We recently purchased a 55 year old single family home in MA approx 1600 sq ft. The existing oil boiler is probably as old as the house and we are given to understand that it is working at 50% efficiency. We are looking to switch to oil and have requested quotes. We have gas for the stove and for hot water. One plumber pointed out that the pipe in our basement was 3/4 inch and was not suited to do all three jobs post conversion i.e. heat, hot water and stove. Since most of the pipes run through the ceiling of our finished basement and instead of tearing down the ceiling to replace the 3/4 inch pipe with a 1 inch pipe, he suggested that we not only replace the oil boiler (with a 95% efficiency gas boiler) but also replace the hot water boiler with a new version water boiler. This way, we are told, the gas in the 3/4 inch pipe will flow to the gas boiler and the hot water boiler will “feed” off the gas boiler. According to the plumber this is the most efficient manner and the only way that the town inspector will approve the new installation. Now comes the price tag for this quote: $8,200 vs $5,000 from a National Grid affiliated plumber who raised no questions on the 3/4 inch pipe. I was wondering if anyone had encountered this before and had any thoughts. Thanks.
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From what I can understand here is you have a fuel oil hot water boiler that you want to switch to gas.
You have a gas hot water heater.
The 3/4″ pipe your talking about is the gas supply pipe that would not be large enough to supply the heating boiler, water heater and the cook stove according to them.
The contractor is suggesting to use a indirect water heater that would use the boiler to heat the domestic water. So you wouldn’t have another burner to supply gas to.
There may be another option to make the 3/4″ gas supply feed enough and that is to make the system a 2 LB system.
The regulator outside would be changed and low pressure regulators used inside to drop the pressure back down to 1/2 LB before the appliance.
Have another contractor look at and give options.
youre in a catch 22 situation. let me give you some facts. there is no furnace or boiler wether gas oil or any other fossil fuel which will give you 95% and thats a fact gas maybe 87 oil 85. Ive been doin this for 37 yrs. Oil is still the best way to heat a house. Avoid all the bs of codes and inspections and stay with new oil equipment. Taht figure of 50% efficiency I would challenge. Its a sales pitch used by hungry contractors. An oil fire is 30% hotter than a gas fire and that adds to the economy. I know the prices are high but dont turn away from the new oil technology. Good Luck
Gas boilers can be above 90% efficiency so that would be the best for a new unit. Particularly with the current oil prices. I read that from the recent high prices gas cost about 1/4 the cost of oil per BTU.
You have some thinking to do and maybe other options. Where is the stove located? The 3/4 inch line may be enough to fuel the water heater and boiler. You might only need the 1 inch line to where you branch off for the stove. Or maybe you could run a separate line to the stove.
Just another thought. Good Luck.