New Steam Boiler - Should I switch from oil to gas

David Fenigstein

Thanks for the great feedback. I have recently put 1" wall insulation on all the mains in the basement which I am hoping will healp greatly. It was roasting down there last year. Anyway, one more question. I have a mix of original freestanding radiators and newer recessed one. The older ones do not have traps or atleast it does not appear like they do and some of the newer ones do have traps. The ones with traps (newer ones) do not work well, while the older ones work great. Keep in mind this was once a vapor system 2 pipe. Would they not have installed traps on a vapor system?

David Fenigstein

I am planning on replacing my 60+ year old oil fired steam boiler which was previously a vapor system. I have a buried oil tank in my front yard and I am wondering if during the replacement of the boiler I should switch from oil to gas. I am planning on removing the tank in the ground anyway and replacing with tanks in the basement if I keep oil. I already have gas piped into the house. Obviously I am interested if it will cost more to operate on gas than oil. Also, for steam is one better than the other in terms of comfort, pickup time, etc. My house is fairly large at 3500 sq ft. Thanks for any help you can provide

Uni R_2

Comparing Energy Costs

How many gallons do you consume in a typical year?

What efficiency was your current boiler?

What are the efficiencies of the boiler options that are you considering?

How much and how volatile is the price of a gallon of oil there?

How much and how volatile is the price of a therm of NG there?

How much will you spend replacing your tank and what will be the expected lifespan of the new tank? Some type of depreciation should be added for this to fairly compare heating costs. Since you already use NG the monthly fees shouldn't be factored in teh comparison.

Do you plan on moving in the next 10 years and if so, will your fuel choice affect resale value? In Boston I think you would take a hit NOT having oil for heat while in Toronto you will take a hit in value FOR heating with oil. This may or may not be much of a factor depending on where you live.

Without knowing all of this, it would be pretty hard to respond without it being a wild @$$ guess.

Steamhead (in transit)

Uni, I disagree

when you say "the monthly fees shouldn't be factored in teh comparison". Anything that affects the bottom-line cost per BTU has to be figured in, otherwise it's not a fair comparison. The gas companies don't want you to figure those fees and taxes since not doing so makes gas look cheaper. With oil, taxes and fees are included in the advertised price.

We've seen a lot of interest in boilers that can burn either oil or gas by just switching the burner. David, this capability would put you in the driver's seat. You could burn whatever is cheapest per BTU. You'd need a new tank for oil, but you'd need to run a new gas line from the meter to the boiler for gas.

Either fuel will work well with steam. Be sure to check the air venting to make sure the steam can distribute quickly and evenly. The specifics of this will depend on what type of system you have. And be sure all the steam pipes are insulated. These have a profound influence on your fuel consumption.

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Christian Egli_2

60 years old and good for another 60

A sixty year old system is probably still as good as new... but due for a little maintenance. A new boiler will be great. Don't forget system cleaning and new / repaired radiator traps (that's key to system top performance). Make sure the open hole where the air is exhausted from the system is open for business. For more, fix missing insulation on the mains.

A boiler feeding on oil or gas comes down to the exact same thing (or nearly so), it's only a matter of economics and what fuel you can burn cheapest. That depends a lot on local markets and there is no way for predicting the future... My recommendation would be to buy a boiler that can use both (or be converted easily). Not all gas boilers can burn fuel and not being tied to one fuel gives you nothing but good independence.

I wish you another 60 years of happy and efficient steaming.

Robert O'Brien

Are

you happy with the service from the cable co.,phone co, electric co etc? These are all legal monopolies and are notorious for high rates and poor service.If you are unhappy with your oil supplier,there's dozens more who would love your business,what do you do if you don't like the service or gas rates with the gas utility?

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Uni R_2

I disagree with you disagreeing... ;-)

I said that because he already has NG for other purposes so that monthly fee is there regardless, otherwise it definitely would be a factor.

Steamhead (in transit)

But since he has to pay the fee

it has to be figured in somehow.

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clammy

oil or gas

I hate to say but i have a few custemers thgat have oil steam systems and most spend less money heating there home with oil then those with gas ,try less then 1200 for the year on heat not bad but that's only for a small 3 section weil gold ,all in all for alot of homes oil if properly cleaned and maintaned and set up i believe does cost less and the best thing i believe with oil is at least once a year your boiler is either cleaned and or serviced .While with gas most only call for service when it''s to late and they have no heat.Maintance on both should and must be done at least once a year other wise high fuel usuage is no one fault except your own .peace and good luck ps if removing your oil tank do your self a favor and get a roth double wall tank it would be wise and use a tiger loo0p also . peace and good luck clammy

hvac-tech

meter fee

Burn NAT. gas. No cost on fuel tank & yearly oil filter
& time to change filter. No oil truck to pull in drive way. No EPA on a spill.

Christian Egli_2

Trapping the steam out of the returns

There may be orifice traps built in. Pictures would help.

There is not much wrong mixing traps and orifices within one system as long as you make sure no live steam gets into the returns -that will stop correct operation of a thermostatic trap.

Check the thermostatic traps, they don't last for ever maybe they're broken. They also brake faster when kept shut by steam in the returns. Do your convectors hammer a little? that may be a good reason to investigate further.

If the orifice devices are passing steam, then lower the boiler pressure, even install a vaporstat, check the orifices too.

egreen

one pipe steam system losing water

I have a one-pipe steam heating system that is losing water. I use it to make hot water in the warmer months, heat and hot water in the winter. This summer I have had to add 3-4 gals of water per month( 10-gal cap.). I have checked the piping, jackets and look inside the heating chamber, and can’t find the source. There is no sign of steam coming out the chimney. I don’t have automatic water feed on the unit; I prefer to add when needed. In the past 10 years that I have owned the house the boiler has never needed water in the summer months. In the winter months I typically add a gal or two. Any thought?

frank_25

If the boiler isn't steaming.....

.....you have a leak at water line or below. Where are the returns? Dry, wet / burried? I would first try this.....Shut off the operating switch, fill the boiler and steam main[s] with water. [ you can go to the main vents and listen to 'em. When they stop hissin' shut off the feed valve.] Walk away for a couple of beers, then start investigating. Check over, under, around and thru the boiler. Don't be afraid to remove the flue collar also. Look at all the wet returns, get down on your knees and get a good look underneath the piping. Burried returns need to be disconnected from the return header or where-ever and filled with water to the brim. At this point it's time for another brew. You have to find it because it exists, or else there is a good ole dead man in your basement havin' fun witcha. bwdik?ijap