Gas for steam?

Steamhead (in transit)

will be more efficient than your present one.

But before you switch to gas, you need to compare the price per BTU of gas vs. oil in your area. Be sure to include all the little taxes and fees the gas company doesn't want you to know about- ever wonder why they use very small print for these? And remember, a modern oil burner that is properly installed and adjusted will not generate soot. Ask me how I know that.

Also consider that despite token competition, most gas utilities are essentially unregulated monopolies. This means they can raise prices whenever they want, as much as they want. But oil suppliers are in direct competition with each other, giving you far more choices and better pricing.

Some manufacturers support the use of their oil-designed boilers with power gas conversion burners. Installing such a boiler would allow you to switch fuels without buying a new boiler. The chimney liner or power vent (if used) would have to be capable of handling either fuel too.

Any modern boiler, with proper venting equipment, can vent out the side wall of your building. But there are Code limitations on where the vent can be placed- for example, many Codes decree the vent must be 4 feet to either side of a window, 7 feet above a walkway, driveway or similar feature, and so on. Make sure you can vent in the proper, Code-approved place before ripping down the chimney.

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Adrian

Gas for steam?

I currently have an oil-fired steam heating system for my 2 floor house. The boiler is old and I am looking to replace it. Can I use gas to heat a steam system? I also want to remove my chimney which is currently only venting my oil-fired boiler. Are there boilers I can vent out the side of the house? For oil? For gas? Thanks.

Empire_2

You Bet Adrian....

There are some great contractors in here that can advise, install and give you all the info you need for your request. Hi efficiency gas is definatly possible and will probably be recommended. Some of the best steam guy's are here and you are in the right place. Hi Eff. does vent out the side wall like you are requesting.. Stand by,..."The wall is opening up for you". ;-)

Mike T.

Adrian

side venting

In mentioning side venting, I was assuming high-efficiency boilers that (from what I've heard) only emit steam so they can be vented near ground level and within only a couple feet of windows. My problem in consulting professionals in the past has been that they seem to be predisposed to one heat source or the other, so you get different (biased) information. If they work mainly with oil systems, you get that story; if gas, you get that story. This is in fact where I had heard that gas cannot heat water enough to create enough steam for a 2-floor steam radiator system. But it sounds like you all are saying this is not true? Thanks again for any advise.

Empire_2

some thoghts...

The only reason I prefer Gas, it needs less service than oil,..period, but that is my opinion. As far as gas,...It is used (as well as oil) to heat college campus dorms which are hundreds of yards apart, and towering sky scrapers........I could actually fire a system off of Butane, propane or any other flammable fuel that is out there. It's all about cost as stated above.

Mike T.

Brad White_38

Adrian, all fuels burn

in the 2,000 plus degree range and in conventional steam boilers have terminal flue gasses in the 350 to 500 degree range (lower is better for keeping it in your house, not up the chimney). Further dilution via draft hoods or barometric dampers reduces this before it goes up the chimney

Whoever is saying gas cannot heat to steam temperatures should step away from pencils and any other dangerous objects, put down the scissors....and back away from the tools....

Keep in mind that even with side venting your efficiency is going to be in the mid 80's. Some people assume that because you are side venting you are in the same league as condensing boilers. You may be closer than the old style steam boilers but the steam you want is higher in temperature than condensing hot water boiler flue gasses which average in the 110 to 170 degree range depending on the water temperature they are producing.

Remember, your steam is going to be 212 to 215 degrees (if you are at or near sea level). Your flue gasses will be hotter than that.

Still, glad you are preserving the steam by what ever means.

Guy_6

gas/Oil

There are a couple of advantages to oil that you might be missing:

1) Having the boiler serviced annually is beneficial to the efficiency AND , more importantly, the SAFETY features on the system. Both gas and oil should be attended to annually, but the gas boilers are often overlooked, usually getting serviced AFTER they have an issue. I wonder how many CO mishaps could have been avoided if a technician was regularly servicing the equipment.

2) When you have a gas boiler, you are umbilically connected to ONE gas company. If you don't like their service.....well, you can't call the other gas co. Fortunately, they know this as well, and generally provide good service. Oil does allow you more choices.

JMHO, for what it's worth.

Guy