How efficient (approx) is the Peerless Oil Boiler made in ~1985?

How Are

you currently producing domestic hot water?

First a little info to help with your decision. Sorry for the long post.

Boilers like the Peerless, were the American standard for many years in our industry.  They were tanks.  They ran great with yearly maintenance and heated homes throughout the winter.  They run in the 82% to 85% efficency range. 



Then came an increase in fuel prices.  European imports, like Buderus and Viessmann started to gain fame (actually they had been here for years).   They make great equipment.   The Europeans had been paying higher fuel prices for over a decade.  These boilers are 3 pass.  Meaning that the gases of combustion pass through the heat exchanger 3 times before leaving the chimney.  Many of the older installers didn't like them because they never took the time to understand that with change comes the need to change our installation and setup methods.



With all that being said, the most that we can legitimately squeeze out of #2 fuel oil is around 89% efficiency.  There are some boilers on the market that are squeezing 90%, but the cost of the equipment makes the 1% moot.



In my humble opinion developed over many years in the basement, look at an upgrade.  You wouldn't expect a car to last as long as your current heating system has.  There are some condensing gas boilers available that have efficiencies in the high 90%'s, but that number is dependent on running low temperature radiation.



From the age of your boiler, I suspect that your house has what we call high temp radiation.  You could benefit most from a newer oil boiler with Outdoor Reset capabilities.  Most importantly.  When you start to look around.  A good contractor is more important than the name on the front of the equipment.



Good Luck.