converting from oil to gas

Leo_16

Local oil companies are independant business's and strive to give service. A utility is a regulated monopoly, get used to it you are now a number. The posts on this thread tend to bear that out.

Leo

Lucas_2

what to expect

I am a recent homeowner in Flatbush brooklyn, Brick home built in 1936. It has the original oil burning GE boiler that looks like a Campbell's soup can. The house is heating with steam. We are in the process of converting to a gas burning boiler. National Grid - NYC's gas company - has a program that subsidizes the cost of the boiler. We have paid for it and I believe the boiler has been built. We have a plumber - John Hlad - who has been on board since we began our application for the subsidized boiler program. Now things are moving very slowly. We began this process in late spring so that the work would be done before it started getting cold. We have been told we are currently held up due to "paperwork". Further, once the old oil burner is removed we will need to wait three weeks without a boiler before the new gas burner can be installed. The explanation for this inconvenience is additional "paperwork". I know little about the process of removing/installing heating equipment so I don't know if this is standard operating procedure or if I should be concerned. PLease advise about what is really involved in approving and performing this job, what we should realistically expect, and what can be done if this sounds inappropriate.

Unknown

What is the holdup

I was recently at a National Grid meeting here in New England and we were advised that they have had thousands of requests for changeover to gas from oil. The typical waiting time could be three months.

I would get in touch with your local National Grid contact and advise them that you will be with out heat and it is getting cold. The squeky gate gets the oil, stay after them.

Brad White_194

And it is worth adding that

the installer should follow the boiler manufacturer's instructions to the letter. Not to disparage anyone, but I have seen too many utility company replacements which were just so wrong. (To be fair, a few very good ones, but getting a good install should not be a lottery, IMHO. )

Given the age of your old one and the efficiency of new ones, even gas, you should see a difference.

The risk of a poor install (exacerbated by an overworked crew with a compressed schedule) is a noisy, banging system, slow to heat and producing wet steam. Insulate the piping if bare or abated and buy all new vents, even if you must do that part yourself.

My $0.02

Brad

Boston_2

National Grid

We participated in the same program through National Grid (Massachusetts). The only difference being, we needed to also pay for a mainline extension. We started the process in late February and the job was finally completed in late August. We were also held up by paperwork and processing delays. We were able to press through the red tape by constantly calling and questioning National Grid. They finally relented and expedited the process. My only suggestion is to be very persistent.

Big Ed_4

National Grid....

....in the global community has never been known for good service. Good service costs money.