Switching from Gas Oil to Kerosene

boxtysugarbulb

Hello All

My 1986 boiler/burner is running on gas oil. I was thinking of replacing it sometime with a new condensing model, but I understand that these require kerosene, which makes an upgrade that bit more difficult. I noticed the other day that the boiler had a label on the side listing the fuel types as 'Light Oil / Kerosene / Gas', so I was wondering if it would be possible to just top up the oil tank with kerosene now, to make it easier to upgrade in the future? Anyone done this? TIA for any replies.

Billy Bunting

Use your gas oil and then fill with kero, then your existing burner will need to be set up to burn it just as your new boiler will also need commisioning.

boxtysugarbulb

Billy Bunting wrote: »

Use your gas oil and then fill with kero, then your existing burner will need to be set up to burn it just as your new boiler will also need commisioning.

Thanks Billy. Just so I have you right, are you saying I should actually let the tank run dry of gas oil before topping up with kerosene, rather than just topping up in advance? If I did just top up the gas oil with kerosene, rather than letting the tank run dry, would the burner/boiler still work, albeit maybe not efficiently, or would it just pack up when the kerosene was reached? (I'm presuming that the kerosene would float on top of the gas oil; is that right?)

Billy Bunting

boxtysugarbulb wrote: »

Thanks Billy. Just so I have you right, are you saying I should actually let the tank run dry of gas oil before topping up with kerosene, rather than just topping up in advance? If I did just top up the gas oil with kerosene, rather than letting the tank run dry, would the burner/boiler still work, albeit maybe not efficiently, or would it just pack up when the kerosene was reached? (I'm presuming that the kerosene would float on top of the gas oil; is that right?)

They mix! Your existing burner will probably run on kero/gas oil mixed but ineffiently as its been set for gas oil that uses a higher pump pressure and requires more air for clean combustion.
You need to be burning good clean kero in your new condensing boiler so at that time when it's commisioned the engineer can set the burner up to its optimum performance and efficiency, if you do this with a mix it will not be right when you eventually get to 100% kero.

boxtysugarbulb

Billy Bunting wrote: »

They mix! Your existing burner will probably run on kero/gas oil mixed but ineffiently as its been set for gas oil that uses a higher pump pressure and requires more air for clean combustion.
You need to be burning good clean kero in your new condensing boiler so at that time when it's commisioned the engineer can set the burner up to its optimum performance and efficiency, if you do this with a mix it will not be right when you eventually get to 100% kero.

Ah okay, thanks for clearing that up. Much appreciated.

TPM

Billy Bunting wrote: »

They mix! Your existing burner will probably run on kero/gas oil mixed but ineffiently as its been set for gas oil that uses a higher pump pressure and requires more air for clean combustion.
You need to be burning good clean kero in your new condensing boiler so at that time when it's commisioned the engineer can set the burner up to its optimum performance and efficiency, if you do this with a mix it will not be right when you eventually get to 100% kero.

Agreed but a few things
The tank should be installed with a slope away from the outlet so even when it runs out there will still be too much gas oil left in the tank to mix with kerosene for a condensing boiler. Consider getting it drained or pumped out.

it would be worth checking if your tank is in good condition and is installed to oftec requirements before you get it filled, as an installer might not(and shouldnt) connect a new boiler to a tank that doesnt meet requirements and any remedial is made harder when the tank is full

boxtysugarbulb

TPM wrote: »

Agreed but a few things
The tank should be installed with a slope away from the outlet so even when it runs out there will still be too much gas oil left in the tank to mix with kerosene for a condensing boiler. Consider getting it drained or pumped out.

it would be worth checking if your tank is in good condition and is installed to oftec requirements before you get it filled, as an installer might not(and shouldnt) connect a new boiler to a tank that doesnt meet requirements and any remedial is made harder when the tank is full

Thanks TPM. Have you got a link to the tank requirements please?

TPM

http://www.oftec.org/documents/PUB19_HomeGuide_DomesticOilStorage_Iss2.pdf

Here is an outline of domestic oil tank/storage requirements

boxtysugarbulb

TPM wrote: »

http://www.oftec.org/documents/PUB19_HomeGuide_DomesticOilStorage_Iss2.pdf

Here is an outline of domestic oil tank/storage requirements

Thanks. The current tank location wouldn't meet all of the requirements, but it's not far off either, so I won't worry too much. I'll add it to the list of questions to ask any plumber who I get to quote for the work.