convert W-M SGO to gas?

JStar

Two cents

If the boiler isn't leaking, and looks like it can be cleaned up nicely, the conversion is a great choice.



I'm in central NJ. If nobody else can help you, I'd be willing to take a phone call from you. Heck...I'm not even against the idea of a little road trip.

RobG

Conversion Burner

One last thing, if you do go with the gas burner. If your old boiler dies in the near future just buy a replacement boiler without a burner and re-use your existing burner. It's less cost up front and less cost upon future replacement.

Rob

Jells

I made a call

So I called the one contractor in NJ within 1/2 hr drive and the girl on the phone says they don't do conversions!

Steamhead

Did you call

Jstar?

JStar

...

We're set up to look at it tomorrow.

Steamhead

Cool!

good luck.

JStar

Thanks.

And based on your high regard for it, I'm going to be installing a few Carlin EzGas burners soon. Excited to see the difference versus Wayne.

Steamhead

I don't believe

the Wayne P250/P265 burners are actual flame-retention units, based on the flame patterns they give. Same with the Midco E20 units. But the EZ-Gas is, which is one thing that makes it run so well in many modern boilers.

JStar

Wayne

They have a flame spreader, which I suppose is their way of trying to create a flame retention effect. 

Steamhead

Not

the same thing.

Jells

I've just been told the efficency of converters is in the 60's!!

My "old" heating guy just gave me prices, and firmly recommended I not do the converter as it's much less efficient than a new unit.  He said because the flame is cooler than oil, more if the heat goes up the pipe. Which made no sense to me. Do you guys sympathize yet with how tough it is to be a customer?!!



The more interesting part of his proposal was the option to convert the units to individual forced air, and then I'm off the hook for the heating bill.  He said the efficiencies were high enough to use PVC vents, and the railroad apartments were relatively easy to run ducts.  But his price on that was 2x his price for a new boiler, and leaves me with a lot of interior work soffiting in the ducts. I wonder what the price would be if I insisted on the "disposal" of the several tons of radiators myself!  Are they worth more as scrap or going to the reuse yards?

Tim McElwain

Find a new

contractor!

Steamhead

Agreed

and BTW, PVC is NOT approved material for venting combustion products. It's used a lot, but has never been listed for this use. So if something goes wrong.......

JStar

...

Hopefully, he has



It's hard being a contractor, fighting all of the old knucklehead's "wisdom". If you don't know how to do something, bad mouth it out of existence...