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Stock basic parts for minor repairs to gas and oil boilers

With oil and gas boiler prices what they are these days, you might be inclined to purchase a new boiler, and buy nothing else. However, you'd be wise to also buy some basic spare parts so that you have them on hand in case repairs are needed.

I recommend: Dan Friedman's InspectAPedia has an excellent diagram that shows the basic components of boilers, such as a gas steam boiler. It also explains what the parts are for and gives basic troubleshooting information. To find a distributor of boiler parts in your area, use the directory from the HVAC Web Connection.

Conduct preventative maintenance on gas and oil boilers

When your oil or gas steam boilers break, you're going to want them fixed as fast as possible. This is why it is important to have an established relationship with a qualified boiler repair service. Purchasing a boiler service contract for preventative maintenance and emergency repairs is an excellent way to connect with a repair technician before disaster strikes.

I recommend: The Virginia Community Association Network explains how to establish a good preventative maintenance program for your boilers. If you don't know of a boiler service provider near you, use the listing from Reed Business Information to find one.

Keep your gas and oil boilers running efficiently

Whether your gas and oil boilers are brand new or decades old, you'll want to make sure they are running as efficiently as possible. This can save you money on your utility bills and keep your boiler from wearing out before its time. Ways to boost efficiency include inspecting for leaks, making sure your boilers are properly insulated and installing heat recovery systems. These tips generally apply to commercial and residential oil boilers and gas boilers and even high-efficiency gas boilers.

I recommend: Good tips on maximizing the efficiency of your boilers are available from the Natural Gas Boiler Burner Consortium. Find similar advice at Saturn Resource Management.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When hiring professionals to service gas and oil boilers, make sure they are properly licensed and insured.

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Shop around for the best quality and price

There are many sources that offer competitive oil or gas boiler prices, so take the time to look around before buying an expensive gas or oil boiler.

I recommend: Start with QualitySmith Cooling and Heating. They'll provide you with 3 quotes from reliable sources in your area. For industrial boilers, the parameters are much broader. Start with Utica Boilers; they've been around since 1928.

Keep gas boilers clean

Efficiency is directly related to the cleanliness of a heat or gas steam boiler. Calcium and other substances deposit on the inner surfaces of gas or fuel oil boilers. As the impurities build up and form sludge, efficiency decreases. When you consider the cost of fuel and gas boilers, regular cleaning is a must.

I recommend: Hard water is one of the main culprits of sludge, so try using distilled water if possible. You may also regularly treat your water with soda-lime or ion exchange. Goodway sells tube cleaners and chemicals. For industrial situations, go to QualiChem Technologies. For custom mixtures, try RTA Water Solutions.

Go green and save on fuel costs

You don't have to settle for traditional heat or gas steam boilers. High efficiency gas boilers and innovative fluidized bed boilers are not only better for the environment, they're also increasingly practical. If you're looking for residential oil boilers, don't just consider gas boiler prices: take fuel costs into account, as well as the impact on the environment.

I recommend: Take a look at the wood burning furnaces available from Greenwood, and visit Weil-McLain for high efficiency gas and oil boilers. For industrial solutions, get yourself educated on the latest technologies at Emery Energy Company or go to FSE, Inc. to start shopping.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  For large homes or areas with multiple rooms and thermostats, install a modulating boiler to avoid temperature swings.

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Find prices for gas boilers

Prices for commercial gas boilers generally range between $2,000 and $4,000. You'll find more efficient models are more expensive. You can save money by purchasing small high-efficiency gas boilers that are normally used in residential construction. These boilers are also effective for commercial buildings.

I recommend: To compare prices for various types of gas boilers, check out ProDirectHeat.com. An article from Platts explains the benefits of a small gas boiler, how to choose a gas boiler for sale, and why multiple small boilers can be a cost-effective option for large businesses.

Consider oil as an alternative to gas boilers

If you prefer to use oil as your source of energy, consider purchasing oil boilers as an alternative to gas boilers. Oil boiler prices range from $1,500 to more than $5,000, depending on the size and efficiency of the boiler.

I recommend: Become lets you compare the prices for dozens of oil boilers. The business section of the Hartford Courant has an interesting article on the pros and cons of commercial and residential oil boilers.

Estimate the annual energy cost of gas and oil boilers

Whether you choose to buy gas fired boilers or fuel oil boilers, the amount of use, efficiency and current energy costs in your area will impact the annual operating cost. A study by the EPA shows this cost can range from $1,500 to more than $300,000 a year. To estimate your boiler's operating cost, determine the boiler's annual operating hours, then calculate the annual energy consumption and the annual energy cost. You can then compare the true cost of two different boilers over a one-, five- or 10-year period.

I recommend: The U.S. Department of Energy's Federal Energy Management Program provides a helpful energy cost calculator for commercial boilers. You can use this calculator to determine cost savings over the lifetime of a new energy efficient gas or oil boiler. The Efficiency Partnership has great information on ways to save money when using your gas or oil boiler.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Don't forget that installation and optional features for gas and oil boilers, such as insulation and temperature controls, will impact your final cost.
• •  Check to see if your new gas and oil boilers qualify for federal or state energy rebates.

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Energy Star rating

Boilers with an Energy Star sticker have an AFUE rating of 85% or higher. Energy Star is a voluntary program overseen by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

I recommend: Find an explanation of what the Energy Star rating is at Weil-McLain.

AFUE rating

AFUE stands for annual fuel utilization efficiency, a standardized measure of how efficient a boiler is. The higher the number, the better the efficiency.

I recommend: Check out a glossary of home heating and cooling terms, including AFUE rating, at the American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning website.

Combustion efficiency

Combustion efficiency measures the amount of fuel actually converted to heat. A rating of 100% seems optimal but is actually not achievable, because no system works without some heat loss. This measure isn't the same as the AFUE rating.

I recommend: Find out more about combustion efficiency and how to measure it at FurnaceCompare.com.

Power venter

A power venter is a way to vent the gases from a furnace or boiler to the outside without the use of a chimney. In many cases, this is a less expensive option since building a chimney is often quite costly. Still, keep in mind that you will need to replace a power venter well before the end of the average lifespan of a well-maintained chimney.

I recommend: Read a comparison between chimneys and power venters at Warmair.com.

Bleed valves

A bleed valve is used to drain water out of the boiler when performing repair work. You can also use these valves to get trapped air out of the water line.

I recommend: Find a definition of bleed valves and other components of boilers at Channel4.

Boiler thermostat, aquastat

A boiler thermostat can refer to a wall thermostat that measures and controls air temperature in the area heated by the boiler, or it can refer to a thermostat that measures the actual water temperature within the boiler.

I recommend: Browse through a glossary of heating-related terms, including boiler thermostat, at De Dietrich.