UPGRADE BOILER CHANGE FROM OIL TO GAS

jay_7

I have an old oil fired boiler (hot water system). Everything works fine just trying to upgrade for efficiency and save space. I have 2 questions. The boiler I have now uses an aquastat to maintain boiler temperature so when the T-stat calls for heat, hot water is waiting. (1) Do new boilers work the same way or do they only turn on when the T-stat calls for heat, instantly heating the water as it passes through the boiler like a demand hot water heater?
(2) I already have gas sevice & a meter in my house enough to supply a new boiler. I know that when converting you need a licensed plumber. If I converted without the lic. plumber will the gas company give me a hard time?

Dale

Some hits

You'll take some hits from the oil folks on this. A condensing gas boiler offers the greatest fuel effeciency. However your system may need water so hot the return wouldn't be cold enouogh long enough for the condensing process to work and you would have an 87% effecient unit. And, depending where you live oil is sometimes less expensive per therm than gas. If I were you I would have your oil boiler professionally cleaned, a little soot really cuts effeciency, and set up with a combustion analyzer. That will give you an honest starting cost per degree day to determine how long the payback will be for a switch.

jay_7

How do I know if my system needs water that hot?
right now the aquastat is set a high limit of 180 and low limit if 160 with 15 differential. Mostly cast iron radiators and one zone was added for radiant heat. If that helps.

I'm looking more to save space (the boiler is huge ang oil tank too) I also know if I go with a new gas or oil it will be more efficient because the boiler is old.

I live in staten island, n.y.

Pat_11

Take advantage of the find a professional section. Get two or three contractors out to look at the job and come up with some ideas. Most contractors can quote oil or gas. If efficiency and space are your two biggest issues let them know and they will come up with proposals that meet your requirements. Ask alot of questions, get references, that's how I'ld approach it.

kbwk2mch

Stay with oil ! A new oil boiler( Buderus with riello burner) is a smaller good looking and quite beautiful piece of equiptment. You could get your hot water from and indirect heater also. Also look into some of the new boiler reset controlls that have come out ( even if you choose gas)
They will adj. your water temp to meet the load.

Joe@buderus

Boiler choice

Buderus boilers are know as cold start. This means the burner does not fire unless a call for heat or hot water. We offer indirect water heaters that mount under the boiler for tight spaces. If this is a home that you are planning on living in for a few years, I would encourage outdoor reset! Large cast iron radiators don't always need 180 degree water and with constant circulation it will provide comfortable, even heating.

Buderus offers oil and gas fired boilers, the Logamatic outdoor reset control (R2107) and horizontal tanks. If there are any questions on Buderus equipment you may call us at 1-800-283-3787.
Please use the link offer here for "Find a Professional", obtain a couple of quotes, ask questions, bring up any issues that are occurring now and check references.

Dale

Water temp

You find out how hot the water needs to be by adding up the radiator outputs and doing a building heat loss to determine needed output to keep your house at say 68 degrees on whatever is the outdoor design temp for your area, maybe + 5 degrees. As to my comment it's a question of can you heat your house with water cool enough, less than 140, so that the gas boiler can condense its flue products and give you advertised effeciency. If your radiators really need 180 degrees when it's really cold out you won't condense. I agree with all the other posts here, take some time to learn a bit more, if you do decide on a new boiler get one with an indoor outdoor reset to save as much fuel as possible. If you clean and setup your present system and do the math you will probably find a 10 year plus payback which may or may not be reasonable to you.