Skip to content
Contractors

User Stats

18
Posts
7
Votes
James Konvalinka
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Milwaukee, WI
7
Votes |
18
Posts

Replacing Octopus Furnace??

James Konvalinka
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Milwaukee, WI
Posted Mar 22 2022, 16:53

Hey,

I am wondering if anyone has some experience in replacing an old octopus Furnace with a forced air furnace? I am looking at purchasing a duplex that currently has an old school octopus furnace that has been converted to burn natural gas and I have no idea what it would cost to convert this to forced air or what the process would even be. I am planning on reaching out to some local HVAC contractors but I was wondering if anyone on BP has done this before and could shed some light on what I might be getting myself into. 

Cheers!

User Stats

568
Posts
426
Votes
Malcomb Stapel
  • Investor
  • Topeka, KS
426
Votes |
568
Posts
Malcomb Stapel
  • Investor
  • Topeka, KS
Replied Mar 22 2022, 17:34

@James Konvalinka  it sounds like your already on the right track contacting HVAC contractors. My only advice would be get quotes from several of the big name contractors in your area. This might seem counterintuitive but I've found them much easier to deal with, at least in my market. I'm talking about the kind of places that have big parking lots, with fences around them, and fleets of service trucks. They also generally have a reputation to uphold, and are getting some of the best workers in there, especially ones that want to be union. 

User Stats

18
Posts
7
Votes
James Konvalinka
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Milwaukee, WI
7
Votes |
18
Posts
James Konvalinka
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Milwaukee, WI
Replied Mar 23 2022, 09:11
Quote from @Malcomb Stapel:

@James Konvalinka  it sounds like your already on the right track contacting HVAC contractors. My only advice would be get quotes from several of the big name contractors in your area. This might seem counterintuitive but I've found them much easier to deal with, at least in my market. I'm talking about the kind of places that have big parking lots, with fences around them, and fleets of service trucks. They also generally have a reputation to uphold, and are getting some of the best workers in there, especially ones that want to be union. 

Thanks Malcomb! I will definitely keep that in mind when reaching out to vendors to get some more info on this!

Thanks for the input!!

User Stats

29
Posts
11
Votes
William P.
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Butler, PA
11
Votes |
29
Posts
William P.
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Butler, PA
Replied Feb 28 2023, 15:10
Quote from @James Konvalinka:
Quote from @Malcomb Stapel:

@James Konvalinka  it sounds like your already on the right track contacting HVAC contractors. My only advice would be get quotes from several of the big name contractors in your area. This might seem counterintuitive but I've found them much easier to deal with, at least in my market. I'm talking about the kind of places that have big parking lots, with fences around them, and fleets of service trucks. They also generally have a reputation to uphold, and are getting some of the best workers in there, especially ones that want to be union. 

Thanks Malcomb! I will definitely keep that in mind when reaching out to vendors to get some more info on this!

Thanks for the input!!



@James Konvalinka

 Hey James! Any updates on how this went and updated costs? There seems to be no newer threads about gravity/octopus furnaces. Looking at a place this Saturday that I believe has one.

User Stats

9
Posts
5
Votes
Replied Mar 13 2023, 22:38

For whatever it is worth. I have a guy who is great at maintaining these old units and the ancient boiler systems. Hit me up if you want his info.