Grand Lake Plumbing & Heating recently completed a proactive boiler replacement at a vacation condominium in Fraser, Colorado. The existing boiler had not failed yet, but its age and the shutdown of its manufacturer created an increasing risk for owners who are not in Grand County full-time.
Rather than wait for a heating failure during a Fraser winter, the homeowners chose to replace the aging boiler, indirect water heater, and related hydronic components on their own schedule.
Project Facts
- Location: Fraser, Colorado
- Project Type: Boiler replacement
- Property: Vacation condominium
- Equipment Installed: IBC VX110 high-efficiency condensing boiler and Bradford White 50-gallon stainless-steel indirect water heater
- Primary Concern: The existing boiler manufacturer had ceased North American operations, leaving an aging heating system without factory support heading into winter
- Additional Improvements: New circulation components, expansion tank, automatic fill assembly, glycol, outdoor temperature sensor, independent domestic water shutoff, and dedicated hot tub fill connection
- Result: A new heating and hot water system designed around the needs of a Grand County second home
The Challenge
The owners were not dealing with a boiler that had already failed. They were dealing with one that was increasingly difficult to justify keeping in service.
The condo’s original Triangle Tube PS Series boiler had been operating for years and was approaching the point where age alone made it a concern. That situation changed significantly when Triangle Tube’s parent company shut down the brand’s North American operations in late 2025.
Outstanding warranties were voided, open parts orders were canceled, and replacement parts became limited to remaining distributor inventory. For the homeowners, that meant continuing to rely on an aging boiler from a product line with no remaining factory support.
That risk was particularly important because the Fraser condominium is a second home. A boiler failure when nobody is there to catch it can quickly lead to frozen pipes and significant property damage during a Grand County winter.
The water heater, circulation pumps, expansion tank, and boiler-fill components connected to the system were also aging. Replacing only the boiler would have left several other older components in place and potentially moved the next failure only a season or two down the road.
The homeowners decided to replace the complete system proactively rather than wait for a winter breakdown to make the decision for them.
The Boiler Replacement Solution
The Grand Lake Plumbing & Heating crew, led by Zach with support from Danny, completed the replacement over two days.
On the first day, the team shut off the water and gas, disconnected the electrical connections, and drained and removed the existing boiler, side-arm water heater, automatic fill assembly, and pressure tank.
With the mechanical room cleared, the crew installed an IBC VX110 high-efficiency condensing boiler and a Bradford White 50-gallon stainless-steel indirect water heater. They then began rebuilding the hydronic piping system around the new equipment.
Updated Hydronic Piping and Components
The team completed new primary and secondary loop piping and connected the domestic hot water hydronic loop. A new automatic fill valve, expansion tank, high-efficiency air separator, backflow preventer, isolation valves, and gas piping were installed as part of the rebuild.
The isolation valves make future service easier because individual parts of the system can be isolated without draining the entire heating loop.
Freeze Protection for a Fraser Second Home
After the new system was piped, it was charged and purged with a fresh 30% glycol solution. Glycol provides important freeze protection for hydronic piping in Grand County, especially in homes that may sit vacant for extended periods during the winter.
The crew also modified the cold-water piping so the domestic water supply to the condominium can be shut off independently of the boiler loop.
That means the owners can isolate the home’s domestic plumbing during an extended vacancy while allowing the heating system to continue operating and protecting the property from freezing.
A Dedicated Hot Tub Fill Connection
Because the property has a hot tub, the team added a dedicated hot water connection at the water heater outlet specifically for filling it. The connection was clearly labeled so the homeowners can easily identify and use it when needed.
Outdoor Temperature Control
A new outdoor temperature sensor was configured as part of the installation. The sensor allows the boiler to adjust its output based on outdoor conditions rather than operating at a fixed heating rate.
This type of control is particularly useful in Grand County, where outdoor temperatures and heating demand can change substantially throughout the season.
Final Safety and System Commissioning
A plug-in carbon monoxide detector was installed in the mechanical room. While working at the property, the technicians also discovered and corrected an unrelated leak at the kitchen sink strainer.
Before completing the project, the Grand Lake Plumbing & Heating team commissioned the new system by verifying combustion, circulation, control operation, glycol concentration, system pressure, and operation of every heating zone.
The Results
The Fraser condominium now has a high-efficiency boiler and indirect water heater backed by an active manufacturer and standard warranty coverage instead of an aging system from a discontinued product line.
The homeowners also have greater flexibility when the property is vacant. They can shut off domestic water to the condominium while leaving the heating system fully operational, helping reduce the risk of water damage without sacrificing the heat needed to protect the property from freezing.
Most importantly, the system was replaced on a schedule chosen by the homeowners instead of during an emergency caused by a mid-winter boiler failure.
The project also included the first year of Grand Lake Plumbing & Heating’s Service Partner Program at no additional cost, giving the owners a planned maintenance touchpoint for their new heating system.
Boiler Replacement for Fraser and Grand County Homes
Heating system decisions can be different for mountain properties, especially vacation homes and second homes that may sit unoccupied for weeks at a time. Boiler reliability, freeze protection, remote ownership, equipment support, and the ability to winterize portions of the plumbing system all become important considerations.
Grand Lake Plumbing & Heating has served Grand County for more than 100 years and provides heating and boiler services for homes throughout Fraser, Winter Park, Granby, Grand Lake, Hot Sulphur Springs, Kremmling, and surrounding communities.
If your boiler is aging, difficult to repair, or supported by a manufacturer that no longer provides parts or warranty service, it may make sense to evaluate replacement before a Grand County winter forces the decision.
Call Grand Lake Plumbing & Heating at 970-627-3441 to discuss boiler replacement options for your Fraser or Grand County property.
Boiler Replacement FAQs
Should a boiler be replaced before it fails?
In some situations, yes. Age, declining reliability, limited parts availability, lack of manufacturer support, and the consequences of a winter heating failure can all make proactive replacement a better option than waiting for the boiler to stop working.
Why is boiler reliability especially important for a second home?
A heating failure can go unnoticed longer when a property is not occupied full-time. During a Grand County winter, loss of heat can allow plumbing to freeze and potentially cause significant property damage before the homeowner knows there is a problem.
Can domestic water be shut off while a hydronic heating system continues running?
Yes, when the plumbing and heating systems are configured appropriately. On this Fraser project, Grand Lake Plumbing & Heating modified the piping so the owners can shut off domestic water during a vacancy while keeping the boiler and hydronic heating loop operational.
Why is glycol used in hydronic heating systems in Colorado mountain homes?
Glycol provides freeze protection for hydronic piping. This can be particularly valuable in Grand County properties that experience very low winter temperatures or sit vacant for extended periods.
What is an outdoor temperature sensor on a boiler?
An outdoor temperature sensor allows a compatible boiler control to respond to changing outdoor conditions and adjust heating output accordingly rather than operating at the same output regardless of the weather.
Does Grand Lake Plumbing & Heating replace boilers in Fraser?
Yes. Grand Lake Plumbing & Heating provides boiler service and replacement throughout Fraser and Grand County, including systems for primary residences, vacation homes, condominiums, and other mountain properties.
