Oil boiler vs. Electric boiler

Curious_8

My house was built in 1929 and I am still heating it with the original boiler that runs on oil and is very inefficient. During recent rain storms the yard got saturated (which is a recurring problem with my yard) and the oil tank filled with water. (Currently I've got a temporary tank) I am wondering if this is a good time to replace the furnace and particularly wondered if it would be a good idea to install an electric boiler instead. Does anyone know, would the cost of heating be much higher for an electric vs oil boiler? Are there any special considerations when it comes to installation or repair? (side note: gas is not an option on my property)

Charlie Masone

41 KW = 1GPH oil (roughly)

Here on Long Island I pay .19 per KW that would equal $7.80, or twice what oil costs. New oil boilers run at 85-88% efficiency I don't know about electric boilers but they are probably close to 100 %

Nick Z._3

Elect. boiler

I installed a Burnham Elect. last year for a custmer.It works very well. Really aneat little piece for a small heating load.

scrook_2

well kW-hr's...

not kW, but we knew what you meant

41 kW-hrs = 1 gallon #2 (before net efficiency of oil is factored in) If burned at 85% efficiency then 41*0.85 or 35 kW-hr = 1 gallon #2.

At $3.40/gallon and 85% burner efficiency electricity would need to be $0.083 per kW-hr to equal oil's cost, at $3.00 then $0.073, etc., though electric heat is cheaper and simpler up front to install.

Oil is pricey now but likely either it will fall or natural gas, propane and electricity will rise (or a combination of both), back to typical price ratios of recent years past, so look at more than just this winter's pricing before you decide.