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Swicthing from Kerosene to Gas central heating

  • 31-05-2011 07:13PM
    #1
    Kileir
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 67 ✭✭


    Hi All,

    Just looking for advice from anyone who has made the switch from kerosene to Natural gas central heating. I have an appointment arranged with the board gais rep later in the month to get a quotation on connecting to the gas network. What kind of costs were involved?

    Assuming the price isn't prohibitive I would be replacing a Gerkros Superior 95 with a gas boiler - nothing fancy just looking for ideas on an inexpensive gas boiler which would plum up to the existing pipework without much alteration.

    Also, what are the options for bringing the gas connection from the outside wall across the floor to the boiler? Im assuming a duct set into the floor inside which the gas line would pass through. What do they normally use to carry the gas from the meter to the appliance - copper?

    thanks in advance,
    Tagged:


Comments

  • #2
    Access
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,359 ✭✭✭Access


    personally, unless your oil boiler is on its last legs, waiting to be replaced, i would say you are mad!

    We were in your shoes last winter, investigating if it would be worth swapping, but the big block that stopped us, is the fact that once you go to gas, you are locked into the gas price and you are stuck.

    With kerosene, you can just throw in a 5 gallon drum into the tank if funds are low instead of a fill up, or even swap over to diesel (once the injector nozzle size has been changed) if the price of diesel ever dropped below the price of kerosene.

    Kerosene suppliers vary in price too as long as you do your research. Im happy we didnt change.

    Just my view... and to be honest, you need to factor in the total cost of swapping over to gas too.


  • #3
    yoshytoshy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,305 ✭✭✭yoshytoshy


    Im working on a job at the moment just like yours ,the people are delighted all the oil equipment will be gone.

    Theres several ways of running gas pipes ,get a few quotes from installers. You dont need board gais to install the boiler and you can organise the new meter yourself.
    You wont regret it.


  • #4
    DoneDL
    Closed Accounts Posts: 902 ✭✭✭DoneDL


    Gas is a cheaper fuel than oil and this coupled with with the fact that gas boilers modulate makes it the better of the two. Get a local Installer in to quote for new gas supply.


  • #5
    glic83
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,531 ✭✭✭glic83


    factor in the cost of gas per year and how much your spending on oil at the minute and whatever the difference is say ie 500 euro per year between gas and oil.Lets say it cost 3500 to change over to natural gas then your looking at a pay back time of 7 years is it really worth it?these are just rough prices,you would need to get exact quotations to get the correct cost,you could put in a condensng oil burner to get better fuel efficiency


  • #6
    .243
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,297 ✭✭✭.243


    plus its all too easy just to keep hitting the turn on button for heating etc till the bill comes in,
    as for the oil you know how much you have and roughly how much itll last you,so you can factor it into your weekly budget when its time to get a fill or a top up,
    once you go to gas there aint no turning back(well there is but ill probably cost you an arm and a leg to change back) ,
    if its not broke dont fix it.


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  • #7
    horse7
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,954 ✭✭✭horse7


    i think the new oil boilers/burners are as efficient as the gas ones now.


  • #8
    glic83
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,531 ✭✭✭glic83


    the main difference is that you can get modulating gad boilers but oil boilers cant do this afaik


  • #9
    JohnnieK
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,526 ✭✭✭JohnnieK


    Anyone I've ever changed from oil to gas would never go back according to them. They are saving hundreds per year and have the heating on for longer (according to them). It is cheaper over all.

    One thing I will say about an oil boiler installation is, when the gas and oil run out it will be easier to convert the boiler for bio fuel.


  • #10
    glic83
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,531 ✭✭✭glic83


    JohnnieK wrote: »
    Anyone I've ever changed from oil to gas would never go back according to them. They are saving hundreds per year and have the heating on for longer (according to them). It is cheaper over all.

    One thing I will say about an oil boiler installation is, when the gas and oil run out it will be easier to convert the boiler for bio fuel.

    no doubt about it gas is cheaper,its just a payback of about 5 years maybe more,maybe less but roughly thats the problem when changing over the inital cost and the payback time


  • #11
    yoshytoshy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,305 ✭✭✭yoshytoshy


    glic83 wrote: »
    no doubt about it gas is cheaper,its just a payback of about 5 years maybe more,maybe less but roughly thats the problem when changing over the inital cost and the payback time

    Most people change their oil boiler to gas ,because they have to change their boiler anyway. So theres always an expense going to be there really.


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  • #12
    heinbloed
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,632 ✭✭✭heinbloed


    Glic83 wrote:
    the main difference is that you can get modulating gad boilers but oil boilers cant do this afaik

    This isn't correct. Modulating oil boilers do so as well.

    See the only link provided here in posting no. 14:



    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056288950


  • #13
    Solair
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,227 ✭✭✭Solair


    You can always just add a gas boiler to an existing installation and keep the oil boiler in place.

    Then just use which ever's cheapest at any given time.


  • #14
    glic83
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,531 ✭✭✭glic83


    heinbloed wrote: »
    Glic83 wrote:



    This isn't correct. Modulating oil boilers do so as well.

    See the only link provided here in posting no. 14:



    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056288950

    good to know had a look at the link,seems to be a nice boiler only seems to be available in a few countries in europe though,would be great to see these boilers used in Ireland ,have firebird or grant any modulating oil boilers?


  • #15
    heinbloed
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,632 ✭✭✭heinbloed


    Glik83 asks:
    good to know had a look at the link,seems to be a nice boiler only seems to be available in a few countries in europe though,would be great to see these boilers used in Ireland ,have firebird or grant any modulating oil boilers?

    Have you contacted them?

