Oil to gas conversion -- UPDATED

bingobangobongo

No idea when boiler serviced, nothing written on it.

Also, when heating is on there is a funny smell coming from the radiators, like burnt plastic, or burning rubber. Is this normal in an oil home??

Old_Git

bingobangobongo wrote: »

No idea when boiler serviced, nothing written on it.

Also, when heating is on there is a funny smell coming from the radiators, like burnt plastic, or burning rubber. Is this normal in an oil home??

the smell is not normal ,however I did have a smell like that in one room .I got the boiler serviced after that .

bingo_bango

Sounds like they have been painted at some point (the radiators that is) with gloss paint or something just as inappropriate. Other than stripping them there is no easy way to get around this.

jtk174

Put a mark on the stick you used to dip the tank. Use the heating for a day and dip it again, so that you can see how much was used in a day.
Also, most plastic tanks seem to be round in shape, so the dipstick measuring method may not be very accurate.

Be aware that the outlet from the tank is set above the base of the tank, so your dipstick will still show oil in the tank, but it won't be coming out of the outlet. Some people will tip the tank from the rear to get the remaining oil out. Any debris in the tank will also get washed out!
Some tanks will have a small filter fitted at the outlet, to trap dirt before it gets to the pump. However,I have never known anyone to change it!

gerdo

Quick update on the conversion.

Phoenix gas have installed the gas box this week and just have to come back and fill in the holes. I must say they have been very efficient and have done a very neat job, only problem was they arrived at 07.20 and their JCB was digging up the footpath at 07.30 !!!

Building control --- I was aware that building control is required when changing the heating system, £72 ok I can live with that. However what I didnt know was that if you are getting a gas cooker installed, you also need building control. So, although we are getting both done at the same time, building control are insisting that we pay the £72 charge twice, so even though they can do both inspections in the one visit, I still have to pay £144 !!!

My plumber is coming in 3 weeks time to install the boiler etc so I will update again when that is done.

Possom

Would anyone here care to recommend a Gas Safe registered fitter who could potentially provide a competitive quote for an oil-to-gas conversion?

wacko911

We spend about 400 pound a year on oil (if even). Lets say gas is 25% cheaper, i know firmus will say 30% but thats likely bs for someone with a 20 year old boiler, im prolly streching it at 25%.

Thats a 100 quid year saving... 2000-3000 quid for a conversion - thats 20 to 30 year payback.

In which time when you add up the additional costs servicing with a gas safe registered installer im not really seeing the point.

Also i can choose from 20-30 different oil suppliers albeit with not that much difference in price between them, if I choose gas... am I am stuck with just 1, who at the drop of a hat can hike prices (and have done) by huge percentages?

What am I missing?

Oh and i forgot, if i took the 3 grand and stuck it in an isa and managed to average 3% then thats £90 a year so no saving at all.

Ticked

Full agreement with Whacko911, we are in almost the same boat. Although we have gas in the house, it only runs the gas fire and the tumble drier, it would not be cost effective to go fully gas. Our oil costs are around £700 per year so our payback time might be shorter, but it's still into lots of years. BTW, the gas tumble drier is superb, much quicker than the electric one it replaced and a LOT cheaper to run. Still searching for a gas TV.......

alexsewell

why not get out of the norm of heating with oil or gas

try wood pellets or solid fuel boilers

Possom

Why are there different Phoenix Gas meter boxes? I'd have assumed they'd just have a standard meter box.

http://www.phoenixnaturalgas.com/get-connected/choosing-your-meter-box/

It mentions medium or low pressure, what does this relate to?