Oil to gas conversion on Long Island - Installer recommendation

14 years ago

Hi,

I currently have an oil fired boiler with hot water heating via a baseboard. I've gotten 6 estimates from National Grid recommended plumbers and want to pull the trigger on one of them. Most are small operations with the owner and a family member doing the work. These want to do replacement units that either are 80 or 85% rated efficiency. They say the hi efficiency units won't work with baseboard heat. That the heat isn't sufficiency cooled when it returns. One guy that owns what appears to be a larger business, want's to put in a 93% high efficiency unit. He wants $9K (after rebates) - the other people are a few thousand less. He wants to put in a unit with an alum. heat exchanger which isn't in favor with a lot of you. Has anyone on Long Island done a conversion and is happy on who they used? If someone could give me the name of someone they used, I'd appreciate it. Thanks.

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Comments (4)

mnk716
14 years ago
family member went through the same thing here in CT. the cost was about $9k with an 85% efficiency. this allowed to use the old chimney w/o a liner.

he had a 55 year old oil boiler when he converted to gas. he installed a Buderus system with 40 gallon indirect hot water tank. this is his 2nd year and is saving about $150 @ month.

the payback is a long time (8-10 years) which is why conversion does not always work out. is there a reason you want to change??
kath_inseastpa
14 years ago
Pay attention to the comment re: high efficiency gas boiler (condensing boiler) is not good match for hot water baseboard heating. It will work fine, but it will not be condensing, so it will run like a non-condensing boiler, which has an efficiency in the mid to high 80s (but you are paying for the 95% feature).

Baseboard heating is considered a high temperature system and the temperature of the return water into the boiler is often higher than the dew point of the flue gases, so the condensing does not take place. I have read of a design where is a domestic water storage tank and heat exchanger is upstream from the boiler, it assures that the water temperature is low enough when re-entering the boiler, condensing can take place.

Also you will need a drain pipe for the condensate, e.g., either a laundry standpipe or basement floor drain.

I have oil and am considering gas, and a modulating condensing gas boiler (high efficiency) was recommended. I have hot water radiant ceiling heat, and I am trying to determine if this system is considered a high or low temperature system. Radiant floor is low; baseboard is high.
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rcobrien_technicalheating_com
12 years ago
You've been misinformed as to the use of condensing boilers with baseboard systems. BNL did a study right here on Long Island about this topic. It's available here

Here is a link that might be useful: Brookhaven National Lab Baseboard Study
jfcomerford_gmail_com
12 years ago
i would like to refer you to a great site run by a long island heat guru,dan holohan.on the site ypu can find contractors on the site.one very popular member is a plumber from floral park,triple crown is the name of his outfit.i am also doing a conversion soon but hopefully will have my license by then.check him out or at least the site,if you have a ?you cancall me 917 715 0786,by the way these boilers work fine wiyth all heat enmitters that is why we have primary and secondary loops to keep the return water above a certain temp.

Oil to gas conversion on Long Island - Installer recommendation

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mnk716

kath_inseastpa

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