Boiler Fuel Cost Comparison - Oil vs. Gas

The Calculator allows you to compare the price of natural and #6 fuel oil while taking into account thermal and parasitic losses associated with each fuel firing. By comparing the “true fuel costs”, you can select the most economic fuel.

How do I use it?

To calculate competitive delivered natural gas price versus #6 oil

Input your oil purchase price (in ¢/liter) in either the Industrial Water-Tube Boilers column or the Greenhouse Fire-Tube Boilers column, whichever is applicable to you.  The calculator will automatically calculate the comparative delivered natural gas price in $/1000m3, $/GJ and $/MMBtu.

To calculate competitive #6 oil price versus delivered natural gas

Input your delivered gas purchase price (in $/1000m3) in either the Industrial Water-Tube Boilers column or the Greenhouse Fire-Tube Boilers column, whichever is applicable to you.  The calculator will automatically calculate the comparative #6 oil in ¢/liter, $/bbl, $/MMBtu and $/GJ.

Default values for thermal and parasitic losses

Although default values are used to represent the magnitude of thermal and parasitic losses, the Calculator allows you to input your own values to represent your site-specific boiler operation.   The default values are based on boiler tests conducted by Union Gas and Prof. Herb Eckerlin of North Carolina State University.  Separate values are provided for water-tube boilers for industrial applications and fire-tube boilers for greenhouse applications, since these values differ by boiler type.

Legal disclaimer:

This data is provided for information purposes only.  Union Gas does not warrant or guarantee its completeness or accuracy.  The data and comments are not intended to be business or financial advice and should not be relied upon in that regard.  Union Gas will not be responsible for any costs of losses incurred as a result of reliance on this information.