Replacing oil fired burner with on-demand LP water heater in forced air system

socoast · 2007-10-21T00:41:48+00:00

Would it be possible and more efficient to use an on-demand LP hotwater heater, like the Bosch 2400LP? Or, should I just shut off theoil burner when we are away?I have a 14 year old heating system. It is an oil fired burner, 100gal hot water tank, and forced air.Hot water flows into copper coils, and air is blown over them to heat,then forced into ductwork and floor vents.(at least I think that's howit works!) It also supplies the household hot water. The burner andboiler are located in an outside attached small room with a 4" ventgoing up through the roof.I have 3 heating zones in the house.The price of oil has tripled, raising my heating bill to $600-$1200per month in the heating months, for the 175 + gals of oil I use.I keep my thermostat set to 62 at night and 65 during the day (andhope for solar gain), and only heat 1 zone. But, keeping all thatwater hot 24/7 is just not possible anymore with oil at $3.40/gal.There are only two of us, so the domestic water demand is low comparedwith the hot water for the forced air system.I live in an area that does not freeze in the winter, temperaturesrarely go below 40 at night, and almost never go below freezing.I've got to do something before this oil burner sucks up my savings!thanks for any advice you have.

Oct 21, 2007 24 Replies

Rate this thread:

socoast 18 years ago

I just checked with my HVAC installer/repair guy. He agrees that a H/P would be good, if it can be installed inside a shed, not out in the salt air, where it would rot in no time. He also says that the on-demand system would save us money on our current overall bill, even though oil provides more BTUs/gal than LP does.

Thanks for your valuable response.

regards,

socoast

Vote

kool 18 years ago

I doubt that your air is saltier than ours in Victoria unless you live in a beach house. We have plenty of functioning, non-corroded heat pumps doing just fine here. Forget the shed and find a new HVAC contracter and start saving money....norcoast

Vote

Bubba 18 years ago

I see you've come to your senses. The heat pump in a shed is a GREAT idea! Make sure you seal that shed up super tight. Caulk every seam and joint you can find. Dont let any of that nasty salt in that uint. Bubba

Vote

<kjpro 18 years ago

Tell your install/repair guy that he's FULL OF S*IT, then go find a

*competent* one!

Vote

Bob Pietrangelo 18 years ago

Bullshit to the too much Salt Issue. IF he is that worried about it, he can have the Unit dipped. I strongly reccomend a Trane unit if it is seaside

Vote

Join the Discussion

Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.

Didn't find your answer?

Ask the community — no account required