oil AND gas boiler good idea?

Hollis

That is,.. one that can be converted if there is some big disruption of supply. I'm thinking of replacing my big oil burner to gas, (apt house w/ seven units) . I have heard  (from oil people ) that as gas burns at a lower temp its not as efficient as oil esp in a steam boiler (?)  Of course the other side says it is.



I'm wondering if those boilers that can be (somewhat easy to convert) are so much of a compromise in order to be able to, not very efficient (?)

add

oil and gas....

natural gas or propane?

Steamhead

Sure it is

most commercial boilers and some residential ones are available with either oil or gas burners. In the larger sizes you can even get burners that can be easily changed from one to the other, without replacing the burner.



What boiler do you have now?

Hollis

The old girl is

A 1960's GE down draft.



Hey don't laugh,... I replaced one a few years ago in another building with a Weil mclain  and with about  the same HDD I burned very close the same amt of oil.

Techs seem afraid of it but it seems pretty simple to me,..just a jacketed wet chamber,..they plugged the "air cushion" effect duct (my understanding is     and from the diagram on this  site shows a cushion of air came in from the bottom) They said with a newer  gun (becket AF) that it wasn't needed/maybe better w/o it.



We have a nat gas line that is said to be big enough,.

Thank you guys,....

Charlie from wmass

sizing is important with steam

the other boiler that you replaced with the weil McLain, how was the boiler sized?  You should see a decent savings with any of the major manufactures new boilers IF THE NEW BOILER IS SIZED CORRECTLY. Sorry but I wanted that heard in the cheap seats. I would guess a decent sized 7 unit building could have a dual fuel burner. Have you surveyed you heat load yet?

Hollis

not sure

Haven't surveyed it yet, just starting on this project. I can't say if the other boiler was correctly sized. It was done by one of the bigger oil dealers IN WESTERN MA,.. (Sandri)



I have to say, I haven't been really happy with them this year in servicing another building we have with a system2000....

Charlie from wmass

I service your area

you can call if you run into issues. If you email me I can send you my cell number so you can get me direct.