New home - Heating Situation

gallegad

Hello all, just signed up and trying to make sense of the heating system in a home my wife and I are possibly looking to purchase. I'm not too experienced with heating and cooling so just trying to understand how this whole system works.

All the rooms have radiators, no vents. There is an oil tank in the basement and what appears to be an oil furnace. The hot water heater appears to be natural gas. All the mechanicals seem to be newer and in great condition. Just trying to understand how this whole system works. Does the oil furnace heat water for the radiators and the gas water tank provide hot water for the rest of the home? And since gas is already there, would swapping to a natural gas heating system be the better route to go? I attached some images.

Any help is greatly appreciated.






Thanks

Steamhead

That's correct. The oil boiler- it's a boiler, not a furnace- heats water which is then circulated to the radiators. You have a "hot-water system" which should give superior comfort and efficiency- much better than forced-air ever will.

The gas water heater provides hot water to your faucets.

If you buy the house, you will need to have a pro come in to service the boiler. Tell us where you're located- we might know someone. It should also be possible to switch that boiler to gas without replacing it, but again, you need a pro for that.

neilc

post a wider veiw of the lennox, and of any pipes and pumps around it, all in 1 shot, or 2 angles,
your OP is pretty much answering your own questions,
Gas domestic hot water,
oil heating water,
more pictures = more specifics,

EdTheHeaterMan

What @Steamhead said, plus:
The price to make the change from oil to gas may not be cost effective. Consider that the price of fuel may go from oil being lower to gas being lower over the years of ownership of that heating system. If you are going to get the most efficient natural gas boiler, they are more expensive than the standard gas boiler by more than $3000.00 in most areas of the country. Add to that the fact that on average they only last about half as long as the lower price models. Then consider that the existing Oil boiler will have a similar efficiency as the standard gas boiler as far as operating cost. Investing 5 figures in replacing a boiler that has more than 25 years of life expectancy just does not add up. The rules of this site do not allow us to talk about actual prices. I would keep the Oil Fired Boiler since the equipment looks like it is in great shape.

If there was an identical home with a 35 year old gas boiler heating the home, I would select the one with the newer oil heater. If the heaters were the same age, I would select the gas heated home.

EDIT: There is no cooling associated with this system. This is a heating only. Central air conditioning would have vents of some type.

JazminWeeks

You've got it pretty much figured out: your oil furnace heats water that circulates through the radiators to warm the house, while the gas water heater takes care of your domestic hot water needs. Since your home already has a gas connection, considering a switch to a gas heating system could be a good move—often more cost-effective and efficient than oil, depending on local gas prices and availability.
Definitely worth getting a professional opinion on the potential benefits and costs of making the switch. For more helpful tips and real estate info, feel free to check out this source. Good luck with your new home!

Big Ed_4

What would they pipe the tank like that ...