Need payback numbers for Waste oil vs Natural gas

kevin_5

Central Nebraska 100 X 80 Steel building with 20" sidewalls for large, fold-up farm machinery. BTU load is about 142,000.

Owner is interested in waste oil boiler, I quoted a Buderus/INOV8 waste oil and also a Peerless Pinnacle natural gas at about half the price.

He wanted payback numbers to justify the waste oil burner. I told him I would find out what I could, but that I am only trying to sell him on the hydronics not a particular fuel source.
The oil is free, but how much would it use? How long would it take to "justify" it?
To me it seems there are so many variables, I don't know where to start. I need the voice of experience, but I'd also take just an educated (or even wild) guess. As regional prices vary,comparisons for your own area are good enough.
Thanks in advance. Kevin

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Steve Eayrs

waste oil or NG?

I would ask the farmer how much extra time he has on his hands. I have put ina couple waste oil boilers, and they have high maintiance. Never done the Buderus waste oil but a lot of the reg oil Buderus boilers. I'm sure they do it better than most but would imagine still a lot to take care of. Also burns a lot more oil that a normal boiler, and he may want to make sure he has plenty of free oil. He may want to spend his free time, picking up oil at the neigbors farms.
If hes already short on time, I couldn't recommend it.
It may really cost more than the NG.
Steve