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September 11, 2007
oil to gas conversion:new chimney lining
I am converting from an old oil boiler to gas. My plumber has told me that I need to have the chimney lined (to prevent carbon monoxide from seeping into the house). has anyone dealt with this? any recs for a chimney company to do this job? thanks.
Comments
we had to get our chimney lined too as we found the mortar around the unlined brick chimney had crumbled to such an extent that CO leaked into the house.
Posted by: guest at September 12, 2007 8:05 AM
sorry to be naive, but we are also changing our old oil furnace to gas, and haven't been told anything about this. what does a chimney have to do with a new heating system? please explain!
Posted by: guest at September 12, 2007 11:53 AM
Both oil and gas heating produce carbon monoxide. Seems that the plumber has discovered an existing problem with the chimney regardless of the fuel type.
Posted by: 1910 at September 12, 2007 11:58 AM
OP here. Its not that the plumber discovered anything wrong - but I believe a gas furnace emits an amount of carbon monoxide thats much more intense than the gases emitted by an oil furnace. Essentially - those gases could seep through the chimney walls and into the house unless the inside of the chimney is lined properly. still looking for any recs for a company to do this work. and approximate cost? Thanks
Posted by: guest at September 12, 2007 1:59 PM
We are in the same predicament, would also love recs.
By the way, what did you do with the oil left in your tank??
Thanks
Posted by: guest at September 12, 2007 4:07 PM
We're actually in the middle of the conversion now - but the plumber is going to drain the oil and remove the tank next week. What will he do with the oil? - good question - I haven't asked him - but in my efforts to be a green home owner I will ask him and make sure its being recycled/sold to an oil company/disposed of properly.
Posted by: guest at September 12, 2007 4:53 PM
OP, that sounds like hogwash. The CO produced by any heating unit is governed by its gas usage (btu rating) and efficiency (more eff, less CO). So a new unit of the same size (no matter gas or oil) will almost definitely produce less CO.
As an ancecdotal example, our '40s oil burner was running at 52% eff. and we replaced with gas 85%, and a smaller capacity also. So we probably reduced our CO emission by 50%.
If you have hot water heating, consider a ultra-hi eff (> 90%) unit.) It can (I think) exhaust thru the wall in a pvc pipe.
My standard note to anyone replacing a boiler...make sure it's not too large, as many installers will overspec and therefore be wasteful. A heat load calculation is a must.
Posted by: cmu at September 12, 2007 5:28 PM
We removed a gas burning gravity furnace and replaced it with a gas burning fan-forced. It was after we changed to this new and higher-efficiency furnace that our chimney started peeling and bubbling. We had to ultimately have our chimney relined. The furnace is essentially the same size (btu's) but I suppose fan-forced v gravity was responsible for our problem.
Posted by: guest at September 12, 2007 6:14 PM
Let me tell you about a real problem when you switch from oil to gas. Oil burns at a much higher temp than gas; therefore, your chimney will never be heated as intensely as when you used oil. An unintended consequence is that water vapor which is a byproduct of the combustion process can, and will, condense on the inside of the now cooler chimney. This water will find any crack or crevice in the lining and will leak into your interior walls. This will drive you crazy when you seek to solve the leak when what you really need to do is increase the draw on the chimney.
Ask you plumber about that.
Posted by: guest at September 12, 2007 6:49 PM
I'm Allie from the New York Daily News and I'm working on an article about gas and oil heating (the advantages and disadvantages of both). If you have any comments on either or both services, please feel free to call me either today (Wednesday) or Friday at 212-210-1675. Thank you.
Posted by: guest at September 26, 2007 2:49 PM
Allie. please be sure sure to share your findings at a high level, i.e., gas is cheaper, certain units are better than others, etc. thanks much
Posted by: guest at September 29, 2007 5:58 PM
So, does anyone have actual recommendations for chimney companies?
Posted by: guest at October 21, 2007 12:20 AM
I am a very well known plumber and primerily do most of my work on long island. I have been dealing with the same chimney company for 12 years now. All of my gas conversions are reccomended to be relined and in some cases is mandated. I have never had a complaint and me as well as the homeowner are always satisfied. If you feel you need a relining please call 631-383-6537.
Posted by: guest at November 23, 2007 8:46 PM
I used a great company on long island/ suffolk county called irish sweeps 631-549-0681.Best price out there- quality workmanship. Very pleased. Mary Lavin
Posted by: guest at November 25, 2007 12:54 AM
I used a great company on long island/ suffolk county called irish sweeps 631-549-0681.Best price out there- quality workmanship. Very pleased. Mary Lavin
Posted by: guest at November 25, 2007 12:59 AM
I suggest that unless you're in the trade...dont tell someone that it sounds like "hogwash". Conversion from oil to gas ALWAYS and i stress ALWAYS needs a stainless steel chimney liner because of the chemical reaction between the two byproducts inside the chimney...a form of sulfuric acid is produced by the oil burner which will eat away at the mortar or clay lining of a chimney...and because no matter what efficiency your gas furnace is, it will emit exponentially more co2 than oil...therefore creating a health hazard because of the years of oil fired byproduct in the chimney..and regular maintainance of the chimney after conversion is recommended as well..and yes you're plumber was not only correct..but should be applauded for knowing his job thoroughly,because too many people that work in offices and read a few home depot books question tradesman thinking that we are all trying to sell things that aren't necessary, but with this one he is spot on.
Posted by: guest at December 6, 2007 6:08 PM
We are also considering converting from oil to gas...pardon my ignorance but we have a wood-burning fireplace - would that mean that one section of it is currently being used to emit the CO2 from the oil burner and that would be the part that needs to be lined or does the entire fireplace need to be lined (in which case it wouldn't burn wood anymore?). Sorry - I find this all confusing.
Posted by: guest at December 18, 2007 3:32 PM
We are also considering converting from oil to gas...pardon my ignorance but we have a wood-burning fireplace - would that mean that one section of it is currently being used to emit the CO2 from the oil burner and that would be the part that needs to be lined or does the entire fireplace need to be lined (in which case it wouldn't burn wood anymore?). Sorry - I find this all confusing.
Posted by: guest at December 18, 2007 3:33 PM
only if your chimney is mortar brick does it have to be lined clay liner is sufficient.what are these guys anyway plumbers or chimney liners.good try.i have only been doing this for 20 years.
Posted by: guest at May 29, 2008 8:02 PM
Gas burns more efficient than oil,gas leaves no residues.Theres enough gas for another 200 years.
considering carbon monoxide vs oygen depletion after combustion inside a chimney open to atmosphere and heat makes co2 rise i dont understand the need for the liners
we had ours converted 15 years ago and no liner was installed no problem except the chimney was cooler the machine was more efficent in design
Posted by: guest at July 8, 2008 3:42 PM
We are replacing on old oil furnace
with a new 94% efficient propane
gas furnace. Our chimney is old
and not lined, simple solution is
to direct vent the gas furnace, 2
pvc lines can be used out the side
of the house, very little exhaust.
The old tank is being removed for
about 200 dollars and we expect
to save about 40 percent.
Good luck
Posted by: guest at July 13, 2008 8:07 PM
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