Condensing Oil burners... good or not so good, Kerr versus Adams and others......

Taz1956

Hello, new to here and rebuilding a lake house in Lake Hopatcong, NJ. I am researching efficient oil burners for our proposed add a level 1600 sq. ft. home. Some of my HVAC contractors are trying to steer me away from condensing oil fired forced air furnaces. Some say 85-86% efficiency is max for oil. I read 92-95%. Where do I go from here? I am trying to google my life away about this subject and I'm getting mixed answers. One thing I do know is contractors who have NOT installed, or have not DIRECT experience with what I want should not comment on the subject. I feel the ones I talked to are just trying to sell me what units they have agreement with, or what ones they just like to install... Sorta like a die hard Chevy man not going to drive a Ford....you know what I mean??

Jamie Hall

A side comment: if you are planning on a condensing oil burner, you should either be planning on using ultra low sulfur diesel, and not common garden variety #2 as the fuel or should be sure that the condensate is treated and neutralized as rapidly as possible. Both gas and oil fired units will produce a condensate which is very acid, but that from an oil fired unit (unless it is ULSD) contains sulphuric acid as well as nitrous. Nitrous isn't nice, granted. But sulphuirc is downright nasty...

Aaron_in_Maine

If you are doing warm air and want high efficiency I would go propane myself. I have been doing gas and oil for 12+ years and I have only read about condensing oil never seen one. High efficiency gas furnaces are more common. Find the contractor you like and see what he has for options.

Bob Bona_4

I've dealt with condensing oil in the past, will never touch another one. The residue in the secondary heat exchanger is unholy.

Steamhead

If you're looking for the best efficiency and comfort, why not go to a water-based heating system?

billtwocase

Ditto what Frank said.

Taz1956

That is what I told my wife. The duct work is bad, and I redesigned the downstairs to be open concept, few walls to run trunk up to second floor. Pipes can go anywhere. I installed a VHE Weil Mclain furnace in the house i built in 84, and it saved tons of money in gas bills.

Robert O'Brien

Steamhead said:

If you're looking for the best efficiency and comfort, why not go to a water-based heating system?

Steamhead said:

If you're looking for the best efficiency and comfort, why not go to a water-based heating system?

Amen!