Oil vs. Gas

Bob_8

What is better Oil or Gas for heating a forced hot water system? Why? Is it true that oil is cheaper, but dirtier? I am replacing a boiler, and want to know which way I should go. Is one more efficient? Will one be less expensive? What about long term service of the burner??

Joe Grosso

Bob

I will start with that both choices for heating your hot water heating system are great.If they are installed properly both fuels will work great with very little problems.As to maintainence any heating system with any type of fuel should be serviced annual to make sure that it is working up to proper eff and safely.There is a false belief that fuel oil is a dirty.A properly setup unit will run as clean as any gas unit.I should know I have a oil unit that I installed four years ago that has not been touched since day one except for a fuel filter every other year.As to cost I believe fuel oil gives you much more of chance to shop for fuel prices and service as most fuel oil compnies at least in my neck of the woods are full service.As of today the prices for fuel oil range from a 1.19 to 1.85 per gallon.This is off my county board on fuel prices.Can not say the same for ng one price and if you do not like it tough.In my area ng figured into a gallon to compare with fuel oil is 1.68.I hope I have helped you decided

Big Ed_2

Fuel choice

First ,Which is better for a Hot water system ? Does not matter for the system both fuels are burned to produce heated btu's. Gas holds 100,000 btu's per therm and oil holds 140,000 btu's per gallon.........

Right now oil is cheaper ,I would guess for the last ten years . During the 80's gas was cheaper. Reason being "Deregulation" Oil was deregulated in 1978 and gas was in1992. Before 1978 oil was cheaper..

Dirtier ? Both could produce soot if the burner fouled . There are more ways for which a oil burner's fire could change for the dirty. But the new oil burners produced today run very clean with less problems... Take a Riello burner ,maybe I seen two soot up in twenty years?

You should check the efficiency guide on any equitment before you buy... You can find efficient equitment being made for both fuels.


Will one be less expensive to install ? I could only say "Depends"

Long term service ? Put a side that both should be checked on a regular bases for safty , oil would require a little service then gas over the years. Oil has more working parts ...Now a far as boilers I would recommend cast iron for longevity