Boiler Woes

I don't know about your boiler or the one they are coming out with, but you can (and have been for a while) get gas burners that fit in the spot an oil burner currently occupies.

An example would be

http://www.waynecombustion.com/news.aspx/oil-to-gas-conversion-burners

I just googled cast iron boilers got quite few hits shopping. So someone just feeding a load when they say they're obsolete.

Whoever told you that didn't want to carry the new system into your basement. Before you make a commitment make sure you get at least three different unrelated companies to give you a bid. As previously stated there are many cast iron boilers available, but you should search on cast iron hydronic boilers if you have a forced circulation system. There are many available, much smaller than what you probably have, and some are very high efficiency. This is just an example:

http://www.hydrotherm.com/html/hwx-gas-hot-water-boiler.asp

They also make oil-fired as well, search on dual fuel for other brands.

I recently built a new house in the northeast .I opted for propane I would have used gas but it is not currently available .My decision was as follows ,no chimney needed /direct vent, 98% efficient vs 85% , no indoor tank,no toxic spill possibilities,never needs cleaning,can convert to gas,fuel is equal more expensive but with efficiency almost equal,I invested in insulation foam is worth it!,Quiet, hangs on the wall and takes up zero space, I put in an electric h2o heater that seems to be a great investment I used to burn a tank of oil(about $800 now) in the off months for hot water vs $250 electric per year.Besides that all I was never fully trusting my oil delivery man that I was getting what I paid for.My 1000 gallon propane tank can last all year and you can have a gas stove,gas fireplace even run your grill. Finally I think gas will remain available I think oil is more vulnerable.I also installed a wood stove in the cellar and am feeling pretty good about my decision.I hope this helps

Im a retired plumber and heating contractor. You can put a liquid called boiler seal into your boiler that is leaking and that Might stop it from leaking. And you still can get CAST IRON boilers, one is Peerless oil fired boiler. I don't know who you use for your repair man but you better get another one, it seems that he dosent know what he is talking about.The "" Boiler Seal"" you have to pump into your boiler.It comes in a quart bottle.Just go to a plumbing Contractor store and ask them. As for a Gas Boiler .I have used Teledyne Laars, they were very efficent also and small in size. You also can get Gas boilers in cast iron.I live in the north east also in watertown ct .Good luck, If your going gas go with a tankless hot water heater, they just hang them on the wall.

Brand new cast iron boilers may no longer be available BUT, a lot of second hand or used cast iron boilers and spare parts are still very much around. They seemed to last forever, very reliable if properly maintained!

You can start by asking your fuel oil supplier.. they normally provide maintenance services whether you have a maintenance contract or not! I still use my 60 year old cast iron boiler with no problem as it is today! All it needs is an annual tune-up and filter and nozzle change which is a service provided by my fuel oil supplier.. Also, any additional repair and parts if needed are provided by the fuel company.

I am not aware how big an unit you need or how large the area to be heated but if you are about 1500- 2800 sq ft I would highly recommend a ground source heat pump- while it is a bit more to install the savings and peace of mind are well worth it- no fumes, no open flame, no need for deliveries- our heating costs went from $1600.00 month to 200.00 replacing baseboard heaters, and in some areas there is Govt assistance on the costs. If property size is a problem vertical loop is the answer- also an outside water source (pond?)is also viable . Good luck

Yeah, a heat pump is a great system. Its efficiency is 3-5 times higher, than any other system. That is not a typo, as it does not make heat, but borrows it from the ground and concentrates it. In reverse, it can do airconditioning.

BUT....

It stands and falls with the installation costs. The outside coils are not expensive in loose sandy soil. On the other hand a relative of mine had to sink a 250' well into granite boulders. The total was $15.000, some for the underfloor installation, but the largest chunk went for the well. Also, everything is electrical. If power goes out you need a generator.

What you could check out is the BTU value of the fuel. I know, that diesel is now $4/gal. The same price for natural gas is $2 -2,50 for the same BTU. Propane ought to be close to natural gas. check with the supplier. Gas supplies are and will be plentiful in the northeast. As we know, diesel is volatile.

You sure can get cast iron boilers delivered today if you want. Many manufactures out there. There is one in Michigan City Indiana (name withheld) that is the number one unit out there (in my book). I have installed some of these that have been in operation some 35 years now with out issues of any kind. As others suggest, do some more research.