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duel fuel residential?

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GW
GW Member Posts: 4,699
in THE MAIN WALL
Hi guys,

I have a guy who says his father once had a duel fuel system.... is there such a thing? Is there still such a thing? we're talking about removing his gas furnace and installing a new heating/cooling plant.

How about direct vent oil furnace? Any such thing/

Thanks!

Gary

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Gary Wilson
Wilson Services, Inc
Northampton, MA
gary@wilsonph.com

Comments

  • Mike T., Swampeast MO
    Mike T., Swampeast MO Member Posts: 6,928
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    Not only dual fuel...

    ...but triple fuel. Solid, liquid and gas!

    I believe you could switch between solid and one of the others in the same season and without modification but small changes had to be made to accommodate either liquid or gas.

    They [seem] to have been extremely inefficient as a consequence and I have no idea if similar is still available in this country.
  • flange
    flange Member Posts: 153
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    there are many so called duel fuel systems installed around here. the most common setup is a heat pump with oil backup. even though the oil is considered a backup, you specifically buy a duel fuel stat that allows you to run the oil as primary or as the backup to the heatpump. this also takes care of your ac.
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,883
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    Gary, consider hydronics

    since you're going to replace that furnace.

    I can see you're looking for a unit that will burn whatever fuel is cheapest per BTU at any given time. Why not go all the way and install a system that will give more comfort on less fuel to begin with, and last longer?

    The hydronics industry offers everything from baseboard (cast-iron and panel units as well as the usual fin-tube) to beautiful ornate cast-iron radiators, to in-floor radiant. All will give you and your family much more comfort than a blown-air system ever will. And you can still use your ductwork for A/C if you wish, and optimize it for cooling only.

    Go to the Find a Contractor page of this site to locate a Wethead near you.

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  • Joe Kuhl
    Joe Kuhl Member Posts: 17
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    Spoken like a true hydronics man LOL
  • Joe Kuhl
    Joe Kuhl Member Posts: 17
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    Alot of mfgs. make a dual fuel heating plant. IE; Coal or Wood / Gas or Oil. Personally I think they all have a draw back or two. Inconvenience, messy, inefficient, extra maintenance. Up here in northern New England I have an oil fired hydronics system and I also burn 3 to 4 cords of wood a season in an All Nighter. I would never consider combining the two into one system. Lugging wood into the basement, lugging ashes out. Six months of that in these parts of the country. No thanx.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
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    Heres a coal and oil boiler

    we replaced a few weeks ago . I got there late and didnt get a chance to see how this contraption was controlled . Sorry about the pic , it didnt come out too clear , but below the aquastat you can make out the blast tube where a Beckett sat . Down lower and to the left was the coal worm drive - not sure of the real name .

    Ive never seen a residential oil - gas combo boiler yet . We have installed a few Carlin dual fuel burners in commercial boilers in NYC . Riello also make a gas-oil burner , but the lowest input is around 3 gph I think .

    My old boss had a rental home that had a gas gun in a old Repco , and a Riello sitting real close , ready to go . I had to swap the 2 a few times when the tenants didnt pay the gas bill .

    If its a simple system , what about 1 gas and 1 oil boiler ? Sounds kinda extreme unless the price difference in the 2 fuels is huge .
  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 22,242
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    Dual as in?

    If your furnace were oil, gas, or LP fired, a resistence strip heat could be added, faily inexpensive.

    I've seen wood fired (indoor) furnaces with strip heat for backup. I've also seen dual fuel wood/ gas or lp furnaces. Real monstrocitys, with two seperate hx's.

    Sounds like their are lots of options, although you may have to buy the "pieces" and create your own masterpiece.

    Gas to LP is a fairly easy conversion, although as you know not a mere flip of the switch :)

    hot rod

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    Living the hydronic dream
  • tim smith1
    tim smith1 Member Posts: 26
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    dual fuel

    We have many customers who run dual. Mostly Gas / oil. Burners are either Ray or Power Flame. This may not always pan out cost effectively but who am I to ask. Just to inform. good luck, tim
  • B. Tice
    B. Tice Member Posts: 206
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    Coal unit

    Ron, I think that was an Axeman/Anderson Anthratherm.
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,883
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    That's exactly

    who I am!

    To Learn More About This Contractor, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Contractor"
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • Jackchips
    Jackchips Member Posts: 344
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    There's no

    questioning that, Steamhead.

    Your more Popeye than Popeye.
This discussion has been closed.

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