Steam Boiler w/gas vs. fuel oil

J.C.A._3

The gas is coming from a utility, and in most cases you aren't going to be doing any shopping for it.

With oil, if you don't like the supplier, you can change.As to the fuel, it makes no difference to the system, a btu is a btu. The difference is how you extract the usable heat and direct it in the appropriate manner.

There ARE lots of other things to consider before switching. #1 being return on investment. If you change, you will have to get rid of the tank. If you stay with oil, the tank should also be one of the points addressed. (Is it old? Is it in good shape? will a tank cleaning make it last ?) There are also more usable btu's per gallon of fuel oil in most cases, but in all cases with steam heat. (No condensing steam units I know of)

Tough decision to be sure but you now have the option of shopping for another or maybe even a better supplier and technician to install your new equipment properly and make it pay for itself quicker. Hint...Try Find A Pro on the left ! Chris

Glen_5

Need new boiler-gas or oil?

I have a large old steam boiler which runs off fuel oil. This is a large house, around 10K sq/ft. I also have natural gas in the house and I thought given the price of oil lately, maybe this would be a good time to go to gas. I spoke with one heating guy who told me gas and steam don't play well together. Is there anything to this? If so, in what respect? I hate being tied to fuel oil if I can help it. Thank you.

lchmb

to start

I will agree completely with what J.C.A. said. Another thought I have is to check with your local gas supplier. See if there are any delivery charges or cost of upgrading your incoming line. Another question would be do they have service tech's on call? Would make a bad night if your system failed and they dont (in my area the natural gas supplier does not offer service)..Check with your oil supplier, do a pre-buy. Or check with other local companies. I would recommend against shopping just on the price of the oil unless you have a good service man who will take care of your system 24/7...

Al Letellier_9

steam and gas

I agree with the other posts, but to answer your question directly, yes, you can make steam with gas. If you go that route, make sure and discuss boiler options with your heating pro. We use exclusively Weil McLain for steam boilers and have almost always used the SGO boiler with a power gas burner (RIELLO). It's a little more money, but you have the option to go back to oil with this boiler. An atmospheric gas boiler can never be converted to oil. Consider your options very carefully before you leap.

To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"

Christian Egli

Dual fuel burners give you flexibility and... power

I just read the last issue of Energy User News in which there was a chart on energy costs.

Per the chart, natural gas prices are quite a bit higher than oil. This is while adjusting the energy content of the various fuels.

This seems to be the situation since a few years now. Three years ago oil was more expensive.

The chart also had a volatility index which is going through the roof right now.

There is no horrible problem particularly associated with gas powered steam boilers, or else how would you explain the sheer number of them. They're everywhere.

Rodney Summers

Hey Al

Do you buy a knockdown W/M gold and then fit it with a riello gas burner when doing steam every time?? Will W/M stand behind you if God forbid theres a problem? Is the warranty intact using that approach? I've done retrofits to gas guns but never new work. Now you got me thinking. Thanks.

Glen_5

Thanks

Thanks for your responses guys. I am definitely not a do-it-yourselfer on this. I just want to get enough backround so when I meet with a pro, I know the right questions to ask. I understand and appreciate the fundamental differences between dealing with a private fuel oil company vs. a utility. On the other side is the news every day about oil prices with no apparent end in site. This is a large house to heat and now is the time for me to plan properly. In the new boiler, I would like to also have 2 or 3 hot water coils for separate zoning/expansion for forced air. Does this change anything in the choice between oil/gas?

THANK YOU.

Constantin

I don't think the fuel makes a difference...

... though, as some have pointed out, oil-rated boilers can usually be converted to gas if need be. So, to hedge your bets (and still have a warranty if you make a switch), I'd go with an oil-rated unit.

The second part of your question is answered in "The lost art of Steam Heating" by Dan Holohan, IIRC. He details just how many BTUs you can extract out of a steamer w/o affecting its operation. I would buy the book just for all the information in it... the potential savings that you can achieve by optimizing your steam system (vents, etc.) will likely make the book pay for itself over and over.

Joe Brix

Nat Gas prices are going up also

I think the best AFUE on a steam boiler is oil fired @ 85%. Gas units are normally around 80-82%. I would keep oil for steam and get a seperate gas boiler for the hot water coils and to feed an indirect for hot water.

Dale

Some thoughts

I must start out saying that in my state oil is pretty rare and gas is the standard for residences. Also, I work for a company that sells gas. We track prices and in the midwest oil averages higher over several years, gas is cleaner and requires less maintenance and of course no oil tank, gas boilers of equal effeciency cost a bit less. However with a steam system the final choice should be the skill level and dependability of the installing contractor. If you live in the northeast and have a local highly skilled in steam installation and oil service contractor/dealer that would be my first choice. With oil you must be willing pay for the yearly service. Although any heating system should get a yearly safety check, I see many gas fired steam boilers that have nothing done in the past 10 years except blow down the lwco and add a little water still running fine with correct stack temps. The contractors knowledge at boiler changeout time will be the difference between a warm feeling and an expensive headache.

J.C.A._3

Glen,

With the last information given, I think Joe hit the nail on the head!

You can leave the steam system on oil and put the fan coils on gas. Added advantage....A/C zones with the air handlers if the need is there. I also like the advice of using a boiler that can be converted to a power gas burner down the road. Make sure your contractor CHECKS with the manufacturer to see if this is possible AND COVERED. Nothing worse than having an anchor in your basement if the warranty has been voided. Chris