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can I identify oil consumption each unit on two unit apartment that share same oil heating system?

mridul032
mridul032 Member Posts: 2
in Oil Heating

Hello, I have two tenants—one prefers high temperatures (around 77°-80°F), while the other doesn’t like that much heat, because his temperature also rises. How can I control the heat for each unit separately? Can I set a specific temperature? Additionally, is it possible to identify oil consumption for each unit? Both units currently share the same oil heating system from the same oil tank.

Comments

  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 25,845

    What type of system are we talking about here? Steam? Hot water? Air?

    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 17,489

    No, you can't unfortunately.

    EdTheHeaterMan
  • mridul032
    mridul032 Member Posts: 2

    @Jamie Hall, it's Hot water and brand "Utica boiler".

  • delcrossv
    delcrossv Member Posts: 2,064
    edited February 16

    Separate thermostats? Separate zones?

    Trying to squeeze the best out of a Weil-McLain JB-5 running a 1912 1 pipe system.
  • EdTheHeaterMan
    EdTheHeaterMan Member Posts: 10,342
    edited February 16

    One Utica boiler with two different zones using two different zone valves? or two different circulators?

    It will not be as accurate as an electric meter or a gas meter that has to be calibrated by the authority having jurisdiction, but there are BTU meters that can get you close. You will need to measure both systems with the same type of meter (two meters) then do the math to determine what percentage each unit uses. From that percentage you can divide the oil tank usage from each fuel delivery.

    The percentage may change from one delivery to the next, so you will need to keep a log at the time of deliver from the previous delivery. Like …take a meter reading on the day the oil truck delivers fuel. Then compare the total meter reading from the last delivery. Once you know the total BTU of both zones and divide that total by one of the meters then you will know the multiplier for the fuel delivery purchase.  

    I don't know what a BTU meter might cost, but if it is going to stop a constant discussion over who pays for what, then it may be worth it.

    @hot_rod can tell you how this BTU meter might work.

    Edward Young Retired

    After you make that expensive repair and you still have the same problem, What will you check next?

    Hot_water_fan
  • jesmed1
    jesmed1 Member Posts: 1,228
    edited February 16
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 17,489

    Most jurisdictions will not allow BTU meters for billing.

    Long Beach Ed
  • pecmsg
    pecmsg Member Posts: 5,868

    Why that hot? Really 77 - 80°F?

  • HVACNUT
    HVACNUT Member Posts: 6,676
    edited February 16

    Separate boilers and seperate tanks. Or include it in the rent.

  • JDHW
    JDHW Member Posts: 100

    @EBEBRATT-Ed

    Comment on BTU billing not being permitted. There are district heating systems in Europe that use BTU meters for billing individual properties. What about steam meters on NY steam supply? You can get heat meters that are calibrated to the same standards as electricity and gas meters. They work my measuring the flow and temperature difference between flow and return.

  • pecmsg
    pecmsg Member Posts: 5,868
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1842965#Comment_1842965

    the OP is talking 2 units not District systems.

  • Grallert
    Grallert Member Posts: 939

    Am I reading this correctly? You have one boiler and one thermostat and there's a conflict? One tenant on the first and one on the second? Thermostat on the first? If that's the case and depending where the thermostat is located the only way to do this would be to lower the heat out put in the unit asking for a cooler space. How to do this depends on the type of emitters. Or repipe and zone the floors independently.

    Miss Hall's School service mechanic, greenhouse manager, teacher, dog walker and designated driver

  • jumper
    jumper Member Posts: 2,441

    Thermostatic valves on each terminal. Separate supply pipe with water meter for each suite.

    I bet those who like it warm will turn down those valves.

  • pecmsg
    pecmsg Member Posts: 5,868
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1843086#Comment_1843086

    Those Meters have to be Certified by the local authority having jurisdiction and the state and or county Weights and measures.

    Long Beach Ed
  • Long Beach Ed
    Long Beach Ed Member Posts: 1,726

    Certainly not legal in New York.

  • jumper
    jumper Member Posts: 2,441
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1843108#Comment_1843108

    Is anything legal in NY?

    EdTheHeaterMandelcrossv
  • Long Beach Ed
    Long Beach Ed Member Posts: 1,726
    edited February 17
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1843124#Comment_1843124

    Selling weed and replacing hydronic heat with clean, efficient electric baseboard heating.

    EdTheHeaterMantechforlifedelcrossv

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