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Boiler conversion

Bob Larson_3
Bob Larson_3 Member Posts: 13
in THE MAIN WALL
I have a customer with a 20 year old Burnham oil boiler with DHW heat exchanger, and wants to switch to gas. Is it even worth considering a conversion? If not, what would you recommend? Notice how low the vent is going into the chimney, nowhere near an exterior wall in a finished basement.

Comments

  • Alan (California Radiant) Forbes
    Alan (California Radiant) Forbes Member Posts: 4,002
    How much DHW do you need? How many bathrooms? How many residents? Looks like you have radiators, correct?
    8.33 lbs./gal. x 60 min./hr. x 20°ΔT = 10,000 BTU's/hour

    Two btu per sq ft for degree difference for a slab
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 15,517
    The flue should rise up higher at the boiler, it's called "self venting", not sure that boiler is worth a conversion
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,830
    Looks like a tankless coil- not sure you're gonna find an atmospheric gas boiler with one. Is there room for an indirect tank?
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • Alan (California Radiant) Forbes
    Alan (California Radiant) Forbes Member Posts: 4,002
    I misunderstood and think he's considering keeping the existing boiler, converting it to gas.
    8.33 lbs./gal. x 60 min./hr. x 20°ΔT = 10,000 BTU's/hour

    Two btu per sq ft for degree difference for a slab
  • Bob Larson_3
    Bob Larson_3 Member Posts: 13
    Yes, I was wondering about the feasibility of converting it to NG. There's a 65 gallon electric tank next to the boiler, I think the HX on the boiler is just auxiliary. The house has 2.5 baths, 2 people living there.
  • motoguy128
    motoguy128 Member Posts: 393
    What type radiation? IF high mass, a mod con with outdoor reset would save a fair amount and would work with a combi as a reasonable price. At 20 years.... you roll the dice a little. It should last 10-20 more, but might not if it has leaks and water quality is poor.

    A combi would save at least $50/mo in electricity for DHW. I added an indirect to my steam boiler and electric bill dropped almost $100 and gas bill only went up $30. But I have 3 people so more laundry.

    Is the chimney lined?

    Seems like the conversion would be almost 1/3 the cost of replacement.

    My worry is that once YOU “touch it”, YOU own it as a contractor. IF there’s any issues, you’ll have call backs. If its something you do a lot of, then its not a big deal.

    I’ve had to learn that lesson too many times. You take on something that wasn’t really installed right and commit to fixing it instead of putting up your hands and saying “I’m not touching it” and quote a replacement.

    What’s really in the customers best interests?
    Bob Larson_3

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