EDR-based sizing, every job.
NJ Master Plumber License #9142. Code-compliant install, township inspection, warrantied work.
Save on the upfront cost, plus Wisetack financing if you want to spread it out.
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