I am looking at a new waste oil heater for a shop. The trend seems to be smaller, easier to clean heat exchangers, but I wonder how the oil consumption is affected. The old fuel oil furnaces of 50 years ago were probably lucky to have a 50% to 60% efficiency. I know the efficiency drops when ash accumulates in the heat exchanger, but are these smaller units less efficient and use more oil to heat a building than something conventional like a Reznor or Lanair unit? They don't seem to have the same area to transfer heat from the heat exchanger. I'm sure the ease of cleaning more often boosts efficiency a lot. Hoping to NOT get a thirsty unit and possibly run out of oil at times. I AM spending a lot on insulation to reduce the heat loss to begin with. No one seems to publish any efficiency ratings like they do for a gas furnace. Trade secret, perhaps??? Thanks in advance!!!

Robert Halverson
Owner
Alley Automotive, Inc.
Marshalltown, Iowa, USA