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.

American Standard Fuel Oil Boiler / Baseboard

isaacleonard1
isaacleonard1 Member Posts: 21
edited February 2020 in THE MAIN WALL

I just bought a 1968 country home. It looks to have the original American Standard fuel oil Boiler and all baseboards throughout the house. It is very even and comfortable heat and seems to operate with no issues. I have a few questions though for the experts.

1) Where is the tag/how do i tell how old it is?
2) What should I be doing preventatively to keep this thing going for awhile, I plan to replace with LP boiler at some point
3) Are there any sources for the louver clips on the baseboards. I need approx 10 of them around the house.

Thanks for the input, if you have anything else to note please feel free to mention it.

Comments

  • SuperTech
    SuperTech Member Posts: 2,136
    If it's original you should probably consider replacing it. Post some pictures of it and I am sure someone will know the approximate age.
    I wouldn't recommend changing to LP. In most areas the price isn't much better than oil, and oil provides more BTUs per gallon. And for the most part oil equipment is more reliable, easy to service and will last longer. None of the customers that I have talked to have reported any savings from going to high efficiency LP from oil.
    kcopp
  • Grallert
    Grallert Member Posts: 643
    There is or should be a rating plate on the boiler jacket. Depending on the age it could be riveted on or it could be a sticker. I will have all the pertinent information on it. With some sleuthing the serial number should get you the date of manufacture. Post some pictures and someone will like know the age.
    You should have that boiler serviced annually and if you contact your fuel dealer they should be able to either provide and service tech or recommend one. Have a list of any issues you have handy. Whom ever shows up might/ should ask if there is anything in particular you're concerned with.
    See if you can identify the convectors you have. There are a number of manufacturers. Again pictures will help with the identification.
    Miss Hall's School service mechanic, greenhouse manager,teacher and dog walker
  • isaacleonard1
    isaacleonard1 Member Posts: 21
    I attached a picture of the boiler. Also here are the clips I need
  • HVACNUT
    HVACNUT Member Posts: 5,803
    Well the home is circa 1968 so the boiler and burner are the same age. That's no early '80s upgrade.

    If your converting to gas soon, get a qualified oil tech to service, check, adjust, and do a combustion test. Let them know on the phone it's not a retention head burner so don't send a kid.

    A modern oil fired boiler will be clean and dependable, so think hard on the conversion. Probably a cheaper installation and check #2 fuel oil vs. LP in your area.
    You will need a new oil tank as well though.
    Grallert
  • isaacleonard1
    isaacleonard1 Member Posts: 21
    Ok, I plan to call around to see who can check out my boiler. Fuel oil in my area is approx $2.39 gallon and LP is about half that. Should I still be considering staying with fuel oil or not at that price. If I do stay with fuel oil I will need a new tank you say?
  • pecmsg
    pecmsg Member Posts: 4,775
    Get a accurate heat load loss performed.

    Personally I’d stay with oil over LP
    SuperTech
  • nicholas bonham-carter
    nicholas bonham-carter Member Posts: 8,576
    edited February 2020
    Use the SlantFin app for a heat loss calculation.
    Check your chimney flue liner as well.—NBC
  • STEVEusaPA
    STEVEusaPA Member Posts: 6,506
    I'd take that Jimmy Hendrix style burner if your tossing it in the trash.
    A modern, properly sized boiler would be most efficient.
    In the meantime, if you just bought the house how did the code inspector miss the fact that your oil tank is too close to your boiler?
    steve
  • Jellis
    Jellis Member Posts: 228
    keep in mind 1 Pound of propane= 22,000 BTU
    1 gallon of propane = 91,500 BTU
    1 Gallon of heating oil = 140,000 BTU

    that 1 gallon of heating oil gets your a lot more heat then that 1 gallon of propane. Make sure you consider all of the factors.

  • Erin Holohan Haskell
    Erin Holohan Haskell Member, Moderator, Administrator Posts: 2,276
    Since this was posted three times, we've merged all discussions into one post.
    President
    HeatingHelp.com
    Solid_Fuel_Man
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 15,452
    @Jellis

    makes an important point you can't compare propane to oil on a per gallon basis

    I think you baseboard may be Sterling.

    Take one of the clips out and take a picture of it
  • isaacleonard1
    isaacleonard1 Member Posts: 21

    I'd take that Jimmy Hendrix style burner if your tossing it in the trash.
    A modern, properly sized boiler would be most efficient.
    In the meantime, if you just bought the house how did the code inspector miss the fact that your oil tank is too close to your boiler?

