Waste Oil Furnace vs Boiler
Both turn your used oil into heat. Here’s how they differ, and how to choose the right EnergyLogic system for your building.
Both burn the used oil your shop already produces. The difference is how the heat gets into your building: a furnace heats air, while a boiler heats water.
Side-by-side comparison
| Waste oil furnace | Waste oil boiler | |
|---|---|---|
| How it heats | Blows warm air into the shop | Heats water for radiant floors, unit heaters or baseboard |
| EnergyLogic models | EL-75H, EL-140H, EL-200H, EL-350H | EL-200B, EL-375B, EL-500B |
| Output range | 75,000–350,000 BTU/hr | 200,000–500,000 BTU/hr |
| Domestic hot water | No | Yes — 4.0 to 8.0 gal/min |
| Mounting | Ceiling-hung (EL-75H floor-standing) | Floor-standing |
| Installation | Simpler — flue, fuel line, power | Needs a hydronic distribution system |
| Response after a door opens | Fast | Slower (radiant floor) |
| Best for | Open shops and bays that need fast heat | Buildings with in-floor heat or that need hot water |
Choose a furnace if…
- You have an open shop or service bay and want heat quickly.
- You don't have — and don't plan to install — in-floor radiant tubing.
- You want the simplest installation.
Choose a boiler if…
- Your building already has, or will have, radiant floor or hydronic heat.
- You also want to make domestic hot water.
- You're heating several zones or a larger building.
Sizing either one
We size by square footage, ceiling height, number of overhead doors and how much used oil you produce each month. If you don't produce enough oil to run a large unit all season, a smaller unit — or a supplementary fuel such as No. 2 fuel oil — may make more sense. Try the savings calculator for a rough estimate.
Browse the models
FAQ
Can a waste oil boiler heat domestic hot water?
Yes. EnergyLogic boilers produce domestic hot water — from 4.0 gal/min on the EL-200B up to 8.0 gal/min on the EL-500B at a 100 °F temperature rise.
Which is cheaper to install?
A furnace is usually simpler, because it hangs from the ceiling and blows warm air directly into the shop. A boiler needs a hydronic distribution system such as in-floor tubing, unit heaters or baseboard, so installation is normally more involved.
Do both burn the same fuel?
Both burn used crankcase oil, ATF, hydraulic fluid, No. 2 fuel oil and diesel. The EL-375B boiler is also rated for up to 90W gear oil.
Which heats a shop faster?
A warm-air furnace responds faster after a door has been opened. Radiant floor heat from a boiler is slower to respond but gives even, comfortable heat at floor level.