Boiler Conversion and LAA Process

We are undertaking a long-overdue boiler conversion. We have interviewed various licensed plumbers with prices ranging from $8,500 , $9,800 and $13,500. Aside from the prices varying though they all basically cover the same scope of work,tank removal, install same new boiler and same hot water heater (nothing special) the plumbers vary in how to handle existing gas stove and dryer. Two reccommend upgrading these gas lines and adding to paperwork being filed and one reccommends only doing the boiler….?????His comment is that dryers seldom pass inspection though everything seems to be done by code. He said the LAA paperwork is just to deal with the conversion  and nothing else. Doesn’t the line have to be tested for all gas????? Another difference- two reccommend lining the chimney which is in good shape and one says the CO2 emissions from oil are worse and it will not be necessary to line. We plan to have it inspected anyway once we find an honest chimney cleaning business (which is the hard part). Also, I understand that gaslines in NYC have to be 3/4″ diameter. Should existing 1/2″ gas lines be replaced? Any clarifications on this LAA paperwork etc. will be appreciated. Thanks

argentina

in Building Code 12 years and 9 months ago

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slvillager | 12 years and 9 months ago

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We had big apple do an emergency chimney flue replacement for us after conversion- when we turned on the new gas boiler for the first time, the basement filled with smoke because the chimney flue wasn’t wide enough. you definitely want to get this sorted out beforehand and make sure the plumber measures the chimney properly prior to conversion. gas is combustible and requires a larger opening for saftey and for code. Big apple is very, very good and worth the money. be aware that chimney work is messy as all hell, too. dust all over the house.

Silvermax | 12 years and 9 months ago

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When you’re trying to decide what plumber to use, ask them specific questions about how they plan to vent the furnace. If you are having a mod-con boiler installed — modulating-condensing, very high efficiency boiler — and you have to vent it through the chimney, only two kinds of liner are acceptable: (1) PVC, which is only possible if your chimney flue is straight or if you are willing to open up the walls on the inside on each floor so that PVC bends can be installed. Or (2) AL29-4c, which is a _particular type of flexible stainless steel_ that won’t corrode. Other kinds of flexible st. st. are not acceptable with a mod-con boiler. Both chimney companies cited are good, but A&A only installs PVC. Big Apple can install the stainless steel.

Master Plvmber | 12 years and 9 months ago

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You don’t have the option of using a non-lined chimney when doing an oil-to-gas conversion. You can have the original terra cotta lining or a new metal liner, but you can no longer vent any new boiler into a masonry (brick and mortar) chimney. Any plumber telling you anything different doesn’t care if he kills you to get the job. Dryers seldom pass inspection? I don’t what that means. Is a clothes dryer some unique appliance in Brooklyn? Of course not. Installed properly, they pass inspections. If you make any alteration to an existing 1/2″ gas line, you’ll have to replace it in a compliant way with 3/4″ pipe and fittings to pass a new inspection.  As for the $5K difference in installation prices, trust me there is a difference in quality and the way the boiler will perform for the next 25 years. I do about as many boiler piping corrections as I do installations-from-scratch (about 100/yr) every year. Call A&A or Big Apple Chimney (two VERY different companies) for inspections and quotes for your chimney.