Oil vs Propane

18 years ago

I need some basic info and advice. Saw some very technical info on here and I just needs basics.

I live in a rural area outside Buffalo, NY, it gets COLD! And probably very snowy this year! I currently use oil to heat my home. The boiler (Crown I think?)I bought 10 years ago has a crack and is leaking water.

My current oil company, not the company I originally bought this boiler from, spoke to the boiler company about warranty, etc. and told me the boiler company would replace the part that is cracked. But that would mean taking the whole boiler apart and they don't recommend that, and that the system will not be sealed well after being taken apart.

1. Is this a song and dance to get me to buy a new boiler?

So it actually was leaking at the beginning of LAST winter, but then stopped so I did nothing.

Of course, it's getting cold, nites have gotten down to 40 and the inside of the house is about 60 ... the boiler is leaking again. I called the oil company to come and look at it and give me options.

Someone else mentioned that I should look into using Propane to heat my house, since oil has gotten so expensive. I use propane for cooking and heating my water now.

I find oil very dirty ... the house is about 2500 sq ft, though I close off 600 sq ft except when family comes at Xmas to visit. I have some radiant heat. I usually keep my heat at 58 when I am at work all day or sleeping, and turn up certain zones only to 65 while I get a fire going when I get home from work. I have a wood burning fireplace that has a fan that heats the first floor to 70 when it gets going.

So which is better, IF I need to replace my leaking boiler? Another oil boiler, or propane? Or are there other choices that would cost about the same as oil or propane? And please consider that I live in the cold NE.

Thanks!

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Comments (9)

tigerdunes
18 years ago
post cost of oil and your boiler's efficiency.

post cost/gal for propane.
pamghatten
Original Author
18 years ago
If cost is the only factor, I can do the math.

no other pro's or con's for either?

And no comments on the crack in the boiler?
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mr_havac
18 years ago
Actually it's a lot easier and quicker to just replace the entire boiler then taking the whole thing apart in your basement, replacing the cracked section, regasket the sections, draw them back together, then reassemble the thing. I've done several Weil McLain in my time and I won't do another one. It's messy and time consuming. A decent crew could replace a boiler in a lot less time. It may cost you a little more but but that doesn't matter to the guys busting their hump in your basement.
bus_driver
18 years ago
When I saw the thread title, I supposed that it was just about fuel selection. With propane, changing suppliers is not necessarily easy. With oil, you call any supplier for your next fill. Today, I saw Surburban Propane picking up their tank, a big one, at least 1000 gallons, from a business and another company had already placed theirs on the premises. In this area Surburban is known for high prices, if they can get away with it.
garyg
18 years ago
"If cost is the only factor, I can do the math."

Pam:
Your math has to include not only the cost of the fuels, but btu content, and furnace efficiencies.

Take care.
pamghatten
Original Author
18 years ago
Thanks for the replies ...

Since I live in a rural area, propane is used by most homes for something. I actually changed propane suppliers a couple of years ago when I was doing some remodeling, and it was very painless.

Wish I could say the same about the oil companies ... I can't tell you all what the BTU's would be on a new oil boiler since I am still waiting a week later for my oil company to call me back about a new boiler.

It's getting to the point where I might just switch to propane because I get great service from the company that currently supplies my propane. They are working up an estimate for me to replace the oil boiler.

I switched oil compnies 2 years ago because the local oil company I used was no longer servicing boilers, they only wanted to deliver oil. The new local oil company admitted to me last year, they now have too much business because of that. So their service is awful. I'm getting tired of dealing with them, so this might be a real easy decision.

If they ever call me back, and I get some real numbers on what they propose as a replacement, I'll let you know btu's, etc.
garyg
18 years ago
How about a heat pump? You can use the oil or gas as supplimentary heat and the heat pump as primary heat, up to about 32F ambient. Do you have central a/c with ductwork?
pamghatten
Original Author
18 years ago
Hi garyg,

I was wondering what all the talk was about heat pumps ... but no, no ductwork, no ac. Heat is hot water ...

Thanks though ..
harrybrad
17 years ago
Strong economic growth will keep the costs of raw materials and general-purpose equipment high. And that translates into higher oil field development costs.

Here is a link that might be useful: oil companies