should I Switch from oil to gas

Jimedean

I just bought a small 50 year old 2 family, a 1 bedroom over 2 with a basement. I am new to home ownership and heating systems. The House has the original coal boiler that was switched to oil with a steam system and I was considering converting to gas heat. I was told gas was cleaner and since I would be removing the oil tank , I would have more room to finish the basement for my kids which kinda is a priority. I was told oil heat was better for a steam heating system and that the new oil boilers run as clean as a gas system. Which is more efficient and makes my monthly costs go down . Do I want a hot water heater? National grid said I would save about $700 a year which would take about 10 years to offset the $8000.00 cost for a new gas sytem. A friend said " if it aint broke dont fix it" I dont know what to do. The house needs some upgrades (kitchen , bathroom, cement work ...more than I expected) so is it worth changing, upgrading or leave it alone???

Robert O'Brien

Even if

it takes 10 years,that's a 10% return on your investment,tax free.Not too bad with money market rates under 1%. How long is the payback on the bath,kitchen etc.? There is none,even if you sell,you're lucky to recoup a portion of the investment!

Nova

Go for the Gas

You are very lucky!  I too have National Grid and asked to switch to gas from oil.  I was dismayed to find there are NO gas lines nearby.



My research showed natural gas as much cheaper (and somewhat more predictable) than fuel oil.  Also, it is a domestic resource so less worry about oil shortages, price spikes and the like.  I think they also have a nice rebate program.  Get an energy audit from them (free...since you already paid for it) to see what else they might offer.  I got a bunch of light bulbs and the chance to get a huge discount on insulation, but that's another story.

Steamhead

Either fuel will work well with steam

but once you switch to gas, you're locked into an unregulated monopoly. I heat with oil and that's one of several reasons.



Also, the best residential steamer on the market today is oil-fired- the Burnham MegaSteam.

Charlie from wmass

You may save more if

You switch to a new oil boiler with proper venting and piping. If you go with a Smith or a Slant fin you can switch to gas at a later date and enjoy the benefits of a new and more efficient boiler now or you can install them as gas fired now and switch to oil if you find the pricing is not what they said it was. I heat with oil because I like to be able to check my costs and buy from the person who treats me best. It is hard to leave a natural gas company as a customer but easy to leave an oil company. The mega Steam by Burnham is around 85% maybe a bit higher for efficiency.

Steamhead

MegaSteam AFUE

is 86%.



On a STEAM boiler!