Oil to Gas Conversion: Any personal preference/recos for steam vs. hot water??

Hi All, thanks in advance for any guidance (especially from Steam Man and Masterplumber)! Converting from oil heat to gas heat in a 3 story brownstone which is currently plumbed for steam. We have a total of 7 radiators throughout the home and a new chimney liner, steel, double-walled, 8″ from cellar to parlor floor then 6″ from parlor to rooftop (it is a straight run). I am struggling with whether to simply convert to a new, more efficient gas boiler and new water heater and retain the old steam plumbing system vs. changing over to hot water with a water storage tank which would supply my hot water. Obviously staying with steam would be cheaper, but this would be a conversion for the long haul. We may use the garden level as a rental in the future and it seems that there are more options for configuration variations with the steam. Any insight from others who may have done this and are familiar with the pros and cons of steam vs. hot water would be greatly appreciated. Any estimates on cost for a hot water system based on the details above would be very helpful too! Again, thanks in advance.

nalusurf

in About Brooklyn 12 years ago

4

Please log in, in order to post replies!

4 replies

Newest Oldest

steam_man | 12 years ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5146 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5093 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "176846"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(9) "steam_man"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BwTjqVdzbefHKag0RU5TXaF7tQCivs."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(9) "steam_man"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(25) "heat@moltenmechanical.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(31) "http:///forums/users/steam_man/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:25:50"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(9) "steam_man"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(176846)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Well there is not much more to add to what my esteemed colleague said. A small residence doesn’t lend itself to a modulating steam boiler, something that is quite common in a larger application. What I would consider is the ROI. You can probably find some comparative costs for heating a similar home on natural gas. Look it up right here on Brownstoner, I know I’ve seen such posts). Calculate the differential between your current cost and see what you’ll save. Perhaps there is some way for you to do the upgrade knowing how long it would take to recoup the expense. Remember, there are many grants and loans available for qualified projects of this type. Don’t give up. Let me know if you have any other questions. -S.

eman134 | 12 years ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5145 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5144 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "177006"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(7) "eman134"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BaRrlDjFBcYAeDJ9.lwOTJ9pQC9nsT."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(7) "eman134"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(23) "errol832000@hotmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(29) "http:///forums/users/eman134/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:25:55"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(7) "eman134"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(177006)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

AS MP said, a steam to hydronic conversion is a pricey undertaking…but if you are willing to stick to steam, NatGrid offers a rebate on a Burnham steam boiler, which is a really good choice. Just make sure that your plumber sizes it by measuring your radiation, so you do not end up with the headache of an oversized steam boiler.BTW you can run an indirect heater off of a steam boiler without any problem….my contact info is in my profile, feel free to drop me an email

nalusurf | 12 years ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5141 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5147 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "176812"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(8) "nalusurf"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$B3EsFpsqLLNliF0qOma5D0JRgCjxE11"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(8) "nalusurf"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(23) "peterh.walter@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(23) "/forums/users/nalusurf/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:25:48"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(8) "nalusurf"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(176812)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Thanks, MP! Had a feeling it would be pricey, admittedly thought, not that expensive! Looks like I will be sticking with the current steam system. Will definitely look into improving the existing system though.

Master Plvmber | 12 years ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5146 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5148 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(4) "1447"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(14) "Master Plvmber"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BSHLZQSJWUzjnaSv9fyWJpNYjwcz.u."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(14) "Master Plvmber"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(24) "info@gatewayplumbing.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(30) "http://www.GatewayPlumbing.com"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2007-08-10 20:40:53"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(14) "Master Plvmber"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(1447)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

To convert from steam to hot water, start thinking in the neighborhood of $40,000.00 for all new radiators, a new boiler, supply/return risers, and incidentals like boiler controllers, filing, etc. Sometimes you can re-use the rads you’ve been using for steam, but they’ll need to be fitted with valves and plugs to pressure test them, then refitted to work with the hot water system which tends to operate at more than 10x the pressure of steam. By that time, you’re often better off just having bought new ones. A new replacement steam boiler will have the same advertised efficiency ratings as your old one. That’s ~80%-82%. There just haven’t been any significant advancements made in the combustion efficiency of steam boilers, so the way to make up some points and maximize payback on fuel costs is to address the system. Steam heat needs good functioning air vents, low pressure settings, clean combustion readings, good water quality, proper piping configurations, and smart boiler controls to function at its peak. All these things are attainable by good installation practices and regular maintenance by heating techs and plumbers who have a specialty in steam.