Only OWB for heat, what are some options for when I'm gone?

[brokenknee]

I took a job transfer that requires me to move. The wife and I have been looking at houses, one that we like the only source of heat is an outside CB. I have been heating exclusively with wood for the last five years (electric baseboard for when we are out of town).

I called the CB factory in Greenbush MN and asked if the current boiler could be converted to have a propane or oil backup system installed. The sells rep I talked to told me not unless it was originally set up that way and he would need the serial number to answer that.

The house is completely finished up stairs and down. Would it be cheaper to have an additional boiler put in the basement or would replacing the OWB with one with duel fuel be a better option?

The wife just looked at the house again last night and saw the priced dropped another 10K, I think they are having a hard time selling due to the fact wood is their only source of heat.

One more question, does anyone know if I can get a VA loan on a house with only wood heat?

 

[leon]

You would have to check with the VA to be sure of the question
about a home loan eligible with only a OWB for heat as it does
not have a primary heating system that can be used.

I would not count on it being able to qualify for that reason and that
reason alone.

Having a dual fuel boiler is one thing but the issue is a heat source in the home.

Your in pig in poke situation as your going to have to spend good money after
bad in any case as they(the sellers) did not think about this issue to begin with.

A propane boiler and installation is a purchase that is going to run you at least
8K at a minimum plus the cost of parts and installation.

 

[maple1]

How does the heat get distributed, once it gets into the house?

 

[brokenknee]

baseboard radiators.

 

[brokenknee]

You would have to check with the VA to be sure of the question
about a home loan eligible with only a OWB for heat as it does
not have a primary heating system that can be used.

I would not count on it being able to qualify for that reason and that
reason alone.

Having a dual fuel boiler is one thing but the issue is a heat source in the home.

Your in pig in poke situation as your going to have to spend good money after
bad in any case as they(the sellers) did not think about this issue to begin with.

A propane boiler and installation is a purchase that is going to run you at least
8K at a minimum plus the cost of parts and installation.

yep, it has been on the market for a while. Counting this last price drop they have dropped the price 30k since it was listed. Not quite ready to move yet as we need to sell our current home. I have to move by the middle of July, currently they are letting me commute with employer provided vehicle. Not sure what will happen if I don't get our current house sold.

I'm thinking if it sits on the market another month or two they will be willing to drop the price even more.

The 8k is that for just the propane boiler or a wood/propane boiler? What would installation run? I know the installation price would vary by region but would like to have a base price.

Thanks for all the help.

 

[leon]

One thing you need to fully understand is that a mortage holder is going to
want the home inspected "For Their Money"

TA, DA,!! Once they find that the home has no central heating system
"within the residence" you may not be able to buy it let alone would the seller
be allowed to place the home on the market as the worm has turned to
protect the buyer after so many years of having buyers being screwed
myself included.

=========================================================================================

You could be looking at 12-14K before all is said and done.

The other thing is if its sealed system and the pump is inside you need a
steel expansion tank with airtrol valve NOT A BLADDER TANK as they
do not last.

As far as the plumbing installation its totally dependent on
how honest the plumber is, and how much of a busybody
you are while the boiler is installed as many things have to
be done before that propane boiler is in your basement,
uncrated and placed in the final position.

AND until you know where the pump is and whether there is
an air scoop you have to assume the worst unless you can
post pictures.

PLUS if the OWB is an open system that is another mess
as you have another method of heat transfer to deal with.

Please order 2 books Classic hydronics and Pumping Away from
AMAZON. Dan Holohan does a great job of writing for the
layperson wanting to know more about heating.

 

[maple1]

baseboard radiators.

Is there a heat exchanger between the OWB, and the rads? The distribution side should be separate from the OWB, and pressurized. If there is no HX, and the OWB is part of all one big loop of water - then the distribution stuff has been exposed to an open system for however long as it has been there, which is not exactly good for the distribution system. Very high corrision potential. Sounds like a DIY install, not done right. Maybe. Which makes me think a buyer would have grounds for a price break.

On the other heat source, it would mainly come down to what you have available for fuel, and how much you would be using it. An electric boiler is cheap & easy to install (if there is room in the panel for it), but expensive to run. LP or Nat Gas may be a better choice if it's there already. Or oil. Lotsa choices. But if the existing system wasn't done 'right', there would be some work involved in righting it. (Heat exchanger, expansion tank, water feed - depends what all is there now).

 

[brokenknee]

I did not think to take pictures when looking at the place. The plumbing on the inside looks like it was done professionally, at least someone who knew how to sweat copper and run pipes. There are also a number of zones in the house. I would not know if it is an open system or not, it is a central boiler, model # I do not know. No sure about the heat exchanger, I don't know what one would look like if I saw it.

No natural gas available at the location, options would be electric, propane or oil. I would be leaning towards propane, even though there are price fluctuations with propane, I feel in the long run it would be the most economical of the three.

I will continue to watch the listing to see were it goes. If it lingers for awhile longer, maybe I can get them to pay for the upgrade (money put in escrow at closing until upgrade is complete). Not sure if the lender would go for that, I will have to talk to my loan officer.

Thanks for the replies.

 

[maple1]

I would think they might have a hard time selling with that being the only heat source. And maybe also there may be issues in financing it, and insuring it - might come down to the insurer, and mortgage company.

If you go back, you'd follow the OWB lines inside, from where they enter the house, and see what they are tied into. You can search flat plate heat exchanger to see what they look like, should by rights be one of those. Has 4 connections - 2 on one side for the OWB, 2 on the other for the distribution system. Then there should be pressure guage(s) on the distribution side, and an expansion tank. Lotsa pics should tell.

I don't think there would be a huge difference between oil & LP boilers. If there is a chimney there already the oil could use, that might save $. But I don't think direct vent LP units are too bad to get installed either. I would get an estimate from a local contractor on whatever you are considering before signing dotted lines - he might see other issues too when he looks.

 

[woodsmaster]

Banks wont finance homes with only source of heat as wood. Maybe they would if money is put in escrow as you mentioned. a few electric heaters could be installed pretty cheaply if the panel box has room, and may satisfy the bank.

 

[heaterman]

There are no lending institutions that will finance a residence without "automatically fired" heat source.
No heat, no loan.

Don't do the propane in the CB. Not reliable, cost effective or efficient.