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Oil to Gas conversion

stevetnj
stevetnj Member Posts: 5
in Gas Heating
Great forum with great information. I'm a homeowner in North New Jersey. We recently got natural gas on our street and also had it piped up to the house. I currently have a Utica (serial # FZ23340) with a beckett oil burner on it supplying 5 zones (1 of the zones is a radiant floor in the masterbath) and an indirect water heater. The Utica is from 2002 in good shape. I would like to keep the unit and add a gas gun to it. Looking for some advice from anyone who is familar with this conversion. Is this a good route etc., and all the pros and cons. In addition the house is roughly 2900 sq. feet, well insulated.
Thank you in advance.

Comments

  • EzzyT
    EzzyT Member Posts: 1,344
    edited February 2
    My personal opinion I would look at getting quotes for conversion which would only cover the fire side of the equipment. Along with a complete replacement of boiler & near boiler piping.
    I’ve done my fair share of conversions burners. I  have seen that there is some savings between oil and gas because of price between the two. But the overall real difference is when the boiler is plumbed correctly which will increase the overall system efficiency and heating comfort throughout the structure.

    E-Travis Mechanical LLC
    Etravismechanical@gmail.com
    201-887-8856
  • stevetnj
    stevetnj Member Posts: 5
    EzzyT, I was hoping to get a response from you. I have seen you post alot about the gas guns and I was interested in your opinion. Is it because of the age of the unit that you recommend a new system?
  • EzzyT
    EzzyT Member Posts: 1,344
    edited February 2
    The age boiler along with the overall near boiler piping. 
    Where in north NJ are you located?
    E-Travis Mechanical LLC
    Etravismechanical@gmail.com
    201-887-8856
    stevetnj
  • stevetnj
    stevetnj Member Posts: 5
    I re-read your initial response. Are you saying get a quote for the conversion for the gas gun and in addition a quote for a new system? 2 separate quotes...Am i understanding you correctly.
    I am located near Fairfield.
    PeteA
  • Tim McElwain
    Tim McElwain Member Posts: 4,642
    As someone who has done over 3,000 conversions from both coal to gas and oil to gas if it is done correctly it is a good idea. Make sure the person doing the conversion has lots of experience and make sure they do a combustion test before (ON Oil) and then one after the gas conversion. The age of 2002 is not to old to do a conversion I have in the past done them on much older systems and many of them are still running today.
    stevetnj
  • HVACNUT
    HVACNUT Member Posts: 6,332
    You gave the serial number of the Utica. Is the model an SF4150 or there about? If so, they are very draft friendly boilers and will need special attention when replacing the flue pipe and installing a gas draft regulator in the correct location. The regulator might need to be oversized to prevent too much over fire draft. 
    Is it a brick/Terra cotta chimney, or pre fab triple wall? If brick, a stainless liner will be needed.

    I'm an oil guy at heart, but with a 22 year old boiler, and everything that's attached to it is probably at least that old, right? So if you plan on converting, plan on doing it right. A correctly sized mod con, and a buffer tank for the radiant. It will increase your out of pocket, but it will also increase your ROI.

    Also keep in mind, apples to apples, a gas power burner is less efficient than a modern retention head oil burner. 
  • stevetnj
    stevetnj Member Posts: 5
    HVACNUT you are correct it is an SFH4150W. I can not answer the question regarding the chimney liner. The Indirect tank is 2 years old, the expansion tank is 6 months old, new pressure relief valves, and a couple of new zone valves.
  • EzzyT
    EzzyT Member Posts: 1,344
    Yes I’m saying get two different quotes for conversion burner and a new gas boiler. I service your area. Give me a call at 2018878856.
    E-Travis Mechanical LLC
    Etravismechanical@gmail.com
    201-887-8856
    stevetnj
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 17,384
    HVACNUT said:

    .........Also keep in mind, apples to apples, a gas power burner is less efficient than a modern retention head oil burner.

    Depends on what we're comparing. If we're talking about an older gas burner like the Midco E series or Wayne P250/P265, I'd agree. But a Carlin EZ-Gas with the 9-slot diffuser, or a Midco EC, is a flame-retention burner just like the present Beckett, with a similar flame pattern. So the boiler will be just as efficient with one of these burners. In fact, if the oil burner has been poorly maintained, the boiler will be more efficient once it's properly cleaned for the conversion. Plus, with the EZ-Gas or EC we can remove the "rug" on the bottom of the firebox since it is not needed on gas. This opens up some more heat-transfer surface.

    The SF4150 is a pretty solid boiler, and I would have no problem with converting it.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • stevetnj
    stevetnj Member Posts: 5
    Thanks to all of you who responded.  Your help is appreciated. 

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