problems when converting from oil to gas

Tom_55

Hi all,
I am thinking about covnerting a 50 year old oil furnace (hot air) to gas. Any problems that should be addressed before tackling such a job? Any brands to avoid?
Thanks
Tom

ed wallace

converting from gas to oil

are you aware you will not get as much heat from the nre gas furnace oil furnaces the blower turns on at 150 degrees the new gas furnaces fan comes on at 130 degrees and is non adjustable and if its a free furnace from the gas co whats the install charges i bet you the labor charges cover the furnace

Todd_9

NYS state code

Also requires an estimate be provided to remove/abandon your oil tank. Make sure you have the fill pipe removed!!! Most of the spills I am aware of are from a plumber leaving the fill pipes in place and not connected to anything.

Mitch_4

thingd to consider

> Hi all, I am thinking about covnerting a 50 year

> old oil furnace (hot air) to gas. Any problems

> that should be addressed before tackling such a

> job? Any brands to avoid? Thanks Tom



The question of converting oil to gas comes up occasionally and there a several thing to keep in mind.

The oil burner itself CANNOT be converted to burn natural gas or propane. It can only burn #1 or #2 fuel oil. The Furnace is CERTIFIED as an Oil Fired
Forced Air Furnace only.

Manufactureres cannot condone the use of their product beyond its certified application.

That being said, there are manufacturers of "Conversion Burners" which are aftermarket products that burn either natural gas or propane, and are designed to mount on an oil furnace in place of the existing oil burner. Unless the manufacturer has tested or certified any of these products they will not be in a position to comment on their suitability for use, or offer technical support.

If you elect to use an aftermarket conversion burner, I must inform you that ANY and ALL warranty on your furnace would be null and void as the manufacturer did not
design the unit to burn natural gas or propane. All stated efficiencies are also not applicable. The heat exchanger is designed for use with heating oil and they willnot vouch for its efficiency when using a different fuel.

In addition Conversion burners are usually sized at 90% of the oil rating as a safety factor.

In Canada the B149.1 Natural Gas and Propane Installation Code also has requirements for converting oil appliances to natural gas that need to be adhered to(sections 3.3.5, 6.6 and 6.7) If the manufacturer has never certified a conversion burner 6.7.2(b) would be applicable and The authority having jurisdiction would likely be required to field certify the installation. Most Gas utilities also require annual inspections and service on
conversion burners as their application is to an appliance not certified for that fuel. In addition your venting system would need to be inspected for suitability for use with natural gas and possibly lined to comply with the
venting tables in the B-149(in Canada).

When you look at the costs of the conversion burner, labour for removal and replacement of the burner and set up. The cost of installation of the gas piping. The removal and capping of the oil tank (to prevent accidental
filling) the possibility of installing a chimney liner, lack of warranty and possible reduced efficiency, and annual inspection/servicing, it may be better in the long run to simply replace the unit with a new high
efficiency unit certified for use with natural gas.

As you can see I have been this route many times, and the preceeding is a simplified version of the letter sent to me from a manufacturer, slightly edited to remove brand specifics. E mail me if you want a complete copy.

Mitch

Firedragon_4

If you have a 50 year old

furnace you have a 50 year old house or older. Make sure if you're going to do this you get the chimney lined if you go gas it's a MUST!

If you stay with oil put a liner in anyway, it's money in the bank either way, FACT!

Mitch_4

I missed the 50 year old part

I would just replace it. That old heat exchanger may last another 100 years, but it takes a lot of energy just to heat it up.

I would replace the whole she-bang. Save some heating costs.

Mitch

Al Gregory

around here the gas company was giving great deals to get people to switch. New furnace and remove oil tank. after two winters people were calling us and asking how much to go back to oil. We will install gas if people want it but I wouldnt want it in my home.