Fuel Oil News articles from February 2002

Fuel Oil News archives from February 2002

Petro to sell heating oil through BJ's Wholesale Club. (Dateline).(Petroleum Heat and Power Co.)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... In what is being called the possible emergence of hypermarts in the heating oil industry, BJ's Wholesale Club announced in late December that it has launched a Home Oil Advantage program to offer its members heating oil at "very competitive"...

ESPA brochure addresses consumer fears on terrorism. (Dateline).(Empire State Petroleum Association brochure claims heating oil plentiful)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... The Empire State Petroleum Assn. has published a consumer education brochure (bill stuffer) that addresses consumer concerns in the wake of the terrorist attacks of last September 11. The project, endowed by the National Oilheat Research...

Zurich makes changes to tank-protection program. (Dateline).(Zurich U.S.)(insurance program)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Zurich U.S. has changed the structure of its UST insurance program and renamed it the Home Environmental Protection Program. The change enables Zurich to offer the tank-protection program as an insurance policy directly to homeowners rather...

New Hampshire dealer is president of PHCC. (Dateline).(Bill Trombley)(Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors National Association)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Bill Trombly, Trombly Enterprises in Manchester, N.H., is the new president of the Heating-Cooling Contractors-National Assn. Trombly has been an active leader in PHCC for many years. His company provides plumbing and heating service as well as...

Biasi boilers now marketed in the U.S. (Dateline).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Biasi boilers, an Italian brand founded in 1938, is now being marketed in the United States by Quincy Hydronic Technology, Inc. of Portsmouth, N.H. The initial line of boilers that QHT imported was the B-10 series (also known as the Vega)....

Watts Heatway becomes Watts Radiant, Inc. (Dateline).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... The board of directors of Watts Heatway, Inc., has changed the business name to Watts Radiant, Inc., effective last October. Nothing other than the name has been changed. It is still a wholly owned subsidiary of Watts Regulator Co.

OMA voices support for low-sulfur heating oil. (Dateline).
February 1, 2002... The Oilheat Manufacturers Assn. has adopted a resolution in support of low-sulfur heating oil. OMA members support low-sulfur use because it reduces deposits on heat exchanger surfaces, extending the service interval for cleaning by a factor of...

Fuel oil deliveries decline in November. (Dateline).(petroleum and products statistics, November 2001)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... Distillate fuel oil deliveries, used for home heating and diesel fuel, declined 5.4 percent compared to a year ago, the largest one-month drop since December 1998, the American Petroleum Institute reported in its Monthly Statistical Report. ...

FERC to create electricity market monitoring unit. (Dateline).(Federal Energy Regulatory Commission)(Office of Market Oversight and Investigations)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... In mid-January, federal energy regulators unveiled detailed plans to create a new market oversight unit to prevent manipulation of United States wholesale electricity prices and supplies. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission described its...

Hypermarts invade oil heat. (Editor's Note).
February 1, 2002... George Schultz In late December, BJ's Wholesale Club announced that its New England outlets will now market heating oil to club members through a partnership with Petroleum Heat & Power Co. (Petro) of Stamford, Conn., the nation's largest...

NORA Center seeks training Information. (News & Trends).
February 1, 2002... The National Oilheat Research Alliance Education Center is cataloging industry manufacturers, vendors and schools that offer oil heat technical training so that graduates of those courses can receive oil heat Continuing Education Units (CEUs)....

ITT Fluid Handling partners with Ambian Climate. (News & Trends).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... ITT Industries' Fluid Handling Division has formed a partnership with Ambian Climate Technologies, LLC. The Fluid Handling Div. will become the exclusive manufacturer of advanced-technology ammonia-water absorption hardware for Ambian's...

Lau employees help spread Christmas cheer. (News & Trends).(Lau Industries Inc.)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Employees of Lau Industries recently held a second annual Christmas fundraising project, benefiting "For Love Of Children," a local organization that provides Christmas presents to abused and neglected children in the Dayton, Ohio, area. Lau...

