I have a 24 year old 5 zone oil furnace and hot water system that needs to be replaced due to old age and inefficiency.

I can find little information anywhere that provides an objective and knowledgeable way to evaluate the systems and the factors to consider in making a reasoned decision.  With two quotes-one at $6000 and a second at $10,000, I am well aware that there is plenty of room for error in this decision. Any help or direction would be appreciated.

Why has CU not addressed this product area? I see plenty on gas systems little on oil furnaces. With oil costs rising so fast I would think that many of us are going to need to address this issue.

I am told that the systems today can increase fuel efficiency as much as 40-60 percent. that would imply that I could see pay back in as little as 5-10 years. Help Consumer Union!

 

I am in the same boat as Mr. Anderson - I need a new oil furnace/hot water system and seem to find a sort of consensus from various sources that high  efficiency Energy Kinetic, Rheem/Ruud and Trane are about the best.  The $8,000 quote for an Energry Kinetic took my breath away and, with that kind of $$$ at stake, I'd like some REALLY reliable information - like from Consumers Reports?

When is some updated furnace information hitting the street?  Help!!!

  

    No relationship to William Anderson but we are also needing to replace our 20 year oil burner/hot water system, also frustrated by the lack of information from Consumer Reports and also looking at a quote of either 10,300 for a high efficiency German made system or a 6,300 quote for the less expensive option with a coil hot water system (the more expensive system has a separate hot water tank).   Would love some feedback on time frames for making back the extra cost in reduced oil consumption and there is very little out there.  Any thoughts/feedback very much appreciated.

Rebecca, Did you get any information on the oil burners? I am in the market for one and I do not know which brand to investigate and /or how much will cost. You spoke of a German Brand? that would be interesting since most thing (now days) are made in China. Please let me know. Thanks. 

Hi from Fairbanks.

We also need a new oil furnace, and our hot water is supplied from that.

My investigations??? A Energy Kenitic installed is $10,400.  This boiler will not let us use our exiisting zones, so more expensive. Our enery rater is sugessting this and this alone.

My calls to the local plumbing shop suggest : Viessman cost is $3009. Plus install.  122000 BTU
I think this is built in Canada.

Also to consider Wehl Mclean Ultra , Cost is $2900. Plus install.

Both of the later brands are 3 pass. The water goes through the system 3 times before you loose heat out the chiminey. Thats what they say. Perhaps you have a brother plumber to do the work on the side. Then get it tuned up by your local delivery / repair company.

Another alternative if your existing is not terribly old and leaking is a N. Becket Heat Manger.
Cost is $263. this is simply added to your controls. Sorry I don't remember what the N. stands for.

I signed up for consumer report to help with these decisions. Little to no help.

I also need new windows and doors. All I find are double pane. If they are as good as triple pane,  then why do they build triple pane, if not for minus 40 degrees ?  Big diff in price.

I am very disapointed in the help I have recieved, They just want to sell their own products.
The energy Kenitics has a web page and it helps to understand the differance I guess.

Good luck and Stay warm this winter. Hawaii anyone?

Hi,

I too am from Fairbanks. Many of us are very concerned about the coming winter. Even more with the rising fuel costs. It is incredibly disheartened that Consumer Report does not investigate such a big purchase item as a boiler would be for many of us. I want to dissolve my affair with oil. However, I cannot devote the time required for an outside wood boiler system. I have heard energy kinetic is the best. But, you pay for the best. I guess I will just have to bite the proverbial bullet. Sherrelyn your information helped me. Thank you and good luck. Save me a seat to Hawaii.

Preparing for the worst,

Brett

What a shame... i got on here thinking I would get useful info from CR only to see that they did not even read your requests. (they all say unread).

I am in the same boat as everyone else but a year later. All your replies are about a year old.

I hope you guys all stayed warm last winter... I am hoping to do so this winter.

J.

