Heating Help

Is this small commercial system suitable for gas conversion?

Have a Burnahm V905 from 1997.  It's using a nozzle rated at 3.75GPH and uses about 3500 gallons annually.  Gas enters from the steet with about a 4" pipe, there are 8 residential units. 

Would conversion be a good thing to do financially, and if so which gas burner or combination gas/oil burner is recommended? 

Will gas work as well as the oil has?  It's set to 2PSI and works amazingly well. 

Are there any caveats we should be aware of?

Is the burner

Dual fuel?

If so, should be fine, in capable hands. The boiler listed NG rating right on it.

If not, it may be more cost effective to install a new boiler, but I would research both options to be sure.

As long as you have the correct firing rate with natural gas, the heat capacity will be the same.

response

It's not a dual fuel burner.  It has a Becket CF800 oil burner.

I don't know if it's worthwhile upgrading the burner, installing a gas burner, installing a dual burner or as suggested maybe scrapping the system for a new one.  Or if it's best just to keep feeding it oil as is.

Just looking for some recommendations from unbiased, experienced folks.

Go for it

you should be able to get the gas burner from Burnham. A wet-base, power-burner setup like this will be more efficient than an atmospheric. 

I didn't

Realize this was for an apartment.

Steamhead is right. A power burner is more efficient.

Natural gas power burners are about 85% efficient, compared to 80% of typical atmospheric. (that 5% of of fuel savings will be appreciated over the long run)

1997 boiler, should be new enough for the burner upgrade.

And

you might be able to get a low-high-low gas burner, which if set up properly will run more efficiently. 

Which?

Which brand/model gas burner would you suggest? 

This is for a Burnham V905 that works well with an oil nozzle rated 3.75GPH.

What oil pressure is used?

Burnham typically uses higher pressure on these, typically 140-150 PSI, so it would be burning more than 3.75 GPH if this is true on yours.

As for gas burners, I think they use some PowerFlame units, as well as Beckett and Carlin.

I like

the powerflame burner on those. Run's well if set up properly. Make sure to get the module. It helps with any trouble shooting if you have any problems down the road...I would suggest you get a tech in to inspect the entire system prior to making any purchases. they can search for any code issue's that could arise...

Which one?

Burnham's spec sheet shows there are two Powerflame models, C1G-105S and JR30A-12, to choose from.  Beckett's CG10-5S is also listed.

On paper, these all look the same to me.  Which one's preferabe, or should we be looking at another model?

Will it be necessary to make changes to the chimney?  It's four stories, clay tile lined.

Either of the PowerFlame units

would be my choice. The J series is more compact, but if it's not available with low-high-low I'd go with the C, which probably is.

Also, the original V-9 series boilers had lower firing rates than the current V-9A series. Make sure you're looking at the right specs.

Have a licensed chimney specialist evaluate the chimney, and follow their recommendations.

If the chimney

can handle an oil burner, it will handle a gas burner.

Call Burnham, and ask what they recommend for the application.

I would be looking to see if one of the burners is available as 2 stage.

Personally I am a Powerflame fan.