used oil boiler veterans

[andis65]

Ok, I have a 30x40x12 building, fully insulated with insulated floor and pex tubing already installed on construction. I was going to insatll a natural gas fed boiler or on demand water heater but met a salesman this weekend who sells recycled oil boilers. Is this option worth the extra cost on initial purchase combined with always having to get used oil from people? i know its "free" to run, but if im constantly working on it i would rather set the thermostat and forget about the natural gas option. Anyone have these oil burners thinking it was going to save them money and regret it later???

 

[Highbeam]

Are you able to burn heating oil in it as well as used engine oil?

Without a source, I would be looking into conventional fuels.

 

[koditten]

Why not look for a used gas boiler. Thats what I did. I think I paid 250 for my 10 year old 90k unit. Lots of people switching to forced air so they can have A/C.

I couldn't be happier.

 

[nehog]

Are you able to burn heating oil in it as well as used engine oil?

Without a source, I would be looking into conventional fuels.

Many waste oil burners are very inefficient when fueled with home heating oil. Add to that you really do need a good source of oil, which may seem easy but often is not.

I know of shops that do lot's of equipment work who can't generate enough oil for economic heating.

Oh, and BTW, in some states you cannot burn waste oil that you don't generate onsite (MA is one such state.)

 

[Shop Specialties]

I have been doing nothing but waste oil heater/boiler sales AND service for 22 years.

The smallest waste oil boiler would be way overkill for that size shop. Go with Natural Gas and do not look back.

 

[andis65]

thank you for the advice!!

 

[Charles (in GA)]

I know nothing about these folks, but they make boiler systems down to about 75,000 btu, so it might be worth looking into.

http://www.columbiaboiler.com/waste_oil/LVWO/

You do need a source of oil however, and for many people that is quite difficult. I'm in the opposite situation, mild winters, and a full 215 gal tank, plus a full 55 gal drum, plus enough more in those 5 qt jugs and 5 gal containers to fill another 55 gal drum, plus about 90 or so gallons of new oil (aviation) that is out of date and cannot be used for its intended purpose.

I have lots of co-workers who bring their oil to me when they change their oil. I may have to keep in touch with them when I retire.

Charles

 

[Shop Specialties]

75,000 BTU is still way overkill for his application. This boiler his high maintenance due to its small size. It would not run enough to keep the pre heat block from baking and plugging nozzles.

The smaller you try to go with waste oil heaters/boilers the more problems you will have. Every manufacturer used to have something under 100,000 BTU until they found out what a PITA it can be.

 

[BadgerBoilerMN]

Shop is correct. If you have natural gas and radiant floors the only boiler is a condensing gas boiler the smallest of which would do a good job for you, Lochinvar, HTP make a 50mbtu input boiler. If I needed DHW I would have a condensing water heater with sub-system for space heating.