ICP has new courses on equipment fundamentals. (News & Trends).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... The International Comfort Products (ICP) Training Center announced that new courses on R410A refrigerant and commercial equipment will join the class lineup on the spring/summer 2002 training schedule. The new refrigerant course,...

Weil-McLain donates to September 11th Fund. (News & Trends).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Weil-McLain employees, like all Americans, have been deeply affected by the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001. In an effort to support their fellow Americans, Weil-McLain in mid-October unveiled a "Heating and Helping America" campaign raising...

Honeywell to market Field-diagnostic tools. (News & Trends).(through distribution agreement with Field Diagnostic Services Inc.)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Honeywell Control Products has signed an exclusive worldwide distribution agreement with Field Diagnostic Services Inc., of Langehorn, Pa., for a new diagnostic tool targeted at commercial HVAC service technicians. Marketed by Honeywell as the...

Gray, Gray & Gray seminars benefit Sept. 11 victims. (News & Trends).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... The accounting firm of Gray, Gray & Gray, LLP has donated over $10,000 to benefit the victims of the September 11th terrorist attacks. The funds were raised through the firm's 14th annual year-end tax seminars in Westwood and Boston, Mass....

Tompkins acquires American Metal Products. (News & Trends).(Air Systems Components Division of Tomkins PLC)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... The Air Systems Components Div. of Tomkins PLC has acquired American Metal Products from Masco Corp. AMP manufactures grilles, registers and diffusers, vent products and gutter-protection systems. It has manufacturing plants in Olive Branch,...

Reflectix introduces new Web site. (News & Trends).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Reflectix, Inc. has a new and improved Web site located at www.reflectixinc.com. Reflectix Inc. is a manufacturer of reflective insulation products for residential, commercial and industrial markets. According company officials, browsing...

Mirabito and VCMG reach joint marketing agreement. (News & Trends).(ValueCentric Marketing Group)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Joseph P. Mirabito, president of Mirabito Fuel Group of Sidney, N.Y., has announced that the company has signed a multi-year agreement with ValueCentric Marketing Group (VCMG) of Binghamton, N.Y. that will position VCMG as Mirabito's marketing...

Calendar.
February 1, 2002... March 20-21 North & South Carolina Petroleum Marketers Assns. Southeast Petro-Food Expo. Charlotte Auditorium, Charlotte, N.C. Info: (919) 782-4411. April 2 Rhode Island Chapter, Nat'l. Assn. of Oil Heating Service Managers....

Fuel Price Index 02/02.(Brief Article)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... Fuel Price Index 02/02 CURRENT CHNG FROM CHNG FROM PRICE LAST MONTH LAST YEAR CASH/SPOT PRICES UNLEADED GASOLINE .5670 +.0620 -.2193 PREMIUM...

Combining radiant and air conditioning: Total indoor comfort packages are a "golden opportunity" for oil-equipment marketers.(radiant-heating market presents opportunities to fuel oil dealers)
February 1, 2002... The booming radiant-heating market presents new opportunities to fuel oil dealers who are willing to keep up with changing technology. Oil dealers, trusted by long-time customers, are often asked to make recommendations on home heating and...

Burnham opus boiler. (Boiler & Hydronic Equipment Roundup).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Burnham's new Opus 01 claims an efficiency of up to 90 percent and includes an Energy Management Control System and zoning panel, and a built-in primary/secondary piping arrangement. The boiler features a SA516-70 alloy steel pressure vessel,...

Watts temperature-control valves. (Boiler & Hydronic Equipment Roundup).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Watts Series 1170/L1170 hot-water temperature-control valves maintain and limit mixed hot water to a desired, selectable temperature chosen by the installer. The 1170 can be preset to any temperature between 100 degrees F and 180 degrees F; the...

Thermo-Dynamics Heat Generator. (Boiler & Hydronic Equipment Roundup).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... The NCWL Heat Generator is a "mid-mass" oil-fired boiler with a unique 360-degree wet-leg design. Its 15-gallon water content makes it ideal for radiant heating. It is approved for zero clearance in alcove and closet installations on...

