Converting Oil to Gas

Young One

Thanks Guys for all your input. I already have gas at the house, So I may just get the gas burner. My boiler has already outlived the warranty and i think that putting a new burner on will give me 20 more years of operation, only If my car was this reliable.

The burner I think I am going to go with is a Viessmann Gas Burner.

Young One

Converting Oil to Gas

I have a Viessmann model 13516042 and I wanted to see if this boiler can be converted to natural gas. My service guy says that this is the only one he has seen, and says that this is not possible to convert.

Has anyone ever converted this boiler or do you know if it is possible?

This boiler has served me well and I do not want to get rid of it, any input would greatly help.

Keith_8

curious

Why are you interested in converting?

Is it a price issue?

Service Issue?

Keith

Unknown

would suggest

you contact Viessmann to determine if that boiler can be converted to natural gas. Typically converting from oil to gas if done properly will usually increase your combustion efficiency by about 5%. What I am saying is that if your oil combustion efficency after tuneup was 75% that with the proper gas conversion burner and installed correctly by a gas expert who has many years of experience in doing these type of conversions you can expect 80% efficiency. The thing to pay attention to is what will the conversion cost versus your return on your investment.

Then as was already asked why do you want to convert? Are you having problems with the system, if so putting in a gas conversion burner will not always solve those kind of problems.

It has been my experience over the years after installing over 3,500 conversion burners that sometimes it is better to leave the oil burner in rather than convert to gas. That being said you need to know I worked for a gas utilty for 28 years and am now the owner and operator of the Gas Training Institute. I have been working in the heating industry for many years (52) to be exact. It is important to know that many times a gas conversion can be labor intensive and that certain designs of oil boilers do not lend themselves to an easy or cost effective conversion to gas.

Your installer better know what he or she is doing or you will have some real nightmares.

Young One

Oil to Gas

The reason for the conversion is becasue my Insurance company wants me to install a new oil tank. I am just weighing my options

Constantin

... another home owner here...

... you could try out some Roth tanks. Very easy to get into most basements, virtually leakproof (2 containers, one plastic), easy to assemble, etc. I like mine.

Jim S

Why not just install a new tank ?

Is the old one buried?

If you go through all the trouble of converting to gas i`m assuming you`d still have to have the old tank removed just the same.

Young One

Oil to Gas

The tank isn't buried. I am also told that the burner motor is starting to go and replacement isn't available. Since I already have natural gas at the house I figured this would be a good time to convert to natural gas

Jason_15

oil to gas

Where you live in the USA also makes a big difference in the oil vs gas debate. in some areas oil is cheaper by a bit, and in some other areas (where I live) natural gas is 33% less per BTU than oil is. Nobody can predict the future, however.

Rich P.

Chimney liner

A chimney liner may be required, or recommended,

There's another reason to stay with oil
Many new oil burners are quieter, than older models
Try a Riello nice burner

Rich P.

Steve Ebels_3

I'd call Veissmann

They would be able to recommend do's and don'ts for your unit. I seriously doubt if that part is not available.

Firedragon_4

I'm curious about that

burner motor, have you spoken with Viessmann?

What are their thoughts on all of this?

Ron Schroeder_3

burner motor starting to go

Can you please share what your service technician means by "starting to go"? If you provide me with a boiler and burner serial number I can look into a gas conversion burner for you. After a good clean-up the boiler should be able to be left in place and the rest of your heating system undisturbed.

heatboy

Viessmann offered a gas option ....

for that boiler. A Riello gas burner would likely bolt right in place. Maybe with a door replacement, the Chassis Gas would be the preferred burner. Call 'em @ 401.732.0667

Putting anything else but the factory burner would be ill advised (foolish) since the chamber is pressurized.

Steamhead (in transit)

\"Replacement parts not available\"

I have heard customers tell me they were told that so many times- and every time so far, the person who told the customer parts were not available was lying. I have stopped counting the "unavailable" parts I've been able to "miraculously" find. At least they didn't leave you without a working boiler like some I've run into.

I am sure if the burner motor on your Viessman needs replacing, the part is available somewhere. As has been said earlier, get in touch with the Viessman people.

