Rental Property Investor · NJ · Member since 2020 · 60 posts · 16 votes
I am getting estimates on replacing a old oil boiler with a new gas boiler to heat the rental house. House is 1000 square feet with baseboards. Have gotten estimates $11,000 to replace with a gas high efficiency boiler. I'm thinking maybe cast iron boiler would be less expensive and simpler to maintain? Any feedback. The house was built in 1964 and has 3 br, 2 bath sfam det in north jersey.
Know gas is big on the East coast. You might take a look at using a electrical "Split" system since the house is only 1,000 square feet. Especially if just one level. Check in your climate first though, with an HVAC person.
Compare your operating costs. Gas versus electric; system to system.
Know gas is big on the East coast. You might take a look at using a electrical "Split" system since the house is only 1,000 square feet. Especially if just one level. Check in your climate first though, with an HVAC person.
Compare your operating costs. Gas versus electric; system to system.
$11K for a boiler swap? In NEPA (Scranton area) we've used licensed plumbers to install new gas boilers (either steam or hot water w circulating pump) for far less. Certainly $2 to $4K cheaper. It sounds like the plumber is so busy they can "cherry pick". Keep looking.
BTW, I agree w @Mark Berge on the mini-splits--check them out.
In the SW, the 'typical' HVAC system is a gas Forced Air Unit for heat with an electric condenser for cooling. Are they not popular elsewhere for some reason. I agree about the mini-splits, the ultimate yet priciest solution...
In the SW, the 'typical' HVAC system is a gas Forced Air Unit for heat with an electric condenser for cooling. Are they not popular elsewhere for some reason. I agree about the mini-splits, the ultimate yet priciest solution...
Gas forced air furnace with a straight AC system is common all over the USA. Lots of them here in Georgia too even though many people use the heat pumps which are all electric. They do use the swamp coolers in the SW which aren't very effective in the more humid parts of the country.
Sorry, the $11k estimate was for a high efficiency combo boiler. That was for heating and hot water. The latest quote from the same plumber was $9691 for a 105K BTU Hydronic Boiler- cast iron.
This is an older house. I have already spent $40k on repairs and to go with forced air is not in the budget. Heat pumps, I don't have experience with them. I am trying to find another fixer upper rental house so am saving my dp money for the next deal. I have a great tenant in place who pays on time and takes care of the place.
Go to the old boiler and take a picture of the old system and the plate on the boiler itself. The one with the manufacturer, model #, serial # etc. Then call the local burnham or any boiler rep, or supply house and ask them to cross reference your boiler with an equivalent replacement gas boiler. Ask them if they could give you a couple names of different smaller shops that do quality work. That will get you the best price to replace your boiler, short of having a relative or friend plumber.
Maybe you end up going with the combo unit, maybe you go with a side arm on the boiler? Either way you will have quality work, and an appropriate and cost effective solution.
I would definitely go with a boiler and a stainless steel sidearm over a combination unit myself. You eliminate the water heater and the expense of replacing it for the next 20+ years. There are many other reasons.
I actually can't think of what benefits the combo unit would have over the cast iron boiler with a side arm, in this instance. Unless you are short on space. Then the combo unit might make the most sense.