Taco product-selection software. (Boiler & Hydronic Equipment Roundup).(TacoNet)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Taco has issued a seventh version of its product-selection and specifying software, TacoNet. The CD-ROM version of TacoNet 7.0 is available to all industry parties and an online shareware version is available on the company's Web site...

Weil-McLain Gold. (Boiler & Hydronic Equipment Roundup).(hot water boiler)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... The Weil-McLain WGO Gold is a residential hot water boiler without a tankless heater opening with all the features installers and homeowners have asked for: Outstanding performance, innovative design, easier to install and service, top or back...

Watts Radiant manifold. (Boiler & Hydronic Equipment Roundup).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Watts Radiant ha a new stainless-steel radiant manifold. It is solid-body stainless steel with flow indicators, balancing valves and optional zone actuators. All accessories are nickel-plated brass, including vent/purge, trunk and circuit...

Newmac boiler. (Boiler & Hydronic Equipment Roundup).(Newmac Manufacturing Inc.)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... The Newmac NBR boiler series has a firing range of 90,000 to 179,000 Btuh. The design uses a three-pass wetback configuration with 12 two-inch boiler tubes for maximum A.F.U.E. efficiency. The service door comes with flexible oil hose and cable...

Enerjee thermostatic valve. (Boiler & Hydronic Equipment Roundup).(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
February 1, 2002... The Enerjee HRF two-way thermostatic valve is designed to be used in radiant floor heating installations to permit zone control of individual rooms using the non-electric thermostat. No wiring is required. The valve accepts typical PEX tubing...

ICP cast-iron oil boilers. (Boiler & Hydronic Equipment Roundup).(International Comfort Products)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
February 1, 2002... ICP has two new lines of oil boilers: the OWB water boilers and the OWT water boilers with tankless coils. The OWB and OWT boilers are a complete series of rear-flue boilers with factory assembled cast-iron section assemblies, aluminized steel...

Honeywell/Sparco/Braukman gauges. (Boiler & Hydronic Equipment Roundup).(and tridicators)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Honeywell/Sparco/Braukman gauges and tridicators provide quality assured measurement. They feature rugged steel casings and brass connections, and applications span virtually all hydronic heating systems. Temperature gauges include thermowells...

Crown Boilers Tobago & Kingston. (Boiler & Hydronic Equipment Roundup).(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
February 1, 2002... New from Crown Boiler are the Tobago series of oil-fired hot water and Kingston series of oil- fired steam boilers. Both boiler series feature a swing-open burner door that gives full access to the combustion chamber and burner nozzle. The...

B&G flow-control valve. (Boiler & Hdronic Equipment Roundup).(Hydrotrol flow-control valve from ITT Bell and Gossett Fluid Handling)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
February 1, 2002... Bell & Gossett's Hydrotrol flow-control valve is designed to prevent gravity circulation from overheating zones in hydronic heating systems. The Hydrotrol valve allows for summer-winter operation of an indirect water heater. The compact,...

Slant/Fin Hydronic Explorer CD. (Boiler & Hdronic Equipment Roundup).(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
February 1, 2002... Slant/Fin has released its new Hydronic Explorer heat loss calculator and boiler-baseboard specifier. The CD-ROM is being provided free to heating contractors to help them quickly and accurately size heating jobs and specify boilers and...

Williamson OWT boiler. (Boiler & Hdronic Equipment Roundup).(Williamson-Thermoflo)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
February 1, 2002... Williamson's new OWT boiler provides easy service capabilities via the swing-away door and top-access cleanout cover. It is equipped with a high-efficiency flame-retention oil burner with PSC motor, solenoid valve and solid-state igniter....

McDonnell & Miller low-water cutoff. (Boiler & Hdronic Equipment Roundup).(Series PS-800 boiler controls from ITT McDonnell and Miller)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
February 1, 2002... McDonnell & Miller has enhanced its Series PS-800 conductance-style low-water cutoff boiler controls. The microprocessor-based controls provide easy-to-understand troubleshooting diagnostics, ensuring proper installation. The unit's probe...