Replacing the tank seems to be the best option, since you wouldn't have to make any changes to the boiler. But if Viessman offers a gas kit for this model, it might pay to get one even if you don't convert now. That way you could have the boiler switched to whatever fuel was cheapest whenever you wanted. The process would take about a day.

And find yourself a worthy contractor. Go to the Find a Professional page of this site to locate one near you.

Young One

Oil to Gas

After a couple of emails, and than contacting head office in Canada I was told that the motor is no longer available from them and when I asked about converting to batural gas I was told absolutley! The guy there gave me a ballpark price, but said I needed to have a form completed by a qualified technician to determine exactly what is required. I was pleased with how helpful the company was.

I may get the gas burner, and keep it just incase. Thanks to everyone for your input.

Jim S

Strange

do they offer an alternative since that particular motor is not available?

If you were planning on staying with oil there must be some way to keep that burner running.

Steamhead (in transit)

\"The motor is no longer available from them\"

Try Sid Harvey, they have replacements for just about anything.

heatboy

If you get..........

the chance to switch to natural gas, take it. Having looked at more than a few Vitola boilers that use oil and gas, the gas fired boilers are as clean as the day I started them and don't loose any efficiency over the year. The oil fired units on the other hand..........

hb

Ron Schroeder_3

of course have to be serviced

and if you study the manuals you will see that the gas fired Vitolas, like every other power burner fed appliance, also need an annual to maintain peak performance. I too have opened up old installation that never missed a beat. Guess why I was asked to open them? They began to miss many beats and the installer wouldn't come back. Hmm.

BTW, The gas fields that are currently being tapped seem to have considerable amouts of impurities in them. Some of the freeloaders are causing plug ups of gas strainers by oxidizing copper gas lines and others are just ordinary dirt. Something to keep in mind.

Young One

Oil to Gas

My boiler is around 20 years old. I have always had regular maintenance. I had the option to get a combination wood/oil fired boiler but at the time I was just interested in oil. With the price of fuel I should have went with the other one. I have seen the new Viessmann boilers on the website and they look Hi-tech. When I first bought my boiler it was advanced than. I can see that this is still a company that keeps up with technology.

joel_19

burner?

what burner do you have and where do you live ? I don't get the motor not being available ? If it's Riello the parts should be available or you could just get a new burner ?
FYI we've sold Viessmann since just around 1990??? and have never had a parts problem . if you live in Mass I wouldn't go gas , costs more and supply can be a problem in certain areas . Plus if you don't like the utility you can't switch.

To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"

Young One

Burner

I have had my boiler since the early 80's. The model of the burner is a VEII042. I may stick with oil I am not sure. But I can get a Gas burner as a future option.

Dave Palmer_3

stick

with oil and install a Reillo burner,oil burns hotter,plus it would be cheaper then running gas pipe,gas burner,chimney liner.best of luck Dave

Bob Eh?_2

Motor starting to go?

What is his basis for this observation? If it is just age I think we are all in trouble!

In any event I would consider taking that motor out and checking the bearings, seals and whatnot, maybe replacing the capacitor. If in doubt take it to a motor rebuild shop and have them give it a thorough inspection.... They can usually rebuild a motor unless the main parts are severely mechanically damaged.....

I have seen all kinds of burners with motor that work just fine that are at least 50 years old if they were decently built (which I would suspect the Viessman item would have been)

Bob

heatboy

Same heat exchanger...

as a new Vitola, so keeping the boiler is a good idea (Can't improve on a great design). Your's was undoubtedly brought down here from Canada. The burner is the first Viessmann "Chassis Burner". I doubt you will find a motor for it after all of these years. Switching to gas, would still be a good, and in my opinion, better, choice. Clean fuel oil may make me change my mind, although, I don't think we'll see it any time soon.

Anyway, the part number for your oil burner is VEII-O-42 and the gas burner part number is VEII-1G-42. Those numbers will help with any upgrades you are considering.

hb

Ron Schroeder_3

Please contact Viessmann

either in Waterloo ON or Langley BC.As interest is being brought forward a conversion kit is being conceived that will allow the new Vitoflam burner to be used with these reliable old boilers. The information we will require is a boiler serial number and a burner serial number. There are some outstanding control issues when fitting any of the new 120V burners to the older boiler series. Thanks for your loyalty to the product.