layman's question of gas versus oil

Paul_2

I'm a homeowner with a very old boiler (at least 40 years old). Figure it is very inefficient and it is very loud. It is an oil burner. Planning on getting a totally new boiler. We don't currently have gas in our building, probably the only house on our block without. The old line coming into the house has rusted out and would need to be replaced from the street in. Seems like a complicated and probably expensive proposition. Is this true? Are gas fired boilers quieter than oil fired burners? Is my current oil fired burner so noisy when it runs (the sound of the blower very clearly on the floor above) becuase it is so old? Planning on getting a local professional in for an estimate and opinion, but I've always found it best to do a little research beforehand. Thanks for any input you could provide.

John@Reliable

New oil fired systems are very effieient and very clean.
Infact us gov. now claims they are cleaner than gas.
I think the real different is service, the oil co. knows you unlike the "gas co" if you don't like your oil service
you can change easy not with gas, plus gas costs more . When replacing a system sometimes the cost from junk to top of the line is less than $500.00 over 30+ years the best really doesn't cost more,it sounds like you have a warm air system? check into Hallmark , Thermopride both nice units good luck hope this helps

Dale

There's a reason

the rest of the houses on the block use gas. Check the cost per therm for both, the added yearly maintenance cost to keep an oil unit running cleanly the oil tank that needs to be perpetually filled and talk to the neighbors. Ask about the cost of heating the hot water with oil how about that oil clothes dryer or range? The reason the NE had oil heat is that the gas mains there didn't have the capacity and that the oil was cheaper.

Marian

Noisy blower

We have a one pipe steam system. The boiler was oil at one time, but the prior owner converted to gas in the 70's. Up until last year it had a fan for the exhaust that was real noisy. Well, it was on its last leg so instead of replacing the fan, we had our chimney lined and now the exhaust goes up the chimney. It is SO much quieter - we can't even hear when the boiler is running. I am a nonprofessional in this field so I am not sure if your fan you mentioned is for the same thing. But if the fan is for the same reason and there is a chimney in your house, check to see if it can be used for the exhaust. Also, if your fan is for exhaust as ours is, I wouldn't think that replacing the boiler is going to make the fan quieter?

Steamhead

Oil vs. Gas

When replacing a boiler, the question really isn't whether to use oil or gas since either will work well, and the cost per BTU are usually fairly close (but this can vary). Rather, the quality of the boiler and the installation job matter most.

Replacing the gas service line can be expensive and disruptive. But it might be worth it if you prefer using gas. You may also want to change from an electric water heater, dryer and stove to gas-fired units if they're a lot cheaper to run in your area than electric units.

Use the Find a Contractor page of this site to locate someone in your area who can do the job right.

To Learn More About This Contractor, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Contractor"

Steve

Oil vs. Gas

Obviously,I would stick with oil because I'am an oil heat dealer.I have this "thing" about quiet boilers as my bedroom is directly above my heating system.We have installed many different boilers and I would reccommend several that I think are not only quiet,but very fuel efficient,clean,easy to service,and parts are always readily
available.They are:

1.Viessmann Vitola 200 oil boiler-THE BEST-Top of the line, but is on the expensive side."Whisper quiet"

2.Buderas G115 or G215 series boiler with the Carlin EZ-PRO
oil burner-(Make sure you specify the EZ-PRO oil burner)
This is another top notch boiler but no where near the price of the Viessmann.

3.Burnham V-8 series oil boiler:Very good boiler with a very reasonable price.I was shocked at how quiet it was the first time we installed one.The new oil burner sound cover that comes standard really makes a big difference.

Please feel free to e-mail may if I can help you in any way.
I would be glad to walk you through a boiler choice.

Good Luck!
Stephen deLisle
East Greenwich Oil Co. Inc.