Kerr Comet boiler. (Boiler & Hdronic Equipment Roundup).(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
February 1, 2002... Kerr's Comet oil-fired steel boiler features a small footprint, said to be ideal for new home construction, electric heat conversions, in-floor heating, and direct-vent applications. Capacities range from 71,000 to 145,000 Btun, and the unit is...

Rehau Pro-Balance manifold. (Boiler & Hydraulic Equipment Roundup).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Rehau's Pro-Balance brass balancing manifold with gauges is designed for use in hydronic radiant floor heating and snow- and ice-melting systems. It is available with two to 12 outlets and has a slim 3 1/4-inch deep profile. Its solid extruded...

Viessmann Vitorond boiler. (Boiler & Hydraulic Equipment Roundup).(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
February 1, 2002... The new Vitorond 200 from Viessmann is an economical, triple-pass boiler series in a compact cast-iron sectional design. A long service life, low emission combustion and faster installations are claimed for the boiler, which is available in a...

Hoffman Specialty vents. (Boiler & Hydraulic Equipment Roundup).(brass-finish steam and water vents)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Hoffman Specialty has incorporated advanced manufacturing techniques into the production of all brass-finish steam and water vents. A special induction soldering process eliminates the need for a painted finish and also reduces emissions during...

Ultimate boilers. (Boiler & Hydraulic Equipment Roundup).(Ultimate Engineering)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Offering efficiencies to 87.6 percent, the Ultimate boiler is said to also be the most versatile boiler on the market. It can be either through-the-wall or chimney vented, installed indoors or outdoors (the outdoor model features double...

BA Controls MAC System. (Boiler & Hydraulic Equipment Roundup).(heat exchangers)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... BA Controls has introduced the MAC System, a series of patented, compact, efficient heat exchangers connected to a common header where each heat exchanger can be removed without interruption of service. The system is used with boilers or on...

Utica Starfire III boilers. (Boiler & Hydraulic Equipment Roundup).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Utica Boilers' Starfire III is said to be an efficient, reliable and easy-to-maintain oil-fired water boiler. The SFH boilers feature a wet-base design, and cast-iron heat exchanger and push nipples. Efficiency ratings to 86 percent are...

Sid Harvey carries many brands. (Boiler & Hydronic Equipment Roundup).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Sid Harvey's is a one-stop-shop for all boiler and hydronic needs. Some of the brands carried include Honeywell, White-Rodgers, Argo, Amtrol, ITT Fluid Handling, Conbraco, Taco, Watts, Eaton, Gorton, Spirotherm, Maid-O-Mist, Beacon, Sparco,...

Dunkirk boilers. (Boiler & Hydronic Equipment Roundup).(Empire II water boiler)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... The Empire II water boiler features a wet-base design, cast-iron construction and efficiencies to 86.4 percent. The full swing-out door allows easy access for burner setup and service, and the exclusive isolation valves enable the circulating...

Innovative Enterprise coupler. (Boiler & Hydronic Equipment Roundup).(spring-free pump couplers)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Innovative Enterprise offers a new spring-free pump coupler to replace spring-type couplers used on Armstrong and Bell & Gossett circulator pumps. One spring-free coupler replaces eight different spring-type couplers on 13 different pumps. The...

Aero combo system. (Boiler & Hydronic Equipment Roundup).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Aero's Aqua Air combination space and water-heating system combines an efficient Aero oil-fired water heater with an air handler. A CF-32T oil-fired water heater combined with an air handler can supply both domestic hot water and space heating...

Monitor oil boiler. (Boiler & Hydronic Equipment Roundup).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... The FCX boiler comprises a steel boiler shell linked to a special stainless-steel condenser, and has a burner with integral line heater, all contained in a highly aesthetic cabinet. High levels of combustion and performance are achieved and...

Istec temp-control valves. (Boiler & Hydronic Equipment Roundup).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Istec automatic room temperature control valves balance low-pressure steam or hot water systems and control the room temperature within plus or minus one degree F. They have a "memory disc" that makes it very easy to reset a temperature...

