Fuel Types Kerosene / Fuel Oil / Gas Oil / Red Diesel etc

Bearing in mind the boiler came with the house how would I decide which fuel I need to use, and what damage will using the wrong one do? Do I need to check the type of burners, if so what differentiates them?

<...which fuel I need to use...>

Take a small sample from the storage tank. If it has a distinct red colour, it is most likely gas-oil. If it is yellowish, it is probably kerosene. They smell different too.

<...what damage will using the wrong one do...>

Either incomplete combustion or a fire in the wrong place. The atomising and breathing arrangements are different for each fuel.

<...need to check the type of burners, if so what differentiates them...>

Refer to the maintenance records for the type of boiler in question. Obtain historical information from the boiler servicing operative. Review the operation and maintenance manual for the boiler against the installation.

I would look at the manual should say what type of fuel oil to use. If not available take down the model and serial number and call the manufacture. The oil type information may be on the manufactures ID plate. All so when installing a boiler the installation company will mark the fuel type around the fill type to the tank so some one does not fill the tank with wrong fuel look there.

You should call a professional to come look at the system, tell you what it is, and make a survey of the condition. This is serious stuff, you don't want to screw around and possibly burn your place down, or have your family killed by CO poisoning.

I prefer to do all my own projects, but will certainly not screw with a boiler system.

Did you bring the burner/boiler from somewhere else? If not, fuel oil is in all likelihood the prevalent available heating fuel in your area; and probably the least expensive by far...although not getting any cheaper. Saying it another way, supply is probably your more urgent problem. All fuels are not available (at reasonable prices) in all areas. Diesel would probably do for a short time, but that's gotten very expensive...and you'd probably have to deliver it yourself...not a pleasant, or cheap, prospect if you intend to use it in bulk quantities.

As states above the real problem would be to get the fuel-air mix correct. Things that can affect this are fuel pressure, fuel type and cleanliness of system (soot and ash build up in boiler and chimney). The only damage I could foresee is that you could damage the liner in the fire box if the fire was too hot. You will not damage any seals by changing fuel type unless you switch to biodiesel. While a professoinal will do this in one shot (they have all the tools) you could learn to do this if you have the propensity for mechanical things and like to tinker.

Bob