    Riello modulating oil burners ( http://www.rielloburners.co.uk/index.php?section=98&simple=go&type=newsEvent&id=454) are available since a while, Firebird is a small 'back outlet' group of Riello. The larger outlets sell the large modulating ones.

    Any existing (oil-) boiler can be turned into a modulating boiler. But it needs a proper engineer to do that. Don't try the DIY aproach, adding relaises and see what happens ...you'll risk your life.
    A knowledge of electronics and combustion technology would be necessarry.

    The technical question is if a stepless or stepwise modulation is wanted.
    If in doubt - as carefull bog installer would be- see what existing heating system allows for. Maybe a cascade would do?

    About the OP's question:

    The OP hasn't told us why the Gerkros boiler needs to be changed. Maybe a heating engineer could repair it ? And what power is demanded, kW ?

    The question
    Also, what are the options for bringing the gas connection from the outside wall across the floor to the boiler? Im assuming a duct set into the floor inside which the gas line would pass through. What do they normally use to carry the gas from the meter to the appliance - copper?

    wasn't answered. No engineers here?

    My amateur's contribution to the solution:

    Copper can be used provided it's suitable but LPG and copper won't be correct. But with natural gas (methane) it should be correct. A gas fitter would be the right person to advise on the outlay.

    Furtheron the OP has shown interest in "nothing special" , looking for a replacement boiler. And no alarm clocks ringing with our specialists?


  • #16
    Billy Bunting
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,842 ✭✭✭Billy Bunting


    heinbloed wrote: »
    Glik83 asks:



    Have you contacted them?

    .

    Give over!!! who do you suggest he contact? Riello’s Commercial and Industrial Sales Director Bernard Dawson.:rolleyes:


  • #17
    heinbloed
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,632 ✭✭✭heinbloed


    Firebird? Grant?


  • #18
    heinbloed
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,632 ✭✭✭heinbloed


    Aren't most modern oil burners modulating, incl. the common brands?

    See

    http://www.londonheatingservices.co.uk/boiler/Firebird-Systempac-C20--Condensing-Oil-Conventional-Regular-Boiler.asp

    Never heard of? Never thought of? Never read the manual?


  • #19
    Billy Bunting
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,842 ✭✭✭Billy Bunting


    And the local Oftec engineer will commission it for him, after all it is "standard", any engineer will do, get real !!


  • #20
    heinbloed
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,632 ✭✭✭heinbloed


    Is your last posting referring to anything particular, Billy Bunting?


  • #21
    JohnnieK
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,526 ✭✭✭JohnnieK


    Kileir wrote: »
    Hi All,

    Also, what are the options for bringing the gas connection from the outside wall across the floor to the boiler? Im assuming a duct set into the floor inside which the gas line would pass through. What do they normally use to carry the gas from the meter to the appliance

    Is the pipe to be run in an existing concrete floor or under a garden to the premises. A lot of nit picking and bitching has started on this thread so some more information is needed before any "engineer's" can give advice:)


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  • #22
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 3,858 ✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    heinbloed wrote: »
    Aren't most modern oil burners modulating, incl. the common brands?

    See

    http://www.londonheatingservices.co.uk/boiler/Firebird-Systempac-C20--Condensing-Oil-Conventional-Regular-Boiler.asp

    Never heard of? Never thought of? Never read the manual?

    :pac: you do make me laugh:D

    How many modulating oil boilers have you seen and how have you converted one from fixed to modulating?


  • #23
    REXER
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 458 ✭✭REXER


    For me the natural gas network is a rip-off as there is a bi-monthly standing charge of 60 euros. :mad: This was a few years ago, and I don't know what it is now.
    Add that up for the year and that almost covers what I spend for my oil heating! Oil all the way.


  • #24
    heinbloed
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,632 ✭✭✭heinbloed


    Here a link to Bord Gais:

    http://www.bordgais.ie/networks/index.jsp?p=102&n=116

    and from there further to here:

    http://www.bordgais.ie/networks/media/Booklet_2Guidelinesfordesingersbuildersandheatinstallers1.pdf

    (concerning under floor installation and pipe material)


  • #25
    Access
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,359 ✭✭✭Access


    once you are on gas... youre locked in unless you go back to oil. there is only a few gas suppliers to choose from and hardly any difference in pricing between them.

    And to top that all off.... on the news this morning, bord Gais putting up prices this winter.

    Oil all the way baby!


  • #26
    JohnnieK
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,526 ✭✭✭JohnnieK


    Access wrote: »
    once you are on gas... youre locked in unless you go back to oil. there is only a few gas suppliers to choose from and hardly any difference in pricing between them.

    And to top that all off.... on the news this morning, bord Gais putting up prices this winter.

    Oil all the way baby!

    I have a feeling oil is notgoing to stay where it is at the moment too. :(


  • #27
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 3,858 ✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    JohnnieK wrote: »
    I have a feeling oil is notgoing to stay where it is at the moment too. :(

    Certainly didn't when the basturds emptied a full tank on me:mad:


  • #28
    Walterz
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3 ✭Walterz


    Sorry for joining-in rather late, but I'm also thinking of replacing the oil central heating for a gas one in the house we may buy. Thank you for providing me with some idea of the cost (below 5,000Euro I understand from this discussion) and considerations to make.

    The main reason why I want to replace it though is not so much the costs. It is that gas has less carcinogenic smoke than oil/diesel/kerosene, for ourselves and for our neighbors. I know it also has its own risks (explosions) but it's more user-friendly (no need to stay home for refills) and just so much cleaner.

    Also, it frees scarce space in the tiny garden by removing the oil tank.
    I wanted to plant an apple tree there instead - can someone tell me if that's a good idea considering that the soil may be spoiled with oil?


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