Wessels expansion tanks. (Boiler & Hydronic Equipment Roundup).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Wessels 150-psi expansion tanks have double-clamped membrane that fully separates water from sealed air cushion. They are available in nine sizes from 2.1 to 79.4 gals. Heavy-duty drawn steel tank surface has appliance-like finish. Circle...

Peerless cast-iron boiler. (Boiler & Hydronic Equipment Roundup).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... The Series EC/ECT from Peerless Heater Co. is a residential oil-fired boiler for steam or hot-water systems. Available as a packaged or knockdown unit, the EC/ECT is for use with natural draft venting. The large water content of the boiler...

Honeywell cartridge valve bodies. (Boiler & Hydronic Equipment Roundup).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Honeywell has added several new lowflow models to its popular VC series of hydronic cartridge valves. Changes in the valves include new lower Cv ratings for proportional control, available in all body sizes; new 1-1/4-inch two-way and three-way...

Beacon-Morris kickspace heaters. (Boiler & Hydronic Equipment Roundup).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Beacon/Morris Twin-Flo III kickspace heaters are the space-saving alternative to hot-water baseboard. Designed to fit inconspicuously under a cabinet, in the floor, on or in the wall, kickspace heaters are ideal for hard to heat areas such as...

Axeman-Anderson WL boilers. (Boiler & Hydronic Equipment Roundup).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... The WL Series boilers from Axeman-Anderson feature a wet-leg design and carry a limited life-time warranty. They are available with a large flanged hot-water coil, latest controls and burners. Units are completely piped, wired and packaged....

Heatrim American baseboard. (Boiler & Hydronic Equipment Roundup).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Heatrim American hydronic perimeter baseboard is symmetrically styled for modern, low-silhouette appearance and designed for fast, low-cost installation. Enclosure top and back panel is one-piece steel construction for strength and durability....

Reznor hydronic unit heaters. (Boiler & Hydronic Equipment Roundup).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... The Reznor Model WS hydronic unit heater is durable, dependable and easy to install. This single model is able to be installed either vertically or horizontally. Circle No. 143 on Card

Tekmar programmable thermostats. (Boiler & Hydronic Equipment Roundup).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Tekmar Control Systems has a line of programmable thermostats for hydronic radiant floor (HRF) heating systems. These thermostats include all the features that you would find in most high-end programmable thermostat, plus many more. Their...

Biasi boilers. (Boiler & Hydronic Equipment Roundup).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Biasi residential SG boilers have a much lower water content, and the four-section boiler is just a little larger than a built-in dishwasher. This compressed size means that less water is heated, less fuel is burned and less contaminants are...

Spirotherm Spirovent Junior. (Boiler & Hydronic Equipment Roundup).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Using the same patented technology as in commercial applications, the Spirovent Junior air eliminators scrub troublesome air, even stationary air pockets, from any residential or light commercial hydronic system. Combining a patented coalescing...

Why test? The Top 10 reasons why combustion efficiency testing is important.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Why should we perform combustion-efficiency tests on oil-fired heating equipment? This question was first asked in the 1930s and resulted in the invention of what is known today as the "Bacharach Kit." As far back as the early 1930s technicians...

Are you listening? How to ease tensions and deal with complaints.
February 1, 2002... There is a very good reason why human beings were given two ears and only one mouth. We are supposed to listen twice as much as we talk. And when we listen, we are supposed to concentrate on really hearing what the other person is saying. ...

Leveraged gifts. (Tax Corner).(tax-planning strategy)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Want to win the estate tax game? Think gifts. Leveraged gifts. Lifetime gifts to your family represent a major tax-planning strategy. Gifts are an easy way to move income within the family unit, remove future income from your estate and provide...

Will the oil well run dry? (Operations).(oil supplies)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... I am writing this column on Dec. 26, 2001, one day after Christmas and five days after winter began. The temperature here in Connecticut is 40 degrees. Hard to believe, I know, but be prepared, as the weatherman said winter is really coming...

Zoning a Monoflo system. (Service).(Monoflo-type heating systems)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Overheated and underheated areas are problems we are continually faced with, whether it's a private home, apartment building or commercial office building. It doesn't matter. What does matter is that our customers will continue to complain of...