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October 30, 2006

Oil to Gas: Old topic, more questions

Okay..I know this topic has been discussed a lot, but even with all the previous posts on Oil-to-Gas conversions, i'm still unclear on a few things. I have a 4 story brownstone with 2 humongous oil tanks. LTM the oil bill was about $4K. The burner is as old as they come, but still works. We pay about $300 every season to have it "maintained". It is a hot water radiator heating system. We frequently run out of hot water for showers in the winter.

Here's what I know:

-Gas is the greener solution relative to oil heat
-Keyspan has some deals on interest free financing for a new boiler, but they're not giving away new ones anymore, according to the website.
-Gas is cheaper on a per unit basis

Here's what I dont yet know:

- How much does one typically pay for removal of the old stuff?
- How long did the process take?
- Will the removing party pay me for the oil that is still in the oil tank?
- How much did it add to the cost for those projects in which asbestos was found?
- Even though gas is cheaper, does it take more gas to heat water than oil?
- What were the cost savings people saw on their year-over-year heating bills?

Thanks for your help in this.

Breukelyn

Posted by anon at 6:31 PM | Comments (8)

Comments

Gas is cleaner, but it is not cheaper. It takes more gas than oil to produce the same heat. What does your hot water have to do with your heat? You don't have a hot water heater?

Posted by: Anonymous at October 31, 2006 9:30 AM

Hi,
I have not yet done the oil to gas conversion, but I have four recent quotes, all remarkably similar in price (around $4400-$4900) for removal of a 275 gallon oil tank and oil furnace amd installation of a new gas furnace in my four story brownstoner. Most companies say they can do the work in the day, and they say the oil is unusable once they pump it out. No one mentioned asbestos. All thse quotes came through the Keyspan "My Quotes" process, which works pretty well. Sorry I can't answer your other questions.

Posted by: Anonymous at October 31, 2006 10:10 AM

Hi,
I have not yet done the oil to gas conversion, but I have four recent quotes, all remarkably similar in price (around $4400-$4900) for removal of a 275 gallon oil tank and oil furnace amd installation of a new gas furnace in my four story brownstoner. Most companies say they can do the work in the day, and they say the oil is unusable once they pump it out. No one mentioned asbestos. All thse quotes came through the Keyspan "My Quotes" process, which works pretty well. Sorry I can't answer your other questions.

Posted by: Anonymous at October 31, 2006 10:10 AM

i have a gas hot water heater and a pretty new Weil McClain furnace that burns oil.

this may be stupid, but i thought you could convert your existing furnace from oil to gas, it involves changing the burner. this is what my home inspector told me. thoughts?

Posted by: Anonymous at October 31, 2006 1:36 PM

Gas and oil at the moment are almost the same, here's how to figure:
1 therm gas=100,000 btu
1 gal oil = 139,000 btu
So plug in the cost figures and you'll see if gas is $1.70/therm, it equals $2.36/gal oil

gas pluses: no periodic delivery, cleaner. Also if you want to spend more upfront, you can set super-hi-efficiency gas boilers--96-98%, oil cannot match.

Posted by: anon at October 31, 2006 3:40 PM

I own a few houses with oil heat, and I wouldn't switch. Gas is finicky, especially it doesn't like to be flooded. but I would recommend a new oil-fired high efficiency boiler, but something without Weil McClain's rubber gasket system. New boilers rarely fail, but you want older style pressed together sections, not rubber gaskets.

Get yourself a separate oil-fired hot water heater. Some plumbers will say "Huh?", but they are available and are excellent and efficient for making hot water.

If you compare the recovery rates (how fast the heater can heat water)with a gas or electric unit, you will be blown away. An oil-fired hot water heater can basically make hot water as fast as you can use it, as long as the shower head is modern.

The down side is two burners to have under contract, but the good thing is shutting the new "heat" boiler down in the spring, and leaving the hot water heater on year rouond. You will absolutely save money.

I used John Sallustio, licensed plumber and oil delivery to install our last ones. (718) 858-9080. He warrantied the burners (no service contracts required for three years).

Good Luck,

Bruce

Posted by: JDMC at October 31, 2006 11:14 PM

I just used Keyspan to convert to gas from oil, and added a hot water heater where none existed in our 3-story house. Cost: $5,800 plus the $1,800 to get rid of the asbestos over the pipes. Keyspan won't do anything until the asbestos is gone. Works great and am paying over time via Keyspan "loan" deal.

Posted by: anonymous at November 1, 2006 9:21 AM

Thanks to everyone for the feedback. Its still a little unclear to me if gas is the right thing, but i just hate the idea of heating oil...not sure why though.

I 'spose i'll continue doing the research.

THanks again.
breukelyn

Posted by: breukelyn at November 2, 2006 12:17 PM

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