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oil furnace

| Posted in Energy, Heating & Insulation on February 16, 2005 06:52am

Wondering about maintenance. It’s an old tank in our basement, but seems to work ok. We just bought this house (build year 1958) in November. What do we need to do to keep it from blowing up/creating CO2 fumes/and to keep it working?

TIA!

 

Singing Die Zauberflöte in English is like eating at the Olive Garden.

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  1. rez | Feb 17, 2005 09:10pm | #1

    Greetings meow!,  Welcome to Breaktime.

    This post, in response to your question, will bump the thread through the 'recent discussion' listing again.

    Perhaps it will catch someones attention that can help you with advice.

    Cheers

    "Live Free,
          not Die"

  2. jet | Feb 17, 2005 09:45pm | #2

    If the tank is original to the house then I would consider changing it. There are insurance companies that won't insure you if it is old. With the environmental laws I would get an oil company to change it.

    As for the rest of it... can you get a service contract with someone who will include a clean and adjustment every year.

    "Sir, if you were my husband I would poison your tea"

    "Madam, if I were your husband I would drink it." Sir Winston Churchhill

  3. DanH | Feb 17, 2005 09:57pm | #3

    Yeah, since you know little about the maintenance up to this point, your first action should be to get a cleaning/inspection/tuneup. Have the service guy explain some of the things you should know about it. Be sure to have him check whether the flu needs cleaning.

    If the furnace is the original 1958 unit it's probably overdue for replacement -- a new one will pay for itself in probably less than 5 years.

    1. meow | Feb 17, 2005 11:35pm | #4

      Thanks for all the responses! Question: since I/we might be replacing the tank, how might that cost compare to just getting a gas furnace and booting the oil? 

      Singing Die Zauberflöte in English is like eating at the Olive Garden.

      1. DanH | Feb 17, 2005 11:48pm | #6

        Compare fuel costs in your area. In most parts of the country natural gas is cheaper, but I think oil wins in parts of the northeast.

        1. meow | Feb 18, 2005 12:01am | #7

          We have so many things we need to do to this house to update it, like changing out the old fuse box and redo so much of the plumbing... . Just wondering where changing out a furnace might fit in that equation, and what kind of effect on resale value that might have on a house.We will probably sell in 3 or so years.I was wondering about servicing the tank/furnace we have, but also wondering about what it might cost to replace it. It is VERY expensive to get it filled (I live in Indiana, and I am not under the impression that oil is a popular way of heating homes around here.)Singing Die Zauberflöte in English is like eating at the Olive Garden.

          Edited 2/17/2005 4:04 pm ET by meow!

          1. DanH | Feb 18, 2005 12:42am | #8

            Yeah, first get it serviced by a reputable guy (the older, the better), and see what his assessment is.

            You haven't said whether this is hot water or forced air heat.  Also, is the fuel tank located in your basement, or just the furnace itself?

             

          2. meow | Feb 18, 2005 12:44am | #9

            Fuel tank in basement as well as furnace.Forced air heat. It's worked fine, so far. And I do have records that the previous owners (owned by the same people since building date until december 2004!) had very regular maintenance done. 

            Singing Die Zauberflöte in English is like eating at the Olive Garden.

          3. DanH | Feb 18, 2005 01:57am | #10

            The good news is that a new forced-air natural gas furnace is relatively cheap -- cheaper than hot water and cheaper than oil. Replacing the existing furnace with a new natural gas unit is almost certain to have a good payback.But what you might want to do is wait a year or so and see what costs are and see how much you're able to "tighten up" the house before replacing the furnace. This will help you make a good decision re the size and efficiency of the unit.

          4. RenaissanceRestorations | Feb 18, 2005 04:19am | #13

            Replacing just the oil tank runs around $1200 - 1500 in New England. One house I worked on had a 3000 gallon underground tank (a no no), and that cost $6000 to be removed.Renaissance RestorationsAntique & Victorian Home Restoration Serviceshttp://www.renaissancerestorations.com

      2. User avater
        DDay | Feb 18, 2005 02:06am | #11

        In the north east, oil is much better, the gas is too expensive.  Also, quite a few places don't have gas on the street so its oil or propane.  If gas is a decent price there, you can get rid of the oil tank but also, you can go with a high efficency gas furnace, those vent with PVC.  Spend the extra $100 and get the AC coil in it, whether you want ac now or not, get the coil and when you get it, you don't need to touch the duct work.

        1. meow | Feb 18, 2005 02:48am | #12

          I really appreciate all this advice.We already have a Trane AC unit--about 4-5 years old. I think. Any way to use that ductwork for heating? 

          Singing Die Zauberflöte in English is like eating at the Olive Garden.

          1. DanH | Feb 18, 2005 04:27am | #14

            You have two separate sets of ductwork? That's pretty unusual.

          2. User avater
            DDay | Feb 18, 2005 05:44am | #15

            I'm not 100% sure of this. 

            Most of the older duct work for heating may not be useable for AC, heat doesn't need the size of the duct that ac does.  AC's move more air, so the small heating ducts may be noisy.  Is that Trane already part of the system?  If so, it is probably fine but if those ducts are a little on the small side, it will make a little noise.  Trane is probably the best AC made.

            A new gas furnace would just use the existing ducts from the oil furnace.  You'll need to have a new transition piece made to join the furnace with the trunk duct work but thats short money and fairly simple.  One thing to consider if it will fit is a better air filter on the return side.  The stock filter is a 1" little nothing that you can get at HD, Lowes, etc.  For about $70 you can get a trion Air Bear or similar, that filter is 5x20x25, lasts for a lot long than the 1" and filters the air much better.  For $70 your crazy not to do it now.  You would need to get the filters from a supply house though, HD's, etc don't carry them.  I just get the generic replacement for about $15.

            Like others have said though, winters almost over, so you can take some time and talk to local heating companies and see what the costs in your area will be.  One thing, don't get a price from the oil company for the gas work.  You'll be leaving them as a customer, so they'll hose you.

             

  4. User avater
    rjw | Feb 17, 2005 11:41pm | #5

    Are youi asking about the tank or the furnace?

    Oil furnaces have to be serviced every year - it is critical to keep them operating properly becasue of wear on the burner orifice


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