Oil Boilers for Home Heating – Buyer’s Guide!

There are several ways to heat the home, and one of the most common, and older methods is the use of an oil boiler. The majority of pre-1990’s homes will most probably have an old oil boiler.

Boilers use various sources of energy to power them, these include natural gas, heating oil, propane, electricity or a biodiesel-oil blend. The latest oil boiler systems are extremely efficient, providing a 98.5% efficiency score in some cases.

The term central heating came from the installation of an oil boiler in a central location, the boiler would then pump the hot steam and water to heat the home as well as provide hot water for washing.

The main difference between oil boilers and non-boiler type systems is that an oil boiler takes time to heat the water before it disperses it around the house.

I Made A List Of Top-Rated Oil Boiler Brands for Home Heating

Product ImageProduct NameBTUAFUEMore Information
Eliminator Shop AENH-001Eliminator Shop AENH-001120,000>80%View on Amazon
Burnham MegaSteam MST288Burnham MegaSteam MST28869K86%View on Amazon
Burnham MST396SL-HBBurnham MST396SL-HB95MBH86%View on Amazon
Crown Boiler Company TWZ004WCZ3SHCrown Boiler Company TWZ004WCZ3SH156MBH84%View on Amazon

Boilers that use oil are usually found in areas that do not have access to natural gas, and the oil or energy source is stored in large tanks. As such, oil boiler prices are directly affected by the changing process in crude oil.

The modern oil boilers, which I present here, use biodiesel fuels, this fuel produces less pollution, but is also related to the crude oil prices. Biodiesel also acts as a lubricant and even self-cleans the system, so maintenance costs are lower.

Let’s Take a Look At The Four Best Oil Boiler Brands For Home Heating:

Eliminator Shop AENH-001

Eliminator Shop AENH-001


Features

  • Weight – 330 lbs
  • Dimensions – 30″ x 23″ x 42″
  • Voltage – 115
  • Chimney pipe size – 6″
  • Remote thermostat
  • Indicator lights
  • 120.000 BTU output
  • Integrated circuit board


Pros

  • Simple design
  • Dependable stainless steel fuel pump
  • Burns almost any type of oil
  • Easy to clean
  • EPA approved
  • Clean heat generation

This waste oil heater is not your typical large and complicated unit. It’s very simple and fairly low tech which is why many owners are proud to have it.

This heavy-duty powder-coated steel unit provides 120.000 BTUs of heat and features 15 gallon fuel capacity, thermostat control, 16″ hot air distribution fan to heat a building, stainless steel pump, patented air wand, manual ignition system, variable speed, and is able to burn 3/5 gallons of almost any (except for synthetic) type of waste oil (including diesel and home heating oil) per hour.

The stainless steel exterior gives the Eliminator a life-long quality appearance. It’s a perfect device for garage, workshop, or warehouse maintenance, hazard elimination, and saving your money.

The easy access firebox makes an inspection and periodic cleaning of this unit a simple task. Its heavy-gauge steel heating chamber is built to last. This waste oil heater is exceptionally reliable, easy to clean, maintain, and clean-burning.

Your waste oil disposal problems are no longer an issue because this device provides a valuable service while turning your waste oil into fuel in a highly-effective EPA approved method. It also has an easy to understand control panel with diagnostic lights (Reset, Power, On/Off) to let you know what’s going on.

No matter if you are an individual or a company with waste oil on hand, this unit was designed to deal with it effortlessly. No need to purchase and set up huge waste oil systems because this one can burn any sort of waste oil.

Your waste fuel gets pumped up from the oil pump and gets dropped into the burn pan to get combusted. And then you have the flame maintained. As simple as that. The pump and the fan are making all the magic. Made in the USA.


