Wanted your 2 Cents, oil boiler related!

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silverfox103

Feeling the Heat
Oct 4, 2011
489
Littleton, NH
Got this pellet stove thing figured out, 2 stoves, 1 electric hot water heater and zero oil usage. I like it that way!

Now, my now backup heat is forced hot water by oil. The boiler is probably 35 years old. It is still running good and as long as I'm here won't be used much. I have noticed, in areas where there is natural gas available, people are changing there oil boilers to gas. I live in the mountains of NH, gas won't be here in my lifetime.

So, I see a lot of relatively new (4 to 10 years) oil boilers being sold for about $500. Should I think about picking up one of these and having it installed or just stay where I am as who knows what is going to happen with oil. With installation, I'm guessing I'd be spending $1000.

Tom C.
 
Good question. Who knows where oil is going, especially with Iran's latest actions driving up the price of crude again.
 
I would stand pat.
If your boiler is working fine but not being used, you only have to worry about preserving the oil.
Good for you!
 
OK boys, I'm still on the fence. So far the responses: 1 for, 1 against and 2 on the fence with me.

Tom
 
Thanks Smoke Show

UPDATED: 1 for, 1 against and 3 on the fence with me.

Tom
 
smoke show said:
SmokeyTheBear said:
Quality isn't what it used to be.

That can go both ways.

Well when it comes to old boilers it is usually in favor of the older ones.

To the OP what I'd do is see what the parts availability is for your old unit, then have it inspected by someone who services but does not sell them. Take it from there.

I've removed a couple of oldies and they were built to last and unfortunately I've also replaced a new one within 5 years because of structural issues.

I've seen some old heating units outlast the availability of replacement parts and their manufacturers.

If the prices are really good and you can get all of the crud out of the potential replacement and have the storage, you could consider both replacing your old unit and storing a cold spare.
 
Zero oil usage and you want to WHAT??

Seriously, if your old one is working fine I would just keep it in good operating condition (which should take very little-maybe run it occasionally up to temperature). You'll always be able to buy that $500 boiler anytime you feel the old one is not reliable. I would think about maybe saving towards a gas fired boiler, especially if a good deal comes along.
 
OK, I'm off the fence, pushed by two Maine guys.

SmokeyTheBear said:
Well when it comes to old boilers it is usually in favor of the older ones.

To the OP what I'd do is see what the parts availability is for your old unit, then have it inspected by someone who services but does not sell them. Take it from there.

Smokey got me thinking, I do have it serviced regularly and any parts and repairs are always done. Good Point!!

Then steam man came by and gave me the big slap in the head that I needed!

steam man said:
Zero oil usage and you want to WHAT??

Seriously, if your old one is working fine I would just keep it in good operating condition (which should take very little-maybe run it occasionally up to temperature). You'll always be able to buy that $500 boiler anytime you feel the old one is not reliable. I would think about maybe saving towards a gas fired boiler, especially if a good deal comes along.

steam man, when you speak of a gas boiler, are you referring to natural or LP, I know they are the same boiler. We don't have natural gas here and am not sure if LP is any better than oil.

thanks

Tom
 
Four years ago and before the pellet stove I was sitting In my thirty five year old house with the original Columbian cast iron oil burner. I had three oil guys give me there opinion on the health of the oil burner . All said the unit was solid BUT if i were to have any problems with the controls I would be hard pressed to find any and If I did they wood be very expensive. I ended up putting in a new unit and down the road a pellet stove which I am using for 80% of my heating needs now
 
keep it if its not broke then leave it alone, i have my forced hot air oil serviced every year, which use when I'm gone for weekends snowmobiling. well its been on few times

plus oil still sucks for being efficient no matter what you get. I to wish I could switch to gas but my town line is no where near my house and it would be a fortune to have done.

So nice to have a pellet stove
 
The old ones are simple and easier to fix, but not as efficient
New ones will not last as long but more efficient
Can you get someone to change it out for $500?
I went to a heat pump and away from oil and everyone wants $700 to $1000 to remove my oil boiler.
 
Like I said, I have always maintained it. I don't know of one thing that hasn't been replaced, atleast once. It is an American Standard and have never had problems with parts being available. It seems to have just a standard Honeywell control box. If it goes in the middle of winter for some reason, I proved this year I don't need it, and can get it replaced when the deal is right. Unless a better plan comes along, that's the plan!

Tom
 
pinewoodburner said:
Can you get someone to change it out for $500?

I would think I could, maybe no more than $700. I would say it is a one day job. I would have to get rid of the old boiler, which is not a problem. Maybe getting rid of your old boiler, for some reason, might be the problem.

Tom
 
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