Converting from heat pump to gas (NYC)

zratis

Hello.

Here's a quick summary of the situation:

1. We had an oil tank and oil burner which were both removed.
3. It was a steam system - radiators can be reused (some could be updated).
4. Pipes from radiators are showing in the basement ceiling (want to reuse them).
5. Installed the split units inside for cold air conditioning (this has a heat pump).
6. We want to install a gas steam burner (the heat pump is not sufficient).
7. The only gas appliance is the water heater, no gas dryers or stoves.

Questions:

1. Does ConEd care if a plumbing company rechecks the gas pressure?
2. If I ask if the gas line is a heating line, will that trigger something with ConEd?
3. Is the assumption correct Con Ed must switch to a heating line for insurance purposes?
4. If it is not a gas line, should this be filed with ConEd before or after the job?
5. Curious if anyone knows the heat pump rebate must be repaid in this scenario.


Thanks

Mad Dog_2

Any thing concerning Natural Gas is regulated by Con Ed & NYC D.O.B. Of course,  you're allowed to ask questions, but  you'll be better consulting with a NYC L.M.P. on what's required currently. It's  more involved & regulated than ever.  Mad Dog 🐕 

zratis

Sounds like you know what is possible.  Can you be more specific to any questions I posted?

WMno57

I doubt if gas lines in NYC are designated "Heating lines" or not. Its just a matter of, is the diameter of the line large enough to deliver enough gas for all the appliances in the home.
You have an existing line for the water heater. As Mad Dog said, have a licensed master plumper determine the BTU capacity of the existing line, then figure out if it has enough excess capacity to hook up a boiler to it.
One option for you if it does not. Replace the existing water heater with a non-gas water heater. Then you have the entire capacity of the gas line for your new boiler.

pecmsg

zratis said:

Sounds like you know what is possible.  Can you be more specific to any questions I posted?

We can't see what you have. As @Mad Dog_2 said you need a licensed master plumber to review and recommend.

GW

It's a stinker when you ask a simple set of questions and no one answers. The whole topic is moving towards policy and politics at a rapid pace. If you were in Massachusetts (where I reside), there would 'not' be an easy answer to that set questions, especially if you received rebate money. The Gas Co's are saying 'no more new gas loads'. So, if we remove a gas heating system, we can't re-install it (in most cases, maybe a small technicality here and there) We trade guys are just pawns, unfortunately. It's a new age.

GW

"the heat pump is not sufficient"

They are sufficient; these systems are getting installed like wild up in Maine.

It's possible you have a poor install, or, your elec bills are hammering you badly, or both.

I hope it all works out.

zratis

I can’t be more specific about what I have.  If this is not enough, this site is not useful. 

GW

OK sorry you feel that way---it's like if you did a 'boo boo' with the law, and tried to seek advice from www.getlawhelpnow. Unfortunately, you crossed into a gray area.

pecmsg

zratis said:

I can’t be more specific about what I have.  If this is not enough, this site is not useful. 

Have you called Con Ed and asked them?

KC_Jones

zratis said:

Hello.

Here's a quick summary of the situation:

1. We had an oil tank and oil burner which were both removed.
3. It was a steam system - radiators can be reused (some could be updated).
4. Pipes from radiators are showing in the basement ceiling (want to reuse them).
5. Installed the split units inside for cold air conditioning (this has a heat pump).
6. We want to install a gas steam burner (the heat pump is not sufficient).
7. The only gas appliance is the water heater, no gas dryers or stoves.

Questions:

1. Does ConEd care if a plumbing company rechecks the gas pressure?
2. If I ask if the gas line is a heating line, will that trigger something with ConEd?
3. Is the assumption correct Con Ed must switch to a heating line for insurance purposes?
4. If it is not a gas line, should this be filed with ConEd before or after the job?
5. Curious if anyone knows the heat pump rebate must be repaid in this scenario.


Thanks

1. The plumbing company should be checking gas pressure at the appliance as part of any install. They should also be checking the meter, prior to any install, to verify you have the appropriate meter size for the proposed new load on the gas supply. If the meter isn't adequate then you will need that upgraded, and I have no idea what may be involved with that, ConEd and the contractor are the ones who would know.
2. This question makes no sense to me, and I'm guessing others. So we aren't sure how to answer, but I'll try anyway. A gas line is a line to supply gas to your house, what it's used for internally, as long as it's code compliant, and you aren't overloading the supply, is of no concern to ConEd so they won't have any say. To my knowledge there is no such thing as a heating line with respect to a gas line, it's simply a gas line.
3. See previous reply, your reference to a heating line is not a term that is used to my knowledge.
4. If it's not a gas line, why does ConEd need to be involved? Not sure what line you are talking about?
5. I have no knowledge of rebates so I can't help you there.

You need to contact ConEd, or, if you are using a legitimate contractor they should know what needs done and be guiding you through this process. I understand wanting to be an informed homeowner, but inquiring here about what ConEd will do is a bit silly to me because we don't make ConEd policy and really can't accurately answer those questions. We can just give some basic information.

WMno57

State and Local laws vary. For example in Maine:
https://www.mainepublic.org/business-and-economy/2023-11-30/maine-will-no-longer-require-older-heating-systems-to-be-disconnected-to-get-heat-pump-rebates
Fourth Amendment trumps all local laws and building codes. You may not get a permit, but the local building code yahoo isn't going to break and enter your home. Unless you give him permission.