Burnham Independence Boiler Overview

Purchase a steam in5 Burnham boiler in October 2009 lasted only 9-years. My old Weil-McLain steam boiler lasted 32 years. I called U.S. boiler company gave them the model number and inform them that the block was leaking water due to corrosion causing the automatic water feeder to go on constantly. Was informed that I could buy a new block for $700 which will cost me $4800.00 to install or receive a $500 rebate towards a new one. I inform them that I have a warranty for ten years on the unit but was told that corrosion does not cover even though I had it serviced every year. "Warning" stay away from Burnham boilers. I'm buying a new Weil-McLain boiler. Again stay away from Burnham "garbage". I have read that there are many issues with that brand. Highly not recommended. "Stay away"

We paid 8,000 to have a Gas Fired Independence Steam Boiler installed in our home. Six years later it has failed. Three holes in the cast iron block which is sending steam up the chimney. Burnham refuses to honor the 10-year parts warranty. They will, however, give me $500 off a new system: lol. To install another new one will cost another 8k. They claim it is "corrosion" caused by mineralized water in my area or due to the fact that I keep putting fresh water into the system (I have to b/c it shuts down b/c it has steamed away due to the boilers holes!). Fail. Fail. Fail. I am told by the customer service people that Burnhams products aren't as good as they used to be b/c of government regulations. They can't make 'em as strong. I am also told that replacing steam boilers every 7-10 years is completely normal. Hogwash. A

Six years after my boiler was installed we discovered 3 cracks and it has to manually be filled with water 3 times per day during winter months to ensure the heat stays on. After contacting the company we spoke with rude/condescending reps who were of no help. We were told we could pay $700 for new blocks but they'd only have a 1 year warranty. We'll be replacing it soon (another $10k to shell out) and each plumber we've spoken to has said the same thing: 'Burnham boilers are garbage' This was my first boiler purchase/installation. I now know better for the future.

The Burnham boiler was only 7 years old but the heat exchanger started leaking at the nipple connecting the top sections. I read the warranty and its very clearly covered for life. I call Burnham customer service and they tell me that the boiler warranty does not cover corrosion like they have some kind of special powers that allow them to know what the inside of my heat exchanger looks like. They tell me if I want to "pursue this" they can send their rep out to formally tell me that the heat exchanger failed due to corrosion. I called my plumber and he says he's seen this a hundred times with Burnham over the past several years. I replaced with a Weil McLain per plumber's advice.

I am the priest at a small poor church. We have just replaced the 2nd of the church's Burnham boilers in 2 years. Last year's replacement was 8 years old and this years is 9 years old. They will not stand behind these boilers at all. Stay away Fr. Tim Carr