Gas against oil, again, Question

bill nye_3

My friend Ray is a trustee at an old church. Early 1800's I think. They have oil, want to switch to gas. I am prejudiced, I am an oilman from way back when... .


Two boilers, one steam, one hot water. Both fired at about 3gph. Weil McLains both in poor shape. The steam is about 1950's it is like a 57 series but not sure, ABC-Sunray burner.


The hot water looks like early ' 80"s. Can't recall burner.

Gas from city, NG, is piped into building. Could powerburners be fitted into these old beasts? I would also guess that the pair of 275 oiltanks are from the late 1940's or early 1950's [judging by period oil dealer stickers ] and condition. They need to be replaced anyway.

I would replace the boilers too. But this is a church and of course they have no money.

Bottom line, Would they save any money? Would they ever recoup the cost of changing over? The $3.00 oil is making people nervous.

I tried to go with the oil guy has competition to keep his prices in line, who you gonna get after you hook up to the gas pipe? It is a monopoly.

Steamhead (in transit)

Best one to talk to

regarding this is Tim McElwain. gastc@cox.net .

You need to figure the cost per BTU of gas in your area. If you are at the mercy of the usual unregulated monopoly, they are probably charging about as much per BTU as oil would cost.

If the burner on the steamer is "ABC-Sunray", it's probably new enough to be a high-speed flame-retention type. If this is so, you might not even see much gain from just upgrading the burner. I'm sure a new boiler would give the most savings, but you say they can't or won't afford it.

Get the relative cost per BTU and go from there.

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