Need a new heating system: oil, gas, solar?

16 years ago

I am a regular on the kitchen forum, this is my first post in the heating forum and very much need your help.

Our 1895 house in Massachusetts has a 70 year old converted coal burner that runs off of oil. It is leaking and needs to be replaced. We had to replace the burner on it about 8 years ago and had to replace the hot water heater about 5 years ago (went with tankless coil hot water heater).

We have gas in the house as well. Used just for cooking at this point.

We get a ton of sun at the house and have a lot of roof on the south facing side of the house and would meet the conditions for a solar system so that is also an option.

I am also intrigued by a geothermal system.

I would like to get this done quickly and with minimum expense. I got something in the mail yesterday from our oil company about up to $20,000 in rebates to go Solar ... I'm a little confused in that I thought Solar was converted to electric energy - why would my oil company be promoting this?

Also, they mention a $1500 economic stimulus credit available to upgrade to a more efficient system.

I hate having to spend this sort of money right now, but also see it as an opportunity to put a good long lasting system in.

What would you do in my shoes? stick with the oil?, convert to gas?, take a leap to Solar?

Thanks

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Comments (3)

klaire2001
16 years ago
If your old furnace is the "octopus" type, you may need to replace ductwork also. I prefer high efficiency condensing natural gas to oil heating - because you get the highest combustion efficiency and cleaner burning.

You should get quotes on both - maybe a tax credit can help you swing solar. (which will have a natural gas backup)

Here is a link that might be useful: Tax credits
mamadadapaige
Original Author
16 years ago
thank you for your response. I have had conversations this morning with National Grid (our gas supplier) as well as our oil company. It looks like the oil company will not be anywhere close to the price of the gas company. The gas company is subsidizing new equipment, they say on their website from AM. Standard and Burnham. When I called them they said only Burnham. They have low, medium and high efficiency. I would probably only consider the high because otherwise I will have to have my chimney relined, which consider how tall it is, I am thinking will be $4-5K. From what I understand these super high efficiency condensing units can be vented directly to the outside (unless I am mistaken).

I think the tax credits will help. The only problem is that on the oil, the models that would qualify are in the $12K - $15K range which is far beyond my range.

At this point, unless there is a compelling reason, gas conversion is looking like a no brainer.

of the equipment that nat'l grid is subsidizing, I am thinking of the Alpine Condensing Boiler... will post another question on it, but if anyone has any information on this would love to hear about. The price on the market is in the $4K range and nat'l grid will charge only $1100 for it since it is an oil conversion. then I can also a tax credit or stimulus credit.

I am feeling much better about all of this... this is the worst time for us to be having to outlay cash on a new heating system but looks like it won't be as devastating to our pocketbook as I initally thought.

thanks again, and please more replies if anyone has any perinent info.
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mamadadapaige
Original Author
16 years ago
one question: from what I read on the internet these high efficiency condenscing gas boilers operate more efficiently when in tandem with an indirect water heater. I already have this type of water heater, but it is running off of the oil heating equipment. One plumber I spoke to said it could be hooked up to the gas... does this sound right?

I would hate to have to puchase a new indirect water heater.