Gas Burner Conversions

Young One

The Viessmann Vitola Boiler (all series) are listed to be fired on oil, lp, ng. Viessmann has adressed this issue and lists all three fuels on the Vitola boilers.

Mike3010

Gas Conversions

Just curios how Oil to Gas Buuner conversions are handled in other parts of the country. Here in Maine, Natural Gas is new. The Gas company is pushing retrofitting burners. The Burner companies are more than happy to quote a conversion gas burner for anything. But Code Enforcement does not want to see a gas burner installed into a piece of equipment without paperwork from that boiler or furnace manufacturer saying that their piece of equipment is ok for natural gas. Boiler manufacturers would have nothing to gain from this, except for possible liability in a lawsuit. Also much of the time the manufacturer has gone out of business. Thanks for any input.

Unknown

Most companies will not

authorize the installation of gas burners in their equipment. That being said Maine Code Enforcement will stop all conversions with that requirement. Too bad as a gas conversion burner installed in most oil boilers and furnaces will get you combustion efficiency in the 80% range.

It is my contention that no one should be installing conversion burners unless they have been properly trained. There is more to it than just removing one burner and sticking another one in its place. Maybe I need to come up to Maine and run some classes on installing conversion burners.I have installed over 3,500 in my career so I am sure I could help folks to avoid some of the pitfalls.

I have not over the years found many boilers or furnaces that could not be converted. When you do the conversion you become the designer and are responsible for all testing and liability.

The best alternative is for the gas company to take on the conversion liability and farm out the installation. My old company did that for years.