Fuel Type for Steam Boiler Replacement?

Zorian Pinsky

Due to a concern for deteriorating asbestos insulation around our steam boiler and the associated cost to repair it I am considering to replace the steam boiler, as well. The boiler is McClain of 70+ years old, oil heated, but operating satisfactory, so far.

Few years ago I calculated that it would take 10+ years the boiler replacement expense to pay-off. The calculation accounted gas as a fuel.

Considering the rising cost of natural gas, does anybody have a "feel" or a substantive opinion on rationale or not to use oil as a fuel for a newly installed residential boiler?

Are there any suggestions about the manufacturers of either one type of boilers?

Thank you.

Zorian Pinsky,
Wisconsin

Weezbo

Sir my take on the deal is this...

fuel sources will cost more in the future...the reliability is your next big question..these price increases are an on going process...choosing the most economical reliable product over time coupled with the most effficient system and level of control you can install now did i mention added insulation? look long term...our costs are realatively "Fixed" on products as is insulation....instead of looking at the cost in dollars try to see costs as a precentage of your income amortised over time. we use oil Alot in Alaska...however the natural gas is fairly well entrenched and can be controlled to provide excellent efficent systems. then there is the idea that what are the recent innovations in the heating and hydronics fields. construction practises have changed and are continuing to do so so much so that the building materials are becomming more and more reflective of the reality of the real Costs of even the manufacturing effects on fuel resources expended in that process. so the deal is insulate insulate insulate designe control stradgey remember waste not want not.i am having to dash off to work...Best of luck in your reading of the "crystal ball"none of us really have a crystal ball in the work truck its just a dumb plumbers joke.

Geno_15

here's 2cents

I'm not too familiar with Wisconsin. Is oil available ,is it feasible? is the cost enough to pay for the switch? If your on NG you should also have your stove, drier and grill on it, these are all more eff on gas than electric. If you put in a Weil Mclain Steam, { stick wih steam son , you'll be happier}, with an oil burner I think your payback will be sooner than you think. Oil is more eff. For example 1 gallon of #2 fuel will get you 140,000 BTU's of heat, the equivelant of NG will get around 97,000 BTU's, so oil is ahead by 40,000 for each gallon burned, then you have to take your local prices and see where that is. It will depend on your situation. Hope that helps.

Zorian Pinsky

here's 2cents

Geno,

Thank you for the reply. The present boiler is using oil. I will stick with steam because it is what the piping system is buit for. To convert it to water is insanity, considering what would be involved to do it.

Zorian

Firedragon_4

I don't know the market out there, but

on the East Coast oil has a 40% advantage, just in cost, not counting efficiency.

Something to ponder; buy a state-of-the-art steam boiler for oil, put in whhatever powerburner you want (Nat., oil, LP) then in 5 years if you think you made a mistake the boiler's still good. Don't switch, accomodate!

J.C.A._3

Great Idea !

I HIGHLY recommend sticking with steam too. As long as the people working on the unit are comfortable with it, and address all the "usual suspects" on a new boiler install, you'll have no problems.

MOST important, without ANY doubt, is to follow the manufacturers recommendations on piping. They've had far more time to study this than any of us here in the field, and they have tried all the "hairbrained schemes" that anybody will try. The stuff in the manual is what they found to be the best,make sure it is followed.

As to fuel, your guess is as good as any of ours. If you've got oil, and have had it for a long time your probably comfortable with your supplier. The price of everything is going up. Haven't seen much go down in my 40+ years on the planet. The insulating advice is spot on! Find the weak spots and address them also.

If your going to stay with oil,(I know I would)make sure you get a good tank inspection. It may be worth the extra $ to replace the tank at the same time. The biggest problems I've seen with oil burners are usually related to the tank. (20 years in the service and installation field)

Best of luck to you, and do us all a favor and take some before and after pictures. We love stuff like this! Chris

Firedragon_4

Great advice as usual JCA and don't

forget the buried oil line, unless you've found a prescription for those anti-Kryptonite glasses of yours. More leaks are caused from unseen sources than seen.