Baltimore, MD · Member since 2013 · 78 posts · 8 votes
Greetings BP members,
I'm looking to buy-and-hold a rental property (duplex) that has oil heat. However, if I decide to buy it, I plan to convert it to natural gas since there is already a gas line into the property (i.e. there's a gas stove in each unit) and natural gas is cheaper for the tenant. Is this conversion risky or costly? Has anyone made this conversion for a rental? Just want to get some feedback on this. Thanks in advance.
Rental Property Investor · State College, PA · Member since 2013 · 287 posts · 99 votes
12y
I install these type of systems. We always say "A BTU is a BTU". Assuming it's a hotwater system, you can install one of those tankless water heaters so long as they have enough BTUs for each duplex. Bosch, Navian, Takagi and State each make these type of heating units.
A few questions pop into my head with a conversion like this:
1) Is each heating system separate by unit?
2) Are you able to vent through-wall?
3) Is the existing gas line large enough to handle the increase in BTUs
Definitely worth getting an estimate though. Good luck.
Wholesaler · Holiday, FL · Member since 2013 · 571 posts · 221 votes
12y
It's pretty easy and I couldn't do it fast enough. Having oil on-site is an ever increasingly risky liability. The easiest way is to replace the existing oil fired appliance with a gas fired heating unit which is rated at a 92% or higher efficiency as that will sidewall vent through PVC pipe. This will avoid the existing chimney hassle. A less expensive way is to have a gas conversion gun installed in place of the existing oil gun.
Real Estate Investor · Audubon, PA · Member since 2009 · 13k+ posts · 8k+ votes
12y
@Eric Johnson and @Account Closed - with a gas line already present in the property, you remove the expense of digging up the street to tap into the gas main and then running the gas line to the house.
There are a number of other factors that will impact the cost of a conversion, especially when more than one unit where the intent is to have each unit pay its own heat. The type of system (boiler with radiators or furnace with forced air). The age of system (might be worth salvaging something relatively new with a gas gun or might be better to completely replace something really old).
Rental Property Investor · State College, PA · Member since 2013 · 287 posts · 99 votes
12y
I install these type of systems. We always say "A BTU is a BTU". Assuming it's a hotwater system, you can install one of those tankless water heaters so long as they have enough BTUs for each duplex. Bosch, Navian, Takagi and State each make these type of heating units.
A few questions pop into my head with a conversion like this:
1) Is each heating system separate by unit?
2) Are you able to vent through-wall?
3) Is the existing gas line large enough to handle the increase in BTUs
Definitely worth getting an estimate though. Good luck.
Real Estate Investor · Audubon, PA · Member since 2009 · 13k+ posts · 8k+ votes
12y
Before thinking you can use a tankless gas water heater, read this and check with your gas utility company to confirm your gas main can support the supply demands of a tankless unit: