I learned something about heating oil today

[themechanic]

 

[themechanic]

Oklahoma heats with natural gas, at least in the cities. I found this video fascinating.

 

[440 PHIXX]

I run diesel in mine. The oil companies around here want to have a contract to work on the burner. As you can see it’s pretty basic. And I’ve found they pump sludge into the tank. The diesel is like rocket fuel. Very clean and steady burning.

 

[Fran Blacker]

I use about 900 to a 1000 gallons a year also heat hot water off furnace. $3.05 a gallon now. First time in 5 years I pre-bought 700 gallons at $2.35 a gallon. Bet I won't be as lucky next year. Had a 1000gal. in ground tank but removed it 10 years ago.

 

[dla4567]

There are some definite hazards to oil as well. Especially if not maintained properly. This is one of the small oil boilers I maintain. Each one uses 3 nozzles and runs up to 300 psi for a total of 25 gal. per hour.

 

[ruffcut]

Yep. I use the #2 heating oil. Got a 1000 gal in ground tank w/375 gallons in it right now. I will be getting a couple hundred gallons soon.
I have an indirect heated hot water tank that runs off that boiler all summer, and uses about maybe a gallon or so a month for hot water!
And now and all winter, that tank is heated off the coal boiler, as both systems are tied together, so if the coal fire dies down, then the fuel oil boiler takes over.ruffcut

 

[ruffcut]

There are some definite hazards to oil as well. Especially if not maintained properly. This is one of the small oil boilers I maintain. Each one uses 3 nozzles and runs up to 300 psi for a total of 25 gal. per hour. View attachment 1194605

Wow! that's a big *** boiler!

 

[Kern Dog]

Off topic but....
A guy I know in Tennessee says that the propane industry is the closest thing to a Mafia that he has seen. They make you LEASE the tank and you cannot get it filled by anyone other than the Propane company that installed the tank.

 

[69 Sleeper Bee]

Off topic but....
A guy I know in Tennessee says that the propane industry is the closest thing to a Mafia that he has seen. They make you LEASE the tank and you cannot get it filled by anyone other than the Propane company that installed the tank.

This is true in North Florida as well although there are a few independent contractors left that will fill a privately owned tank but not one owned by any other company for legal reasons. The average lease fee on a tank is $10-20 per month

 

[Moms68]

Some older oil systems can be retrofitted with more modern controls that will more efficiently use the oil. Outdoor reset control will monitor outdoor temperatures and adjust your boiler temps accordingly. There are huge benefits in making sure your filter, strainer and nozzle is clean and properly sized. Pump pressure should also be checked for the correct psi. Oil gets a bad rap but it can be very efficient.

 

[69L48Z27]

Off topic but....
A guy I know in Tennessee says that the propane industry is the closest thing to a Mafia that he has seen. They make you LEASE the tank and you cannot get it filled by anyone other than the Propane company that installed the tank.

Not here in PA. I own my 500 gallon tank. I get it filled when I want and I call who I want.

They do have the leasing thing here too but if you ask some questions you’ll figure out real quick it’s not a good deal.

 

[dla4567]

Wow! that's a big *** boiler!

There’s 2 of them for an elementary school. The high school has 3 that are much bigger. Costs between $3,000 - $5,000 just to replace the nozzles. (I try and get 2 years out of them)

 

[tonysrt]

I find the bigger advantage with gas is maintenance free. I put a new gas boiler in 21 years ago and have never had a problem. A fireman for 24 years I responded to 1 gas boiler problem and that was because it had no water. At least 2x a week responded to oil burner problems and fires.

 

[toolmanmike]

We have natural gas here but back in the day heating oil was used. I like the heat. It seems to be a more moist heat where as LP or Nat. Gas is drier and requires humidity to be more comfortable. We have Natural gas hot water heat which is very dry. We have fin tube baseboard and one zone with cast iron radiators. It is quiet and efficient but you do need some humidity to make it comfortable.

 

[bm02tj]

Rule of thumb only hit reset once
Turn your heat off when you get tank filled and let crap settle unless you have a clean tank

 

[Lefty71]

the propane industry is the closest thing to a Mafia that he has seen.

I had a company once tell me that they had to visit (and fill) their tank periodically because of new terrorist concerns lol. I hauled it out to the curb with the backhoe for them and called them to come and get it, they can visit it all day long. Never a problem in Ohio owning your own tank, actually it's cheaper by a ways to own and fill. All in-ground tanks are customer owned actually..... you cant lease those.

 

[Richard Cranium]

Off topic but....
A guy I know in Tennessee says that the propane industry is the closest thing to a Mafia that he has seen. They make you LEASE the tank and you cannot get it filled by anyone other than the Propane company that installed the tank.

That is true here in New England too. The propane company owns the tank. We have a 500 gallon propane tank at the place in NH & I have switched propane companies 3 times & each time, the new company has to buy the tank from the previous company.

 

[moparedtn]

Brings up my annual plotting and scheming to get some affordable heat in the garage...
one I've never done anything about, mind you.
One thing I have ruled out is any sort of wood stove deal - I'm not going to constantly
have to feed something to heat a space I'm in only sporadically.
We have natural gas available - IF I want to pay for a 1/4 mile of line to bring it up here -
or of course, the usual propane/LP tank from the local gas company, too.
Same if I want to fetch an oil tank setup - the co-op will come fill it.

 

[YY1]