Converting Property From Oil to Natural Gas

[Eric Johnson]

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.

Eric

[Liam Goble]

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.