My oil furnace needs to be replaced, so here I am researching Consumer Reports for recommendations.   Nothing listed here.   I guess I'd be all set if I needed a hair dryer.

Well as you all say we are in the same boat. Well, my story is that I am closing on a "as is" house this Friday. Spent 5 hrs the other day with an inspector. Although the Real Estate info stated the heat is electric it is a Oil furnace, The house is 34 yrs old and the prior owners/renter lived like animals but I digress. The furnance would not lite off and needs at least a cleaning. I am unfamiliar with oil for home heating. I came to CU to seek info and compare the pros and cons of oil vs gas. That was a waste of time and energy. To compound my situation when I googgle/yellow page for Natural Gas in the area all I get is companies that provide propane gas. In my own home I have Natural gas but I use firewood 24/7 in an fireplace insert. I have a new furnace (about 5 yrs) but only need it when we are not here for several days. Set it at 55 degrees. I split my own wood but I don't have high heating bill. The good news is that this other house has a fireplace too and central air so I think I put in an insert and use the fan to deliver the heat via ducts through the house. My daughter will be living there so if she wants to try and keep the heating bill low she will tend the fire or else pay the price.

Yep, me too.  

Disappointed could not find on-line comparison chart from CR.    Frustrating that better info is not available to consumers for such a costly purchase.

I am trying to help my sister & brother research what type of new oil furnace to have intstalled in our elderly mom's house.   Need reliable + safe equipment for her.   

1.  One link that was a little helpful - Energy Star (for rating chart of energy efficient models only, in particular those that will qualify the buyer for sizeable Federal Tax savings 2009-2010 --- but still could not find which brand out-performed the other as far as reliabiltiy, repairs or noise, etc.    (see energystar.gov website)

2.  Found a website for National Oilheat Research Alliance, ( Nora-Oilheat.org ) planning to contact to see if they can provide any detailed information. 

If you, or anyone else reading the forum, actually finds a rating comparison chart of home oil heating systems please let me know.   My mom's house has an oil-fired boiler system that heats hot water which circulates in baseboard radiators thru out the house.  

CA

I too am on the search for an efficient oil furnance and am surprised the lack of info on oil furnaces from consumer reports. So odd!  I've heard mixed reviews on the System 2000, ok reviews on the Burnham MPO, and good reviews on the Buderus out of Londonderry, NH. But who to believe?!? Consumer reports needs to address this obvious need.

I just purchased consumer reports on line to research oil fired boilers, but I too, am very disappointed that this issue has not been addressed.

 

Here is a website listing 45 brands of HOT AIR oil furnace with short comments, plus 2 examples (not recommendations)

http://www.hvac-for-beginners.com/oil-furnace-ratings.html

We have given each brand a rating of from 1* to 5*. A 5* rating means that, if we were shopping for a unit for our own home, that is the brand we would choose. Where more than one brand has a 5* rating, we would choose the least expensive if it was available. We have also included our comments and observations about the products based on our service experience.

For a fair comparison, we have ranked the brands in three categories. The first category is for basic units which typically have the least features, the lowest operating efficiency, and the lowest price. The second category is for variable speed units which feature a variable speed blower motor for improved comfort and slightly better operating efficiencies. They generally tend to cost a bit more. The final group is for condensing oil furnaces. These units have the most features and the highest operating efficiencies but are also the most expensive.

BRAND---------WEBSITE--------BASIC--VARSP--CONDENSING

ADAMS-adamsmanufacturing.com----1*-----NA------5* This is the only manufacturer of a 95% AFUE condensing oil furnace.

AMERICAN STANDARD---------------2*-----3*------NA This brand is now owned by TRANE which is a part of INGERSOLL RAND. The FREEDOM 80 series units are basic units with a standard warranty that is not very good. The warranty can be extended with their comfort plans. The FREEDOM 80 COMFORT-R units have a variable speed blower and advanced humidity control for air conditioning. They have a dealer locator by zip code on their website. (americanstandardair.com)