Converting Old Thatcher Boiler to Gas?

Hoog23

I have an old Thatcher boiler.  It is probably an old coal boiler that was converted.  I do have an 'Oil Burner Permit' dated 1938.



My (in basement) oil tank is also probably original.  I did have my oil (err fuel) line spring a leak last year where it exited the slab and luckily I smelled the fuel before it turned into a disaster.  So I am probably on borrowed time with the tank.



I'm considering the switch to gas.  My plumber says that my gas service has enough capacity.



My question is it worth using the thatcher boiler?  Yes I assume it is not very efficient.  But I don't have any issues except that my hot water is too hot right after the boiler has cycled.



Thanks from White Plains

Al Letellier_21

oil to gas

I've only seen a couple of Thatcher boilers in my day and I personally would not convert it. Gas can save you money but only in an efficient boiler. The boiler certainly doens't care if the heat source is gas or oil as long as the BTU input is the same. Your boiler has outlived its expected life and you should consider replacement. The cost of conversion will go quite a way towards the replacement cost. The ultimate goal of conversion is energy conservation and increased efficiency....I simply don't see that happening with an old boiler like yours.

Tim McElwain

It is a waste of

time and money to put a gas conversion burner in that boiler. Put the money toward a new high efficiency package.

Steamhead

Is this

a steam or hot-water system? 

Hoog23

Steam

Steam

Steamhead

You have several choices

On gas, the Smith G-8 and Slant/Fin Intrepid boilers with powered gas burners will give you better efficiency than the usual atmospheric. And they can use either oil or gas.



But I suspect the real cause of your high fuel consumption is the boiler itself, not the fuel. With that in mind, the Burnham MegaSteam is the best residential steamer out there. But it's not offered in a gas version (yet?).



These are all good boilers, but the MegaSteam's 3-pass design makes it the most efficient.