Should I switch from OIL to GAS? (insurance, house)

[brokenboba]

So the house we are planning to close in 12 short days has an above ground oil tank in the crawl space. The inspector said that it was satisfactory. The House has a Water Heater in the basement. All in working condition. There are pipes from the Water Heater running along the ceiling at head level in the basement. Not really a problem, only that I have to duck down whenever I walk by.

My question is should we convert now or later? We think (and correct if we're wrong) that it's something that we will eventually do since it will pay both now in cheaper gas costs and in the end when we have to sell the house again. I'm thinking that now that the house is empty, we might as well get it done now, like during the first week of our ownership of the house.

Second question is if anyone has any recommendations and costs of what this might look like. Just a ball park figure.

Okay thanks a bunch. I have received lots of useful advice from these forums and hope to hear from people who's had work done on their house or experience in the matter.

[wileynj]

Originally Posted by brokenboba

So the house we are planning to close in 12 short days has an above ground oil tank in the crawl space. The inspector said that it was satisfactory. The House has a Water Heater in the basement. All in working condition. There are pipes from the Water Heater running along the ceiling at head level in the basement. Not really a problem, only that I have to duck down whenever I walk by.

My question is should we convert now or later? We think (and correct if we're wrong) that it's something that we will eventually do since it will pay both now in cheaper gas costs and in the end when we have to sell the house again. I'm thinking that now that the house is empty, we might as well get it done now, like during the first week of our ownership of the house.

Second question is if anyone has any recommendations and costs of what this might look like. Just a ball park figure.

Okay thanks a bunch. I have received lots of useful advice from these forums and hope to hear from people who's had work done on their house or experience in the matter.

First thing is - make sure you can get natural gas to the house. I know a great company in Northern NJ . I'll DM you with their info.

[brokenboba]

I know that it uses Gas for the oven. On the MLS, under UTIL: it says "Gas in Street"

[NewJersey?]

What do you mean by "convert"? Using the same unit and just converting the fuel source or changing the unit out to a new one with a different fuel source?

I think the former is very inefficient. At least that's what I've been told. The "conversion kit" is inefficient.

I don't think it would be too much trouble to do it after you've been in the house for a while. This way you can see what you're poaying and how well the house heats with the current system. You can also pinpoint leaks in the house or insulation deficiencies etc... that may help you in determining the proper size of the new system if you do get one later on, next winter, etc..

Good luck.

[Diane Giam]

Originally Posted by brokenboba

So the house we are planning to close in 12 short days has an above ground oil tank in the crawl space. The inspector said that it was satisfactory. The House has a Water Heater in the basement. All in working condition. There are pipes from the Water Heater running along the ceiling at head level in the basement. Not really a problem, only that I have to duck down whenever I walk by.

My question is should we convert now or later? We think (and correct if we're wrong) that it's something that we will eventually do since it will pay both now in cheaper gas costs and in the end when we have to sell the house again. I'm thinking that now that the house is empty, we might as well get it done now, like during the first week of our ownership of the house.

Second question is if anyone has any recommendations and costs of what this might look like. Just a ball park figure.

Okay thanks a bunch. I have received lots of useful advice from these forums and hope to hear from people who's had work done on their house or experience in the matter.

I don't like the idea of the oil tank under the crawl. You don't know that , that can last. It could leak and now insurance is not covering it, Ask Wiley who does remediations.

My tank was not even in my crawl, it was outside, but the leak entended to the crawl, hit groundwater , and $235,000 was the cost. I was lucky as my insurance covered it.
I would not close on that house unless that tank is removed, and shows no holes. Those holes could cost you your entire investment.
'd love to know who said t was ok, as its not.

Diane G

When I wrote this I didn't realize tank was above the ground. My question is why would anyone put a tank in the crawl. My advice is to get it out. You don't need a problem.

[JerseyG]

Originally Posted by Diane Giam

I don't like the idea of the oil tank under the crawl. You don't know that , that can last. It could leak and now insurance is not covering it, Ask Wiley who does remediations.

My tank was not even in my crawl, it was outside, but the leak entended to the crawl, hit groundwater , and $235,000 was the cost. I was lucky as my insurance covered it.
I would not close on that house unless that tank is removed, and shows no holes. Those holes could cost you your entire investment.
'd love to know who said t was ok, as its not.

Diane G

When I wrote this I didn't realize tank was above the ground. My question is why would anyone put a tank in the crawl. My advice is to get it out. You don't need a problem.

When my friends converted to gas a good 10 years ago....they had an in-ground tank and they were told that their tank may have leaked oil into the soil. You're not kidding with the cost! Thankfully the tank was issue free...they didn't have insurance to cover the costs if it didn't!

To the OP: Gas burns cleaner than oil. I remember my girlfriend complaining of the black soot all over the house when she dusted before they converted. I would do it if I were you...you can certainly live in the house while it's being done and if the furnace isn't too old, from what I understand, all that would need to be changed out is the burner. The cost of oil vs. gas...well that's always up in the air. Some years oil is cheaper, some years gas is cheaper.

Best of luck!

[plumber lic #11963]

I would definately convert. hot water boilers are 95% and hot air furnaces are 90+%. the gas guns are not very efficiant and they can be difficult to get parts for at 2 in the morning

[todd72173]

Oil should remain in the ground, not in a tank in someones basement. Oil should only be used to be pulled from ground and refined into gas - which is much safer and cheaper.

Gas all the way.

[CuCullin]

Originally Posted by todd72173

which is much safer and cheaper.

I don't know where to begin here....

But no on the first, and not necessarily on the second.

[brokenboba]

thanks 4 the responses all... When doing the math, we will probably not stay longer than 6 years so the cost of switching would end up being more. The steam boiler looks pretty ancient, but the owner said it was running well....