new furnace

[lbowker1]

I was told by my furnace maintenance man that the coil (plate) o the from of my hot water oil furnace has coroded I it was really visible when I looked at it with him. The house is 19 years old. Natural gas will be coming to this part of Maine in the next few years, but I don't believe I can wait that long. I had to replace it after about 10 years, & at that time they had to use a little bit larger bolts to anchor it. The man said that he may be able to replace it again, but he won't know until he gets it apart. If he finds he can't fix it I will have to have a new furnace.
From what I can learn, gas is cleaner & cheaper than oil. I live in central Mine & our winters can be extremely cold. I use a propane wall furnace to heat my main floor which cost me about 457,00 per year. The cost of oil for the lower level & hot water is close to 3,000.00. I do realize that I have residual heat rising from the lower level, but it is still much cheaper per cubic foot.
My question is, if I have to get a furnace now & have one installed, if/when natural gas comes to my area, can it be converted relatively cheaply?
Thanks, Wezi

 

[philjafo]

If you have to replace the boiler there are some oil fired ones that can be converted. A better way to go since you already have access to propane, install a propane boiler. Converting from propane to natural gas is way cheaper and easier then going from oil to natural gas.

 

[sr1030nx]

If you buy a forced air furnace, it is relatively easy to switch between natural gas and propane. It it involves switching an orifice that the fuel goes through and adjusting the gas pressure, doesn't take very long.

 

[bd8134]

If it works for you, there is a difference between furnace and boilers, have a look at the new generation of wood pellet boilers.
http://www.maineenergysystems.com/
This one is in Maine. Older units required weekly cleanly, these are ~ 2 or 3 times a year and very efficent.
MA has a great grant program to encourage their use. I have put in my application for one of these units being discussed. http://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/considering-a-windhager-pellet-boiler.106644/

 

[GYPSY400]

If you buy a forced air furnace, it is relatively easy to switch between natural gas and propane. It it involves switching an orifice that the fuel goes through and adjusting the gas pressure, doesn't take very long.

X2^^

 

[ADKGarage]

I'm considering a propane forced hot air system for my garage. My questions are where can I buy the heater and a 1000 gal propane tank without loosing my shirt.

 

[James-W]

I'm considering a propane forced hot air system for my garage. My questions are where can I buy the heater and a 1000 gal propane tank without loosing my shirt.

Around here you can get a tank to use for free as long as you buy the propane from that company. I have no idea whether that option is available from your local propane distributors, but it certainly would be worth looking into.

 

[ADKGarage]

My local propane supplier will rent me a 100 lbs tank for $100/year. aSKED ABOUT A 1000 PONDER BUT THEY SAID THEY ONLY go up to 250 gallon tanks and will rent them too for $150-200 / year. I'll just buy my own tank(s). So I would prefer to find a 1000pounder and enjoy the savings for several years at a clip.