Burnham MegaSteam MST288

Burnham MegaSteam MST288

Product Features

  • Oil-fired boiler
  • ONLY Steam Applications
  • Beckett AFG burner is Included
  • One of a kind, 3-pass heat exchanger that makes it very efficient
  • Has Tankless Coils
  • Passed Energy Star Certification

About Burnham Boilers

Burnham LLC, first called Burnham Corporation, is a leading manufacturer that operates under the name “Burnham Commercial”. Established in 1873 in Lancaster, England, BC has been involved in producing high-quality steam and hot water boilers for commercial/industrial purposes.

The original construction was manufactured in 1921, and since then has gone through many changes and modifications. But the quality has remained unequaled. You can find a variety of light commercial models and big industrial-size boilers to meet any client’s needs.

BC’s full-time engineering department guarantees high-quality installation and manufacturing, so you can be sure of your boiler’s durable design and safety. The latter is guaranteed by BC’s Research and Development department that run safety tests for each boiler before it meets the marketplace.

Acquiring the product, you also acquire a state-of-the-art device to serve for many years, since each device part is assembled and by BC’s skillful operators to ensure the highest standards and quality control for your satisfaction.

The manufacturing plants are located in Zanesville, Ohio (Casting Solutions LLC). It is there that the processes of manufacturing, testing, and quality control are held. After the tests are completed, a boiler can proudly “wear” the Burnham Commercial name.

Features

  • Durability
  • The only manufacturer with a full line of ASME-certified stainless steel and proven cast iron solutions.
  • Flexibility in application and installation.
  • Custom designs
  • More than 85 % thermal efficiency in 90% of boilers
  • MPC boiler, the only UL-listed cast-iron boiler
  • Made in the USA


Burnham MST396SL-HB

Burnham MST396SL-HB

This is the Burnham Megasteam (MST) Boiler, which is a highly efficient Oil-Fired steam boiler providing 86% AFUE in a 3 pass heat exchange system.

Performance

This oil-fired efficient system delivers 86% efficiency, and operates through their unique 3-pass heat exchanger that delivers exceptional efficiency with lasting steam quality.

This oil-fired boiler uses tankless coils and heater, as well as a Beckett AFG burner and the materials provide a corrosion-resistant performance that will not clog up the system after a few months of use.

This ENERGY STAR Certified device uses the Burnham engineered 3-Pass design and will warm your home in moments.

Features

  • Unique 3-pass cast iron sectional design
  • Very stable waterline, high corrosion resistance
  • Superior steam quality

Recommendations

If it’s only a heating system, then this steam heater will provide you with very quick performance and is highly efficient at 86% AFUE.


Crown Boiler Company TWZ004WCZ3SH

The Tobago (TWZ) Series boiler is a cast-iron, oil-fired, water boiler. This model connects to a standard chimney that provides a 156 MBH heating property with 84% AFUE.

Performance

The TWZ-150 is a Crown Boiler company product sold exclusively through their service provider. This model is their Tobago model and comes with a standard Beckett oil burner. You can change that for a Riello or Carlin burner.

This uses a wet-base heat exchanger butyl into a cast-iron burner with cast iron swing door, and includes a 3-prong quick disconnect for easy service. The controls are Honeywell, and the circulator is Taco, the unit comes with a barometric damper.

This is a 4-section heating capacity boiler, and has a 156 MBH burner capacity.

Features

  • Residential cast iron oil boiler
  • Takes in 0.65 to 2.0 GPH
  • Output efficiency is between 84.0% – 86.0%
  • Three burner options; Beckett, Carlin or Riello

Recommendations

The TWZ-150 is an exceptional oil boiler unit that is perfect for small homes. Since this is a configurable model, you can always change parts to make it as bespoke to your needs as required.


Crown Boiler Company

Crown Boiler (Philadelphia, PA) provides high-quality residential oil and gas burners, cast iron radiation, and operating controls throughout the U.S.

