Converting Central To Boiler Seperate Utilites

Hello All!



Considering purchasing an 3 story ...20+ unit building that has a boiler, since 50%+ of the unit are vacant and need rehab...and more importantly to cut expenses -I would like to get smart on the cheapest option to DIY install or contractor install individual heat sources/options.



Can anyone point me in the right direction to find info on how to convert to electric baseboard or indivual heating options.---removing central boiler.



I did a google search without much succeess..



Thanks much in advance

Comments(6)

  • acucu24th August, 2007

    thanks but without the conversion the deal is dead-
    these are section 8 people that will crank the heat up to 90 and sit in there apartment with the windows open with there shirts off- - on 25 units we are talkin 10-15 grand a month in gas bill- so the boiler is going

    tenants also have utilities payment assistance...so they dont pay, rent is already fixed by housing authority

    so i really need to get costs, info and full understanding and sources for these baseboard systems

  • larock24th August, 2007

    What are the size of the units? Is there a closet that could be converted to a location for a gas fired heating/cooling unit? If the units a small enough there a PTAC through the wall heating/cooling units available, simliar to the units used in hotel rooms. If your thinking baseboard heat heat, do you have 100 or 200 amp electric panels to run the heating units. How many baseboard units do you need? Each one requires a 15 amp circuit minimun. I really enjoy adding value to a property by upgrading and changing things around. Good luck!

  • cjmazur25th August, 2007

    Are the boiler/pipes wrapped in asbestos, which could create a big hastle.

  • luketownsend26th August, 2007

    we are just about to do that, got a 19 unit with a old old steam heat system that the owner pays. Tenants pay elec. Last owner just upgraded elec. So it will handle the baseboards. Baseboards are real cheap (300 a unit in new baseboards) Dont think you need any approval from the city. But they do suck down the juice so make sure that the wiring can handle it.

  • amyarata31st August, 2007

    If one were to convert to individual heating units, and the tenants had it shut off, how would you keep the water pipes from freezing?
    AA

  • cmiller998614th October, 2007

    With rising costs of petroleum based heating sources, electric heat is now lower cost and increasing at a lower rate. I was suprised at this data I recently read in the USA Today while on a business trip. Because of this I am converting some apartments on the 1st floor to electric to test it out. It is very cheap to install as previously pointed out. I will show this data to people looking to rent the place.

    from USA Today:
    http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/energy/2007-10-09-winter-heat-costs_N.htm?csp=34&loc=interstitialskip


    HEATING COSTS RISING

    Record winter heating bills are expected.

    Fuel type/ Average winter cost/ % gain from last winter

    Natural gas/ $891/ 9.5%

    Electricity/ $855/ 3.9%

    Heating oil/ $1,785/ 21.8%

    Propane/ $1,570/ 16.3%

    Avg. for all fuel/ $977/ 9.8%

    Source: Energy Information Administration - 2007

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