    Im not sure I guess, nothing was mentioned about it. Is it possibly not a code violation in my area?
  • STEVEusaPA
    STEVEusaPA Member Posts: 6,506
    It's a violation everywhere...needs to be a minimum of 5' or protected by a fire rated wall (1 hour min I think).
    steve
  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 9,572
    All of that looks like it was shellacked after a fire to seal the soot and smell in.
  • isaacleonard1
    isaacleonard1 Member Posts: 21
    mattmia2 said:

    All of that looks like it was shellacked after a fire to seal the soot and smell in.

    The boiler itself?
  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 9,572
    The boiler, the tank, the studs around it. I could be wrong, but usually that is why stuff gets painted white like that, especially that otherwise super neglected looking boiler being painted.
  • Solid_Fuel_Man
    Solid_Fuel_Man Member Posts: 2,646
    If LP is half the cost/gallon of oil it's a better deal. I prefer LP over oil any day. You get back some real estate by loosing the (too close) oil tank. You can vent gas with plastic pipe through the wall and free up a chimney if you want an alternative heat for backup. Gas can also be used to cook food and dry clothes, as it's far cheaper than electricity for those tasks if your cost is around 1.25/gal. Gas equipment is quieter and is more efficient, but wont be as long lived as that Jimmi Hendrix burner!
    Serving Northern Maine HVAC & Controls. I burn wood, it smells good!
  • HVACNUT
    HVACNUT Member Posts: 5,803
    @STEVEusaPA , I don't understand the Jimi reference and I thought I knew everything Jimi.
    Please check all songs that apply.
    □ Fire
    □ I Don't Live Today
    □ Burning Of The Midnight Lamp
    □ House Burning Down
    □ Stepping Stone
    □ Wild Thing
    □ Machine Gun
    □ Castle's Made Of Sand
  • STEVEusaPA
    STEVEusaPA Member Posts: 6,506
    Lol. You left out Purple Haze. Yes Jimi, not Jimmy, my bad.
    I just call it that because the motor is on the left and the pump on the right.
    Looks 'left handed' (backwards, upside-down).
    Jimi was left-handed. If you ever played guitar at all, for most people, right handed, and picked up one strung for a lefty, you’d be instantly frustrated.
    Not an industry term, just something from my soot sucking, heating oil fume inhaling, oxygen deprived brain...
    steve
    SuperTechSolid_Fuel_Man
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,796
    Maybe that's a DH burner?

    @isaacleonard1 , where are you located?
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • HVACNUT
    HVACNUT Member Posts: 5,803
    > @STEVEusaPA said:
    > Lol. You left out Purple Haze. Yes Jimi, not Jimmy, my bad.
    > I just call it that because the motor is on the left and the pump on the right.
    > Looks 'left handed' (backwards, upside-down).
    > Jimi was left-handed. If you ever played guitar at all, for most people, right handed, and picked up one strung for a lefty, you’d be instantly frustrated.
    > Not an industry term, just something from my soot sucking, heating oil fume inhaling, oxygen deprived brain...

    I like that. It should be an industry term. I emailed NORA about it.
    Left handed Stratocaster strung upside down.
    SuperTech
  • SuperTech
    SuperTech Member Posts: 2,136
    > @HVACNUT said:
    > > @STEVEusaPA said:
    > > Lol. You left out Purple Haze. Yes Jimi, not Jimmy, my bad.
    > > I just call it that because the motor is on the left and the pump on the right.
    > > Looks 'left handed' (backwards, upside-down).
    > > Jimi was left-handed. If you ever played guitar at all, for most people, right handed, and picked up one strung for a lefty, you’d be instantly frustrated.
    > > Not an industry term, just something from my soot sucking, heating oil fume inhaling, oxygen deprived brain...
    >
    > I like that. It should be an industry term. I emailed NORA about it.
    > Left handed Stratocaster strung upside down.

    I absolutely love the Hendrix reference to the burner. For what it's worth, I understood it instantly after looking at the burner the second time.
    If I ever am lucky enough to come across one on the job I'm going to insist that it's a standard industry term for that burner.
  • isaacleonard1
    isaacleonard1 Member Posts: 21
    Steamhead said:

    Maybe that's a DH burner?

    @isaacleonard1 , where are you located?

    Southern Minnesota near Zumbrota/Wanamingo