What should I learn about my 1940s tankless coil oil boiler? (General Motors Delco DB-4S)

Oh my. You've gotten your mileage out of that old beast.

Yes, the yellow handle you note should be opened around once a week in the winter when the boiler is running, and allowed to run until the water isn't muddy. Doesn't have to be clear — but shouldn't be muddy. Then use the feed valve from the water supply to bring the boiler water level in the sight glass back up to about the middle of the glass.

And yes, you can turn it off during the day and a while just before showers. You'll save some oil that way, though not a whole lot.

What would save you significant oil particularly in the summer is to replace the tankless coil with a freestanding water heater — could be oil, gas, electric, or even heat pump — and let the steam boiler go cold in the summer — and between heat calls in the winter.

Now a couple of other things. Changing the old reliable thermostat to a modern one isn't going to change oil use. Keep the old one. It works, which is more than can be said for the modern ones after a few years.

I don't recommend trying to learn how to service and adjust an oil burner to most people — including myself. To do it right takes some specialized measuring equipment to get the settings right — you can't do it by eye or ear — and the training to use the equipment.

Now. That old thing is not doing you any favours. Your best bet to reducing fuel costs is going to be to replace it with a new modern oil burner. It's not a hard job, but your system is steam, and the average HVAC contractor is pretty clueless when it comes to steam. There are, however, very knowledgeable and honest steam guys out there — if you let us know where you are located, we might be able to suggest one or two.

Replace that beast .That boiler was installed when heating oil was cheap as water . You would most likely cut your fuel consumption down by 40 to 50 percent by having a separate heating boiler and oil fired or better yet a electric hot water heater. Others may say to keep it and brick it up and tune the burner for optimum performace but as time marches on the price of labor ,equipment and materials rise the one thing is they will never drop or get any lower then where they are now and who knows if in a few year if and what will be available . If natural gas is available i would think of upgrading to gas from oil ,if sticking to oil be sure to get tank insurance other wise keep your fingers crossed especially if its a buried tank , . all is not as easy as one may think ,be sure to have your new boiler sized correctly by a edr of your radiators or a valid heat lose be performed also your existing chimney should be inspected to ensure that the liner is there is one is in good shape or i will need to have a liner installed . Again that boiler is ancient and a newer one would surely be much more eff and definitely weigh about 1/2 of that beast which is less mass to heat . In the past i ve removed and replace those older wet based oil boiler and stuck w oil and the home owners where amazed at the drop in fuel use especially w a tankless coil to a oil dealer that coil is like money in the bank .

peace and good luck clammy

I understand Westchester County. I suggested @JohnNY , and I know there are others… Anyone?

Change out old oil boiler for new steam boiler. Add an electric or oil fired hot water tank independent of the boiler

I might add, though, that if the old boiler is still heating your house satisfactorily, you don't have to do both at once. A new electric or oil-fired hot water tank will cut your oil usage. Unfortunately, with your electric rates, an electric water heater will not cut your cash payment for energy — just shift the payment from the oil company to the electric company. Sorry about that… an oil fired hot water heater would, but there are complications with that which may make that an unattractive option in your situation.

I meant — and mean — the tank is completely independent of the boiller. The problem with going for an oil fired independent tank is going to be in the exhaust — and without looking at the chimney, I couldn't say what might or might not work.

The heat pump water heater does save energy. It is also very expensive.

If the boiler is operating safely and your are having it serviced as you posted there is no need to instantly replace it.

Ask around and search this site for 2 or 3 good contractors that know steam and get a couple of quotes and start saving for a new boiler

Also have you house insulation, windows and doors checked for energy efficiency. That will also save fuel

@CoachBoilermaker That is good. The next step is to size the new boiler based on the capacity of the installed radiation. We can help with that and there is information on this site for doing that.

I've seen plenty of steam. Just not in the last 10 years or so. I've just never seen the Burnham MegaSteam boiler in action.

Yes your boiler works, and is somewhat safe (45 second primary, obsolete controls), but like the rigs that still spew black clouds on every upshift… why? It's 2024.

Very often they are replaced with mini-splits, and the customer is miserable ever after. The reason is that steam is, honestly, a little more difficult and time consuming to get right, and many firms no longer have, or are willing to pay at any rate, the craftsmen who can do the work.