cost of converting Oil furnace to gas?

Question

Has anyone did this in the past if so how was your experience? I have a rental 3br row home that currently has oil heating. Im looking into changing it to central air but I just read about converting it to gas. The water heater right next to it is already gas. The oil furnace is only about 6 years old and is in good condition.

Any advice would appreciative.

Steve Babiak · Answer

If you have a boiler (radiators), then this is very doable, especially since you mention that the system is only a few years old.  I agree that heating oil is far more trouble in rentals than gas heat.  The fact that there is already some gas appliance in there means you don't even need to bring the gas line in from the street; you just have to extend from where it already exists.

Look up "Midco Economite" - that is what I had installed in a boiler conversion last year; much more affordable than a new boiler.  The price for this depends on how much capacity the "gun" needs to have, but I would venture under $1500 for an initial "not to exceed" cost.  That would leave the same radiators in place of course.  If you are looking to have a central heating AND central air, then you are looking at something completely different.

Jon Holdman · Answer

I've serviced numerous gas furnaces (these are so simple its funny) and have installed oil furnaces.  They're just different sorts of beasts.  But even if your boiler could be converted to gas, it doesn't help a bit with AC.  AC would have to be an entirely separate system, if you keep the boiler heat.

You might look into "mini split" systems for the AC.  These would avoid the ducts needed for central and would also avoid the ugliness of window units.  No idea how cost effective or reliable these are.

Adam K. · Answer

Did you read this part from the link that you attached? "Converting your existing oil-burning furnace or boiler to natural gas is likely to be expensive. At a minimum you will need to replace the burner, and many older models simply can't be upgraded."

You mentioned radiators. So you don't have a furnace. You have a boiler. So you have a couple of options here.

Option 1) Is to keep your radiators and install a gas boiler. 
Option 2) Is to overhaul your entire system and go with a gas furnace. In my opinion the only reason to do this is if you want central A/C or if your existing system is going to fail soon.

The cost impact is going to depend on the layout of your house. For example if its multi-story going from radiators to forced air is going to be big bucks. You'll either need ducts up to the 2nd floor in chases or two separate furnaces (one in the attic and one in the basement).  If its one level and you can run ducts in the basement it will be much more affordable.

Are your radiators steam or hot water? If steam then its an older less efficient system and that might point towards a major system overhaul. If you have hot water then it is probably a more modern system and you might want to go with a new boiler and keep the forced water system.

Since you have natural gas already piped into the home it is almost certainly going to have a good payback to convert from oil to gas.

If you really want A/C you still might be better off with a gas boiler and mini-splits for A/C.

Mike Kooser Sr · Answer

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Cost_of_converting_oil_burner_to_gas_burner

Eric Johnson · Answer

@Mike Kooser Sr - did you ever make the oil to natural gas conversion?  If so, how did it go?  I just bought a property and I'm looking to do this myself.  The property as an oil burner and I'm looking to replace the oil burner with a natural gas burner.  The water heater is gas so I already have gas coming into the property.

Thanks in advance,

Eric V Johnson

Steve Babiak · Answer

Depending on the setback of the house and where the gas line is in the street, in my area it costs between $1100 up to over $2K to get the gas line to the house and get the gas meter set - and nothing else.  You still end up having to repair any sidewalk damage.  You still have to run the line within the house and through the foundation wall.

Back in time (like the 1960s) when the gas lines went in brand new, the utility company did pay to run lines into the houses in that area - but no longer, since they have to excavate the street, and deal with the permit process for this.

If the gas main does not reach the house, in may area it is between $100 and $125 per linear foot of gas main to extend the main.  That is what gets really expensive.

Kyle Hipp · Answer

I had an oil furnace in a rental and had to run a natural gas line into the house when I replaced the oil furnace with the new energy efficient natural gas furnace. This was all forced air so different than a boiler. As for the cost of funning the natural gas line to the house. That cost was covered by the utility company. They are getting a new customer as long as the house stands so it is a great deal for them...I imagine a lot of places operate the same way.

Mike Kooser Sr · Answer

That's exactly why I was looking Into it because the system is daily new and gas is literally right next to it. I think the bulk of the cost I keep reading about is when people have to pay to have ran into their home.  I really appreciate the post ! Thanks

Mike Kooser Sr · Answer

Yes Jon I understand my first thought is to get it away from off oil because of the cost to the tenant.  Most people dont mind AC window units around here but central air would just be an added bonus for a good tenant who I dont have problems with down the road.

Ill look into the mini split, I never heard of that before.

But for now Im just worried about finding out a price on how much the conversion from oil to gas would be.

Thanks for your input though :)

Mike Kooser Sr · Answer

Thank You for the input, Im new at this that's why I posted this.  I'm not sure if the radiators are hot water or steam I can check today when Im over there.  I guess I should start inquires about gas boilers then.  Im going to have a couple local contractors come out and take a look but I wanted to see what others thought.

The house is a 2 story row home w/o and attic.  The boiler is in the basement.  Im going to start looking to gas boilers pricing then maybe down the road look into central air.  I know that is going to cost a lot because there going to be at least 4-5 ducts ran to the upstairs.

cost of converting Oil furnace to gas?

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