Print

[DaveWertz]

Well fellas I have been tossing around the idea of switching to natural gas. With the new Panda Patriot Gas power plant damn near up and running there are gas lines galore running in front of my home. Makes more sense since I will be remodeling my house inside and out, going to be switching the burner on my Anderson oil boiler to gas. I guess my question is what is a good price to ask for my good condition H4? Its a 2005 model with shaker grates. I will sell both pumps which are fairly new and about 150ft of insulated pex. Im gonna miss the ole girl but living in PA gas is EVERYWHERE... Not to mention ill be giving away my massive wood pile. 20x20 and about 7ft high of untreated rail road tie ends and a good deal on my dump truck.

[mlappin]

We have nat gas at the farm, still cheaper to heat with wood. But we farm almost 1400 acres and always have fencerows that need cleaned or dead trees in em that need cut up. Not to mention still cutting dead ash out of the woods, would be a sin to just leave em to rot.

[CountryBoyJohn]

I love cutting wood and burning wood.  That being said, if I had natural gas, I probably would make the switch.  Yes, wood is cheaper, but the cost/benefit ratio is higher with gas.  The benefit in reduction in cutting, splitting, stacking, etc., is not worth the smaller price difference in natural gas.  Good luck with your renovation.  I'd think you could get $2,000-$4,000 out of an 11 year old Hardy.  Kinda hard telling with the new market.  Used conventional stoves are probably worth a lot more now that you can't buy them new anymore. 

[RSI]

Why wouldn't you use up the wood before getting rid of the OWB?

[schoppy]

I agree with RSI, unless you can sell the wood for a decent price I would burn it up first.

Have you been given an estimate to convert your oil boiler? Make sure conversion parts are available as many manufacturers no longer stock conversion kits for older units. Also be aware that you are looking at somewhere between 60 and 70% efficiency on older boilers, sometimes even less. Last I checked our gas prices here were around $.80/therm and then a service charge of around $9.00/month. I work for a gas and electric utility and have been converting equipment to natural gas for over 30 years. Good clean fuel just be well informed before making the switch. Good luck.

[DaveWertz]

I have contacted a few boiler techs about switching from oil to gas, they do carry the parts I need to make the swtch. I will only be using the older boiler for maybe a yr or two until I can get something a little more efficient. As far as the wood goes I pick up a load for $12 a dump truck load. My dump truck has a 12ft bed so I make out well. No cutting no stacking. I basically want the wood pile gone so I can do what I want with that small pc of yard. I am completely redoing my home. Inside and out even parts of my property will be getting a makeover. I travel allot, that being said I always have to have somebody come maintain my stove in the winter months and its a PITA. Im not to worried about spending a few extra bucks each month on gas, I mean if you factor in my labor each day dealing with the stove and pyramiding my wood pile and whatever else I need to do it actually breaks even with each other. I do like the heat and hot water that comes from the OWB but right now in my life with all my "hobbies" it just isn't to practical. While construction is going on this yr I may keep it around for another season to maybe burn some of that wood pile down but next yr I would like to sell it so somebody else can enjoy it. I just don't know what to ask for it.

[mlappin]

One big thing that keeps me from shutting down, I like my endless hot water, nat gas water heater can’t keep up.

Have the old Pollenex massaging shower head thats been ported and polished will about knock down a nancy boy, still have problems with my neck and standing under a quasi firehose with endless hot water sure feels good.

[schoppy]

Don't blame you at all Dave. If I could buy firewood for $12 a dump truck load I wouldn't be cutting either. I like the benefits of the OWB and burning wood but you are right it can be a PITA at times.

I have my replacement purchased already. Shortly after buying my OWB I found a complete geothermal system big enough for my shed,  less the loop field on Craigs list for $2200. When I'm done burning, years from now God willing, I will install that for my shed as my house already has geo in it.

For now I will just keep supervising my wife as she cuts, splits and stacks. I tell her how healthy it is for her and I get use to the black eyes. LOL.   

[atvalaska]

12$ a dump truck load ...= wood porn !!! ....how much u want for your dump truck ? 😇

[DaveWertz]

Its a 73 F350 with a 12ft pto dump bed, very hard to find with that big of a bed. Ill probable ask $2000 for the truck. 390 big block with a top loader 4 speed. And I get heaping truck loads but you have to have a dump truck at the place I get wood. They manufacture railroad ties, when they get cut to size they scrap the ends so for 12 bucks you can get a months worth of heat!. You should see my wood pile its insane! I think I have about 2yrs worth now but I have 5 more tickets for wood so come heating season again Ill have probable 3-4yrs worth. I can send pics of the truck and wood via text. Shoot me a PM with your number and Ill send whatever you want....

[atvalaska]

I checked for the heck of it...3000.00 to Seattle... 200.00 a foot  from Seattle to Los Anchorage ...that counts me out lol!

[DaveWertz]

HAHA or drive it back. That would cost just as much. I think I got a best of 7 mpg. Although it is a 12ft bed so theres plenty of room for extra gas cans LOL