Oil to Gas Hot Water Conversion

Philip Duane

I have a One-Pipe "Diverter-Tee" type hot water radiator system with oil furnace, about 30 years old. The radiator system itself is about 70 years old. I'd like to convert to a more efficient natural gas furnace, if possible. Any suggestions on my options?

Steamhead

Any boiler you buy now

(not "furnace") will be more efficient than your old one. This is true of oil-fired boilers as well as gas-fired ones.

There are some gas-fired boilers that have annual efficiencies (AFUE) over 90%. However, these are more complicated mechanically as well as electronically than the usual boilers which have roughly 82-86% AFUE. Some of them have had teething problems over the years, and if they break down, you may have to wait for parts.

A standard boiler with AFUE in the 82-86% range is likely assembled with standard parts and controls, which can be serviced easily if they break down.

If your present boiler does not have a flame-retention burner, but its design is similar to current models, it may pay to just replace the burner. In a good boiler, a new burner may save 10-15% on oil. A new oil burner will also burn with zero smoke (if set up properly) so the boiler will stay clean over the course of the heating season.

Whichever way you go, make sure you have a good contractor to do the installation. This is the most important part of the job. Good equipment is good equipment, but it cannot make up for a poor installation. Go to the Find a Contractor page of this site to locate someone near you. If you're in the Baltimore area, e-mail me!

To Learn More About This Contractor, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Contractor"

John@Reliable_2

More efficient natural gas heat? not always.......

Gas companys have done a very good job on marketing, but in fact new oil fired units using "Clearburn Science" have come along way. They run cleaner and can cost less to operate than gas allot of the time. Plus you can change oil companys unlike gas if you have problems with service.Checkout this website to really compare. www.oilheatamerica.com Hope this helps! John@Reliable

John@Reliable_2

Philip, check thread below \"Natural gas rate\"

John@Reliable