Some gas company's will give really good incentives to activate an unused gas line. It would be worth calling the gas co in that area to see what they have to offer.
It's more fuel efficient. I don't think you'll find too many steam boilers that go higher than 82% AFUE whereas hot water boilers are over 96% AFUE. Basically you need to boil water over 212 degrees and it's also under pressure so I think it's about 240 degrees at 10PSI or something like that.Huh? Care to explain that again?!?
It's more fuel efficient. I don't think you'll find too many steam boilers that go higher than 82% AFUE whereas hot water boilers are over 96% AFUE. Basically you need to boil water over 212 degrees and it's also under pressure so I think it's about 240 degrees at 10PSI or something like that.
Go and take a look at the steam boilers you can buy. I think because of the nature of steam, I haven't seen one much about 82% let alone 90%. I still have a few steam boilers, they're about 70-120k BTUs, you might get higher ones with bigger steam boilers but only slightly. With high efficiency direct vent hot water boilers, I think you're over 96%, it keeps creeping up by a small percentage each year. That's why no one puts in steam boilers anymore. I'd convert to hot water, but mine are all one pipe systems and I'd have to change all the pipes/radiators to go to hot water.I think that’s apples and oranges though.
Yes, my mod-con boiler achieves 96+% efficiency because it can tailor its actual temperature setpoint and is designed for the condensation that will occur. It is extracting all the energy it can.
But it’s affecting a huge mass of water and cast iron radiators.
A steam goes to a higher temperature to raise steam, sure, but the amount of working fluid mass is much lower. The thermal mass of radiators are the same, but at least the type of steam systems like in my parents’ other house, is only one pipe, so less losses and half the piping to heat up.
Totally agree if we’re talking mod/con vs steam boiler, at least until the point where one can’t take advantage of the outdoor reset and lower set point temperatures from the boiler.
But traditional hydronic vs steam systems are I think much closer.
I agree - switching to NG would be best long-term, but at your mom's age I would just focus on getting the heat back on for her. One benefit of a boiler replacement is you have the opportunity to pick one that is appropriately sized, and perhaps a more efficient model than the pervious. Most contractors install oil boilers that are about 2x the size needed to heat the house. The right way to do it is to do a heat loss calculation on the house, but most installers will just pick a boiler the same size as the old one.Well, I just found out that the unit was installed back in 1997. It has a hole in the burner and can't be repaired. She had it tuned up every year since they moved into the house back in 2002. The same company that tuned it every year is the same that installed it for the previous owner. She still has 250 gallons of oil in her tanks and has over $800 in credit with the oil company. At 85 years old, it seems going back with the least expensive oil unit would be the best option.
Thanks for all the information. If she was younger and I lived close, I would convert over to NG just for the fact of a lower cost to heat and possibly a better return when selling the house.
Common issue. Check the net for oil removal services. Might be under hazmat services. They will pump it out and sell it to farmers with used oil furnaces or to truckers they know. The oil company that sold it to you will usually not take it back due to possible contamination issues. Not sure how much money they give you for the oil. Not much I’ll bet.I just switched from an oil furnace to propane. Not even close on fuel cost. Now what do I do with 100 gallons of treated #2?
Go and take a look at the steam boilers you can buy. I think because of the nature of steam, I haven't seen one much about 82% let alone 90%. I still have a few steam boilers, they're about 70-120k BTUs, you might get higher ones with bigger steam boilers but only slightly. With high efficiency direct vent hot water boilers, I think you're over 96%, it keeps creeping up by a small percentage each year. That's why no one puts in steam boilers anymore. I'd convert to hot water, but mine are all one pipe systems and I'd have to change all the pipes/radiators to go to hot water.
Understandable. Also, with the increased price of natural gas it’s closer to being comparable.Just if anyone is interested. They are able to replace mom's boiler today. Thankful for that since it is cold. They are installing a Utica Keystone. I'm not familiar with boilers so don't know how good it is, but like I said, thankful that they can do it today.
They could have done NG but it would take at least 3 days since they had to deal with the gas company and it being right after the holiday and the fact that COVID in this are is still an issue and the gas company office is a one man band.
Hmmm,. The spot price for natural gas is over $5.00.Steam is not efficient... is all about comfort when coupled with cast radiators. When we remodeled our house, 1950's ranch, we updated the original oil boiler (likely from 70-80s) with a modern gas mod-con boiler along with european panel radiators throughout the house and staple-up radiant tubing in the bathroom.
Went from a 125k+ to 55k Lochinvar unit (redid all windows, doors, air sealing and insulation of house) with indirect hot water. 6 yrs, 15k hrs on unit... no issues.
My parents in the same neighborhood, with a slightly larger and not as "sealed" as ours (I went overboard on all the details) house could easily spend $2500 on oil for the winter with setbacks... whereas we rock 67-70 day/night 24/7 and pay maybe $800 per winter for gas. Gas was ~ $2/CCF (taxes and all) in CT from Eversource, currently tracking at $2.4/CCF.
Here you go.Steam is not efficient... is all about comfort when coupled with cast radiators. When we remodeled our house, 1950's ranch, we updated the original oil boiler (likely from 70-80s) with a modern gas mod-con boiler along with european panel radiators throughout the house and staple-up radiant tubing in the bathroom.
Went from a 125k+ to 55k Lochinvar unit (redid all windows, doors, air sealing and insulation of house) with indirect hot water. 6 yrs, 15k hrs on unit... no issues.
My parents in the same neighborhood, with a slightly larger and not as "sealed" as ours (I went overboard on all the details) house could easily spend $2500 on oil for the winter with setbacks... whereas we rock 67-70 day/night 24/7 and pay maybe $800 per winter for gas. Gas was ~ $2/CCF (taxes and all) in CT from Eversource, currently tracking at $2.4/CCF.
Hmmm,. The spot price for natural gas is over $5.00.
Here you go.