Posted by mike bowman on September 19, 2000 at 19:03:18:
I have a 1936 steam boiler originally coal fired but has been converted to fuel oil. I know the new ones are more efficient but I get different answers to how efficient the old one is. The answers range from 40 to 60% efficient. The current one heats the basement which is mostly finished without any radiators. If I put in a new one I would most likely have to install radiators to keep the basement warm. The reason I bring this up is I know the lost would be much great if the heat off the current boiler was not used. Can anyone help. I was looking to convert to a gas steam boiler which is listed as 82% efficient.