Natural gas is an efficient fuel for heating buildings, heating the water in buildings, for cooking, as well as for use with the full range of gas appliances. It is also cheaper than other types of fuel. More importantly, natural gas releases a lot less CO2than other fossil fuels – up to 50% less than coal and between 20% and 30% less than oil.
NY Engineers is licensed to do oil to gas boiler conversions and our experienced engineers are ready to provide more information about the conversion process.
Natural gas is an efficient fuel for heating buildings, heating the water in buildings, for cooking, as well as for use with the full range of gas appliances. It is also cheaper than other types of fuel. More importantly, natural gas releases a lot less CO2than other fossil fuels – up to 50% less than coal and between 20% and 30% less than oil.
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), of all the fossil fuels, natural gas and natural gas plant liquids (NGPL) have the highest projected production growth for the outlook period, 2019-2050. Additionally, natural gas-fired electricity generation has increased in the past decade, with the use of less economic coal and nuclear plants decreasing substantially. In 2018, natural gas was used more than any other fuel source to generate electricity.
This in spite of the fact that in February 2018 the EIA forecast that “clean energy,” specifically wind and solar power, would dominate the market for “new power capacity.”
One significant result of this situation is that an increasing number of property owners are opting to convert from oil to natural gas for their energy needs, heating in particular.
While it is undoubtedly essential to eradicate, or at very least minimize the use of all fossil fuels because of their harmful emissions, the reality is that more than 80% of global energy needs are currently being met with fossil fuels.
Ironically, fossil fuels also remain the largest sources of energy for the generation of electricity. According to the EIA, in 2018:
Emissions-free renewable energy sources accounted for less than 20% of the electricity generated in the U.S. during 2018, with:
Another reality is that until there are viable options financially, people will continue to convert from oil to cheaper, less harmful gas.
Millions of Americans have embraced the decarbonized energy challenge – not just individuals but policymakers and utility companies too. The Governor of New York Andrew Cuomo has taken a particularly strong line, and he’s doing everything possible to achieve zero emissions by 2040, or even sooner. One controversial step he took early 2019 was to deny permits for three new gas pipelines and ban the hydraulic fracturing that would potentially produce new supplies of relatively cheap natural gas.
Cuomo’s decision resulted in a moratorium from Con Edison in Westchester, the utility company providing natural gas to customers in that part of New York State. But then, both Con Edison and National Grid, which supplies gas to other parts of New York City as well as Massachusetts and Rhode Island, have been warning that they weren’t going to be able to supply natural gas to new customers if new pipelines weren’t built.
It’s a major dilemma!
Dean Seavers, president of National Grid since December 2014 shares a clearer picture in The Democratization of Energy: Climate Change, Renewables and Advancing the American Dream published in January 2017.
Seavers believes that a very basic common-sense approach that is based on reality is what New York (and probably the rest of the world) needs. He sees the answer in “renewable energy, energy efficiency and demand reduction, increased natural gas supplies, and electric transmission to connect us to remote resources.”
In 2017, National Grid invested $100 million in Sunrun, the largest residential solar company in the U.S. But, at the same time, Seavers says the company will continue with oil to gas boiler conversions because this, in itself, decreases heating emissions for homes and businesses. This strategy has also been designed to ensure that significant emissions will be eliminated from the supply chain without causing economic disruption in local communities.
While the benefits of natural gas boilers vs oil boilers are substantial, it isn’t always the best decision to make. You might not even be able to make the switch right now. Additionally, the still increasing demand for natural gas boilers has impacted on the infrastructure of many cities and states and not all can keep pace.
These are some of the questions you should consider while evaluating whether to convert from an oil-burning boiler to a gas boiler:
will undertake the full evaluation for you.
A licensed professional will estimate the costs involved to convert from an oil to a natural gas boiler. This estimate should include not only the costs involved in installing the new gas boiler but also how long it is likely to take to recoup these costs.
If it is feasible for you to opt for an oil to gas boiler conversion, you can have your licensed professional submit a gas service request to the local utility company.
The type of building concerned will obviously play a role both in terms of time the conversion will take, in terms of cost, and in terms of the timing relating to the removal of the current source of heating. For instance, if the owner of a building has tenants and removes the existing heat source before he is able to supply a new heat source, this could result in a fine from the municipality.
Generally, it is best to maintain the existing heat source until the new gas boiler and gas meter have been installed. But the old oil tank will have to be removed.
NY Engineers is licensed to do oil to gas boiler conversions and our experienced engineers are ready to provide more information about the conversion process.
