Is converting to natural gas worth it? (New York, Hempstead: Home Depot, calculation)

[Chief Brody]

We just had the oil to gas conversion completed. We had the tank cut open, scooped out and filled with sand then resealed. we also had a new boiler, new water heater and new chimmney liner. The total cost was $6400 hundred dollars. When I first purchased the home I could taste the oil tang in the air. The system is much quieter now and the boiler is half the size of the old one. Just be advised if you call National Grid they will "refer" you to one of their plumbers. These plumbers simply pay to be put on their lists, they do not earn it by the quality of there work. The whole job took one day.

[stevemunk]

I also want to convert from oil to gas this summer. my heating system uses radiators and baseboard. I wanted to get a boiler rated at least 85.
I had the 1st contractor come in on saturday and he said to thake the boiler from national grid because my systerm can not use a high efficient
boiler. Has anyone else heard this?

[Kbinspections]

Originally Posted by stevemunk

I also want to convert from oil to gas this summer. my heating system uses radiators and baseboard. I wanted to get a boiler rated at least 85.
I had the 1st contractor come in on saturday and he said to thake the boiler from national grid because my systerm can not use a high efficient
boiler. Has anyone else heard this?

Well is your system steam heat? Is the baseboard in the basement only? Is it is steam with the return water being used for the baseboard in your basement, then he is correct.

[stevemunk]

Well is your system steam heat? Is the baseboard in the basement only? Is it is steam with the return water being used for the baseboard in your basement, then he is correct.


Thanks, I use steam upstairs and baseboard in the basement and 2 rooms upstairs. Maybe I should check out to see if my 20 year old utica boiler to
gas

[Kbinspections]

Originally Posted by stevemunk

Well is your system steam heat? Is the baseboard in the basement only? Is it is steam with the return water being used for the baseboard in your basement, then he is correct.


Thanks, I use steam upstairs and baseboard in the basement and 2 rooms upstairs. Maybe I should check out to see if my 20 year old utica boiler to
gas

Yeah, with steam units, eff. rates mean very little and you should stick with an 85% boiler. I like Dunkirk or even Utica. You could upgrade to a Weil-McLain or a Burnham, which is what I would do.

If you are going to be in the home a long time, consider swapping to a total forced hot water system.......but that will cost alot of money and pay back would be almost 20 years!

[stevemunk]

Originally Posted by Kbinspections

Yeah, with steam units, eff. rates mean very little and you should stick with an 85% boiler. I like Dunkirk or even Utica. You could upgrade to a Weil-McLain or a Burnham, which is what I would do.

If you are going to be in the home a long time, consider swapping to a total forced hot water system.......but that will cost alot of money and pay back would be almost 20 years!

Between the cost for asbestos and oil tank removal ,
boiler and hot water tank ,
I am not sure if I can afford a plumbing changeover.
I like that old steam heat.
I guess I will take his advise and go with the Burnham

[Kbinspections]

Originally Posted by stevemunk

Between the cost for asbestos and oil tank removal ,
boiler and hot water tank ,
I am not sure if I can afford a plumbing changeover.
I like that old steam heat.
I guess I will take his advise and go with the Burnham

In the end, if you can put the the extra money into insulation and air sealing, you can make up the difference between steam to hot water systems.

[groomes]

I have a similar system. old 50-60 yr oil boiler. Steam radiators on the main floor and hotwater baseboard upstairs bedrooms, no heat in basement except heat from te steam pipe. I use gas water heater next to oil boiler.
What will it cost to convert is it worth it. I was told I will have to run pipes since it cannot be both hotwater and steam.
no plans to sell or leave the home in valley stream.

How do I proceed?

[Kbinspections]

Originally Posted by groomes

I have a similar system. old 50-60 yr oil boiler. Steam radiators on the main floor and hotwater baseboard upstairs bedrooms, no heat in basement except heat from te steam pipe. I use gas water heater next to oil boiler.
What will it cost to convert is it worth it. I was told I will have to run pipes since it cannot be both hotwater and steam.
no plans to sell or leave the home in valley stream.

How do I proceed?

Well you need to come up with a budget. How long do you kink you will be living there? How many people live in the dwelling?

[groomes]

Originally Posted by Kbinspections

Well you need to come up with a budget. How long do you kink you will be living there? How many people live in the dwelling?

I will say live here for over 10 more years at least. 3 people in the dwelling. 2000 sqft . we are out most of the day since everyone works use about 1000 gallons oil last 3 winters. re budget , bigger concern is if this is just a knee jerk reaction. or is the benefit of change so overwhelming.