converting to gas

Strafford

My house at the Jersey shore got flooded during Superstorm Sandy.  I had an old oil boiler and a new 80 gallon electric water heater.  I need to replace both and will be converting my heat from oil to gas.  One contractor suggested putting in a combo unit that would heat the house and heat the water.  Other contractors suggest two units --a separate gas furnace and  gas water heater.  Cost is certainly a consideration but the more important consideration is to put in the arrangement that makes the most sense.  What do you recommend and what advice can you give me?  Also, if I do go with two separate units what size gas water heater should I put in the replace the 80 gallon electric unit?



thank you 

JStar

Heat and hot water

Stand alone water heaters are inefficient, inadequate, and need to disappear. They are an outdated, and often unsafe "technology". Your best option is a mod/con boiler with an indirect water heater. That will let you use the high 90% efficiency of the boiler to make your domestic hot water. The sizes depend on the fixtures and usage in your home.