Oil Burner or Gas Burner/Peerless WBV-03 or WBV-04

Crowk11771

House ca. 1926. Childhood home. Original boiler died this year (100 years old). Have to get a new boiler/furnace. I'm terrified of a gas burner. But I do have gas drier, hot water heater, and former stove. House is approx. 2,000.00 sq. feet. Have original cast iron/hot water radiators in good shape plus new cast iron radiators where new construction occurred. Should I just replace with a new oil burner or should I convert to gas. Two different contractors quoted for different size Peerless oil boilers--one for WBV-03 and the second for WBV-04. Downstairs of house has original windows restored with storm windows on the outside. No Attic/ eves are insulated. Which size oil burner should I go with? Or, should I convert to a gas boiler? I already have a separate gas water heater (tank.) If you have any advice, I would appreciate hearing from you. Thank you. Kacey

kcopp

Natural gas would be my preference. With the cast iron radiation, a modulation unit would be a good match.
Why are you scared of gas?

Crowk11771

Afraid for safety reasons. Contamination of interior air/gas leaks/explosions.

kcopp

The gas piping runs at ,1/2# of pressure. Typically, its tested at 3-5 psi.
Chances of an explosion from a gas leak is very, very low.
I have Natural gas in my home and love it.

Jamie Hall

Two thoughts. First, has either of your contractors actually computed the heat loss of your home? It's not hard to do -- there are several applications -- but you really can't size a boiler without that information. The other thought is on oil or gas. You need to compare the actual cost of heating your home with both, as depending on where you are located there may be a significant difference. Especially if by "gas" you mean LP gas, not natural gas. Both LP and natural gas are, generally very safe. But do compare the costs.

HVACNUT

With 2,000 sq ft, I would normally say the 3 section is more than enough. But a heat loss calculation should be done since it's such an old house and special care should be taken to how much that loss actually is. Or isn't. 
The WBV isn't a bad boiler by any means, but there are better. Neither contractor offered a 3 pass boiler for oil, or a mod con for gas? I'm an oil guy, but not because of safety reasons. Today's gas equipment is very safe, as long as its installed properly. 

STEVEusaPA

I’d put in a properly sized EK oil (could be converted to gas) or a triple pass if you don’t need domestic hot water.
Modern Oil is just as clean and efficient as nat gas. Mod Con requires maintenance and not properly sized or installed are less efficient.
No matter what you choose, you’re not getting 100 years out of the new one.

Big Ed_4

Cast iron boiler , push nipple construction without a coil plate like a Buderus , I can't see why it would not last 100 year . It has already been proven .. No ?