Welcome! Here are the website rules, as well as some tips for using this forum.
Need to contact us? Visit https://heatinghelp.com/contact-us/.
Click here to Find a Contractor in your area.

oil AND gas boiler good idea?

Hollis
Hollis Member Posts: 105
That is,.. one that can be converted if there is some big disruption of supply. I'm thinking of replacing my big oil burner to gas, (apt house w/ seven units) . I have heard  (from oil people ) that as gas burns at a lower temp its not as efficient as oil esp in a steam boiler (?)  Of course the other side says it is.



I'm wondering if those boilers that can be (somewhat easy to convert) are so much of a compromise in order to be able to, not very efficient (?)

Comments

  • add
    add Member Posts: 94
    oil and gas....

    natural gas or propane?
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,796
    edited May 2010
    Sure it is

    most commercial boilers and some residential ones are available with either oil or gas burners. In the larger sizes you can even get burners that can be easily changed from one to the other, without replacing the burner.



    What boiler do you have now?
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • Hollis
    Hollis Member Posts: 105
    The old girl is

    A 1960's GE down draft.



    Hey don't laugh,... I replaced one a few years ago in another building with a Weil mclain  and with about  the same HDD I burned very close the same amt of oil.

    Techs seem afraid of it but it seems pretty simple to me,..just a jacketed wet chamber,..they plugged the "air cushion" effect duct (my understanding is     and from the diagram on this  site shows a cushion of air came in from the bottom) They said with a newer  gun (becket AF) that it wasn't needed/maybe better w/o it.



    We have a nat gas line that is said to be big enough,.

    Thank you guys,....
  • Charlie from wmass
    Charlie from wmass Member Posts: 4,318
    sizing is important with steam

    the other boiler that you replaced with the weil McLain, how was the boiler sized?  You should see a decent savings with any of the major manufactures new boilers IF THE NEW BOILER IS SIZED CORRECTLY. Sorry but I wanted that heard in the cheap seats. I would guess a decent sized 7 unit building could have a dual fuel burner. Have you surveyed you heat load yet?
    Cost is what you spend , value is what you get.

    cell # 413-841-6726
    https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/charles-garrity-plumbing-and-heating
  • Hollis
    Hollis Member Posts: 105
    not sure

    Haven't surveyed it yet, just starting on this project. I can't say if the other boiler was correctly sized. It was done by one of the bigger oil dealers IN WESTERN MA,.. (Sandri)



    I have to say, I haven't been really happy with them this year in servicing another building we have with a system2000....
  • Charlie from wmass
    Charlie from wmass Member Posts: 4,318
    I service your area

    you can call if you run into issues. If you email me I can send you my cell number so you can get me direct.
    Cost is what you spend , value is what you get.

    cell # 413-841-6726
    https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/charles-garrity-plumbing-and-heating
This discussion has been closed.