The Benefits of Using energy-efficient hot oil boiler

05, May. 2025

 

Oil-Fired Boilers and Furnaces - Department of Energy

Vent Dampers

Adding a vent (or flue) damper to a boiler helps prevent heat losses by closing off the boiler's vent when it’s not firing. This is especially beneficial for steam boilers, which benefit more than hot-water boilers, and larger boilers benefit more than smaller ones. However, vent dampers might not be as cost-effective for newer, properly sized furnace models. For older oil burners, converting to a flame retention burner is probably a better investment.

Goto gtboiler to know more.

Next Step: Consult with a heating professional to determine if a vent damper is right for your system.

Derating or Replacing Oil Burners

Derating involves installing a lower gallon per hour (GPH) rated nozzle in an oil-fired appliance to reduce fuel use. This process may require reconfiguring the shape and size of the combustion chamber and adjusting the fuel pump pressure or by replacing a conventional oil burner with a flame-retention burner, all of which should be done by a trained professional.

Many gas and oil furnaces in today's homes are oversized, especially if you've upgraded the envelope of your home with new windows and added insulation. A simple way to improve efficiency is by having a qualified technician install an appropriately sized, smaller nozzle. The cost is minimal, and it could cut fuel bills by as much as 10%.

If your burner is old and inefficient (less than 75% Steady State Efficiency (SSE)), you may want to replace it entirely. Upgrading to a modern flame retention burner will increase your burner to 80% SSE or higher. Note that steam boilers should only be derated if the steam system is also modified to remove excess radiators, which can be a complex procedure.

Next Step: Consult with a heating professional to see if derating or replacing your oil burner can help you save on heating costs and improve your system's efficiency.
 

Modulating Aquastats (For Hot Water Boilers Only)

An aquastat controls the temperature of the hot water in a boiler, typically keeping it around 180°F. However, during the milder spring and fall months, 180°F is often higher than needed and wastes energy. A modulating aquastat, also known as an outdoor reset, senses outdoor temperatures and adjusts the hot water temperature accordingly. These units can save up to 10% on fuel costs and cost several hundred dollars to install.

A more budget-friendly option is to manually adjust the aquastat yourself, lowering it to around 120°F during the milder heating season. Consult your owner's manual or ask a service technician to help you locate and adjust the aquastat.

Are you interested in learning more about energy-efficient hot oil boiler? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!

Next Step: Consider installing a modulating aquastat for automatic energy savings or manually adjust your aquastat during milder months to reduce your fuel costs.
 

Time-Delay Relay (For Hot Water Boilers Only)

A time-delay relay helps you get the most heat from your system without immediately running the boiler. When the thermostat clicks on, the relay causes the boiler to circulate hot water through the system first, delaying the boiler's ignition. After a set time, the boiler will then fire up. A time-delay relay costs about $100 and can cut your fuel costs by up to 10%.

Next Step: Install a time-delay relay to improve your heating efficiency and start saving on fuel costs.
 

Boilers | ENERGY STAR

What else should I look for when buying a boiler?

If you've decided that you need to purchase a new boiler, learn how to hire a contractor.

Be sure to look for the ENERGY STAR when shopping for a boiler

The current boiler specification is revised and effective as of January, .  

ENERGY STAR certified gas boilers have annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) ratings of 90%, approximately 6% more efficient than the federal standard. 

ENERGY STAR certified oil boilers have annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) ratings of 87%, approximately 1% more efficient than the federal standard.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Industrial Electric Steam Generator.