Being in business for over 50 years, the period of rapid growth of the manufacturer has started in 50’s as a distributor of heating accessories (little burners, operating controls, and cast iron radiation), and then in the 70’s they shifted to manufacturing high-quality cast iron boilers and water heaters, introducing their proven reliable product line to the world.

Providing the finest customer service, shortest lead-times, low cost, and high-quality products is the marketing strategy of Crown Boiler. And that is what makes them distinctive on the market. All Crown’s boilers are ruthlessly factory tested and meet ASME specifications.

People mostly like them for their cost and fuel economy. Durable cast iron materials have proved themselves thousands of times to be reliable in heating applications. Crown’s heaters are designed to reduce the impact on the environment so you can also call them eco-friendly.

Features

  • High efficiency (maximum SEDBUK efficiency rating)
  • Stainless Steel burners
  • Safety switches
  • Low gas emission
  • Low price
  • Cast-iron heat exchangers

Weil-McLain

Originally called “Weil Brothers”, the company was founded in Chicago, in 1881, by Benjamin and Isadora Weil and then moved to Michigan in 1918, changing its name to Weil-McLain. Since then, it has started to grow to become one of the largest and most respected names in the U.S.

They manufacture and design cast-iron gas-fired and electric heaters/boilers along with hydronic comfort heating systems, making this world less complex with simplified solutions for different applications.

It is mainly for homes, offices, schools, restaurants and various facilities with their plants located in North Carolina and Indiana.

Their administrative office is in Burr Ridge, Illinois. People of various occupations and businesses trust the manufacturer and rely on their comfort heating needs and peace of mind on WM.

Expect safety, system flexibility, functionality, and reliable support. These boilers are cost-saving and energy-efficient. Today, this company of around 600 employees really competes to be a leader in heating system manufacturing for indirect and direct household water heating.

Features

  • Compactness, combinations with other units
  • High performance and energy efficiency (95.2% in some models)
  • Simple plug-and-play installation
  • Various sizes and capacities
  • The latest, advanced technologies and materials for heat exchangers (cast iron, corrosion-resistant stainless steel, and aluminum)
  • Sold exclusively through the certified wholesale merchants

Buderus

One of the oldest manufacturers on the HVAC market Buderus AG was founded in 1731, in Germany. In 2003, Buderus has joined Bosch Thermotechnic GmbH.

A comprehensive supplier of modern energy-efficient heating technology and comfort climate systems.

Gas boilers are the most popular in the Buderus product line. In addition to heating technology, Buderus offers components and accessories for heating systems: chimneys, pumps, expansion tanks, fittings, and other products from leading European manufacturers.

Buderus introduces innovative equipment to the market, e.g. condensing heating technology which allows the maximum use of the burnt fuel energy and equipment operating on alternative energy sources (heat pumps, solar collectors, wood-burning boilers).

Their equipment for industrial and domestic sectors (production facilities, residential areas, private houses, communal and social infrastructure facilities.

The high-quality and durable equipment is designed to provide heat, hot water, and electricity. Their boilers guarantee convenient operation, beautiful and compact design, cost-saving heating. The system works without any remarks, strictly keeping the necessary temperature.

Buderus boilers are fast to ignite without any efforts. Buying their models you forget about constant repairs and stock up on quality for years to come.

Features

  • Stainless Steel corrosion-resistant burners
  • Efficiency and compactness
  • Fast electronic ignition
  • Good quality/price ratio

About the author

Lou Anderson

Lou Anderson

Lou Anderson is a keen home and garden innovator with over 25 years of hands-on experience in, home improvement, landscape gardening and all things appliance related to making life easier and more interesting.

1 Comment

  • Very good informative vide, Thanks!
    If the outlet plug with fire-o-matic in your tank is at the very bottom, arent you pulling sludge out all the time?
    Also in your gauge, if heating fails, temp may go to zero but the pressure wont. Reason being, the heating system is closed circuit, so the pressure is maintained. If it goes to zero, you have a problem with the expansion tank.

Leave a Comment