Oil fired boilers

[modeller]

My friend has had to have several oil fired builders and the maintenance costs are very high .
He is thinking of scrapping it the next time its a major repair but is uncertain about a replacement .
Ignoring installation costs, which is the most economical on fuel and maintenance costs electric or gas ?

[bednobs]

i would say gas. However, does he have an oil builder (!?) for a reason? For example i have one because where i live is not on mains gas

[modeller]

Originally there wasn't any gas but there is now in the road and he can be connected.
I know that whichever he chose there will be an initial expense but he is more concerned with subsequent maintenance and the cost of energy used be it gas or electricity.

[237SJ]

I would go for gas if I was him. If there`s a power failure, at least he will still be able to cope. It will be so much easier than oil as well because you always have to order it in.

[seadogg]

For economy a wood burning stove takes some beating and there may be a source of free wood nearby. You can maintain it yourself and the best ones are multi-fuel. It can become a hobby!

[nonomaybe]

Have you looked at geo - thermal, either vertically, horizontally or from a lake.
Obviously you would need a garden for the first and at least half a football pitch for the second .I'm plugged into a lake and it works well although the running costs are linked to that of electricity, (several pumps working).

[modeller]

Geo-thermal ! Now that is interesting . Where abouts in this country, UK , is there a practical source of geo thermal energy ? Your lake ! Are you living in Iceland ? I can't think of anywhere else in Europe where lakes are hot enough to be used for energy. .

[nonomaybe]

Modeller, a bit south of Iceland at a latitude of about 63 degs. N. but east of Greenwich !!!
In our village all three types of heating are installed and we are all in turn v.happy with our choice. We know of it as a Geothermal system.
Mine loops into the lake where the bottom temp. is a constant 39degs.F.
For my neighbour who actually closer to the lake than me (One needs to be within 100m) they bored 120m. and for his neighbour they laid out the hose next to the house as if for waterborne underfloor heating. If the terminology is wrong I would be interested to know the correct description.

[musicman1956]

237SJ. Good point, but if there is a power failure, the boiler whether gas or oil will go out. They both need electricity to run and take fuel etc. Oil is the most efficient fuel but gas is cleaner. Maintenance on gas is also a lot cheaper. The centrica service contract is ok, but a friendly GAS-SAFE plumber is better.