oil vs. gas, steam vs. HW

Kathy

Our 20 y.o. oil burner is dying, and it runs a 1-pipe steam system in a 110 y.o. house. We're debating whether to replace it with a new oil burner or convert to gas. We already have city gas to the house, and the oil tank is fairly new, in the basement after an in-ground tank was removed when we bought the house. We're in Mass. and the prices of gas and oil seem to flip-flop year to year. If we switch to gas, can we stick with the steam system? It works pretty well, now that we've figured out which rooms are warmer and colder and how to manage them. Any advice on how to decide? Thanks! Kathy

ed wallace

dying oil burner

what do you mean by dying is the whole system dying or just the burner if just the burner replace it in ma you pay more for gas than oil if you convert to gas the payback period will be years

Frank_5

dying burner

Technology has come a long way in 20 years. Chances are that you can save a few $$$ in fuel cost if you replace the boiler & burner. The fuel you burn has nothing to do with the type of system ( steam or forced hot water) You want to make sure that your old house is well insulated, 'specially the roof. Check this site for a contractor in your area.

Dave Palmer

if ...

> Our 20 y.o. oil burner is dying, and it runs a

> 1-pipe steam system in a 110 y.o. house. We're

> debating whether to replace it with a new oil

> burner or convert to gas. We already have city

> gas to the house, and the oil tank is fairly new,

> in the basement after an in-ground tank was

> removed when we bought the house. We're in Mass.

> and the prices of gas and oil seem to flip-flop

> year to year. If we switch to gas, can we stick

> with the steam system? It works pretty well, now

> that we've figured out which rooms are warmer and

> colder and how to manage them. Any advice on how

> to decide? Thanks! Kathy

Dave Palmer

if ...

you have a decent boiler just change burners Carlin ez1's are good for swap outs,if you need service your full service oilman will be there for you,the gas company won't(even new stuff breaks down).Stick with a full service company that has at least 15 years under their belt not the COD guys who do it part time.

Kathy

Well, by dying I mean that we just had the transformer replaced, and then this morning the entire house filled with smoke when the firebox collapsed. I was told we need to replace the lining of the firebox and also the front plate (since two of the lugs have rusted off), and that would cost about $500. The serviceman (from a full service company that has a good reputation) said, "I can't spend your money, but I would replace the whole boiler, given the age of this one." I guess I'm kind of freaked after having the fire department here and having to evacuate the house til we figured out what the problem was at 5 a.m. On the other hand, gas scares me, too. The boiler is a Weil-McClain and the burner's a Beckett.
Thanks,
Kathy

Kathy

One other problem we had is that since having the chimney lined (with a pour-in liner) we've had terrible problems with condensation in the summer dripping from the joints in the furnace vent pipe that goes to the chimney. It's a long run, and my fear is that some of that condensation was dripping into the firebox and caused the breakdown of the material. Any thoughts on that would also be appreciated - insulated pipe? disconnecting the vent in the summer? running the boiler occasionally in the summer? There is an old hot water system on the boiler that was disconnected when the gas water heater was put in - we thought about reconnecting that and running the system all year round.
Thanks again,
Kathy

John@Reliable

Kathy, sounds like you have a......

W/M 66 or 68 series boiler.The number before these is how many sections,3,4,5. This is a good boiler and should last 35+ years. The combustion chamber was a bad design when not cleaned right,but can be replaced easy. We are in Ma and do these all the time for around $325.00 Asfar as the front needing replacement? only if cracked,the front is held onto the boiler by four studs one @ each corner,and yes they can and do break but can be drilled out. For the condensation problem your system might already have the right control to solve this,if it is a 8124 control just leaving the system on during the summer will maintain water temp and heat in chimney to avoid condensation in chimney and boiler which will make both last longer.Below are some pictures of a system like yours and good for another 15+ years!Hope this helps John@Reliable

John@Reliable

Dave be nice to the COD guys

We as a service co only like the cod guys,many who only do oil due to the lack of good service people. Just another way to look at it! John@Reliable

Dave Palmer

John..

I guess you could look at it that way.Sorry but the guys in this area are hacks or over priced or both. Growing up in the business has turned me off to guys that just do oil. Lots of guys do great service just not here in RI,sorry if I offended you,just sick of guys doing work on the side,either service or oil. Dave