Oil Consumption

Jim Davis_3

If someone told you it was 82% efficient he doesn't know how to interpret his meter. Most combustion analyzers are off a minimum of 17% when calculating efficiency. Plus the same efficiency can be attained by an infinite ways of different set-ups that are absolutely wrong. Steam is the hardest system residentially to come close to measureing real efficiency, so the efficiency has to be interpreted based on Oxygen and Stack Temperature(BEST vs. WORST) Meters can calculate efficiencies over 90% and yet the equipment is only running at 50%. Need O2 & Flue Temp for better evaluation.

Bernard Smith

I own a three family house approx. 5,000 sq. ft. The boiler serves 19 radiators. This is a one pipe steam system. System works well and is well vented and everything well serviced. Correct size nozzle is in the burner.Boiler also produces domestic hot water. It consumes about 70 gallons of oil per week. Is this system running efficiently or it burning too much? Costing me about $750 per month. Am I worrying about nothing? Not complaining, just unsure. Thanks.

Steamhead (in transit)

If the system is running well

you could make it run less by tightening up the house if you haven't already. Insulation, windows, weatherstripping- all will lower your oil consunption.

What type of domestic setup do you have? Tankless coils are much less efficient than indirect tanks.

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Bernard Smith

Double glazed PVC windows througout. Admittedly, not the best quality but the house has 45 windows so i aint changing them. No drafts, good portions of the house insulated; everything accessible is insulated and any time new construction was done it was insulated. i have a tankless coil unit in the boiler. Not sure what an indirect tank is? You mean like a seperate water heater? I was of the opinion that the steam boiler that also heats the domestic water was effectively killing two birds with one stone? I have a very low gas bill(just my stove) so am I not saving in this sense?

Steamhead (in transit)

An indirect tank

is shaped like a standard heater, but is heated with hot water from the boiler running thru an exchanger in the tank.

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Bernard Smith

I didn't understand you at first. I do have an indirect tank, so any other thoughts about my consumption?

Joe Grosso

oil

I don't know Bernard, but it seems pretty normal to me for your application.

steve_93

How does it compare to last year?

Bernard Smith

my consumption is down from last year due to some venting i did which got heat faster to where it should be going. I'm not overly concerned. If my consumption level is normal, then so be it. As you all know, steam heat is a never ending journey.

Bob W._3

Does someone in your area offer a reasonably priced blower door test, and maybe even infrared pictures? Sounds like your system is running well otherwise. You indicated on another thread that you are a carpenter so I'm sure fixing air leaks would be no problem. Good luck.

P.S. How many heating degree days for the period in which you used $750.00 of oil? And what cost was the oil. Go here to figure out the relative efficiency of your home:

http://www.homeenergy.org/consumerinfo/benchmarking-energy-usage/index.html

scott75

It wouldn't hurt to have a combustion test done on the burner to make sure it is burning as efficiently as possible.

mario & luigi

We are amazed that the tankless prevides enough hot water for three dwelling units. you may want to try a storage tank for the coil. it is not an indirect,but a tank with a pump and thermostat that uses the coil to heat the water then stores 30, 40, 50, 70, or 120 gallons. superstore and tfi everhot make them I'm partial to the everhots (made in new england). they are generally half of what an indirect costs and you won't have all that muddy water ruining your expensive indrect heater. i think if you use some kind of tank either indirect or storage you'll keep that giant boiler from running so much

Bernard Smith

Maybe you misunderstood. I do have a 70 gallon indirect tank with a pump and aquastat which calls the boiler when water goes below 120 degrees.(Used only in the Summer) Tankless coil would never provide enough hot water for three dwelling units

Bernard Smith

I had this test done as part of my service/tune-up. The guy told me 82% efficient. He said this was a very good number. What you think?