Probably an easy question

BKCraig

I am rapidly approaching the purchase of my first house.  The contract is signed and we are just waiting for the mortgage to come through.

As I am sure you remember, when you are in this process everybody gives you advice.  I just got some advice and was wondering if this board could give me some insight without me giving much detail.

The place we are buying has a fuel oil powered steam boiler that also handles the domestic hot water.  I can't tell you any detail about the unit except that the home inspector said that it is a very old unit that has been well maintained over the years.  He said it might be the original boiler (house was built in 1925).  I probably should have written down make, model or whatever, but we've only been through the house three times now . . . I was focused on other things.

My friend just told me that the first thing that I need to do when we get into the house is to buy a separate hot water heater so we don't need to run the boiler all summer for just hot water.  I have read a couple other posts with somewhat similar questions and it seems like there are mixed opinions on it.

Is this something that can be answered without knowing the info on the boiler and the fuel usage?

Thanks for any help you can give

STEVEusaPA

well, as always, it depends.

What I recommend, is to get all the info you can about previous usage.  Contact the owner's oil company, and get all the usage/data you can.  I'm sure they will be very helpful, as it gives them an opportunity to meet/make a new customer (or not lose one).

When you say "handles the hot water", you don't say how.  If it's doing it in the most efficient way possible, then why change it?

Wasn't there an addendum to the agreement of sale for an inspection of the boiler(or maybe the mortgage company will require)?

Around the boiler there should be at least a tag hanging telling you the name of the oil company, hopefully there's info on the last tune-up/cleaning, and the efficiency, etc.

Steamhead

And

once you're in, take some pics and post them here. It helps to see it.