In my opinion you are better off keeping things simple and install a stand alone boiler. A standard boiler tends to be more reliable and easier to install and maintain. Your two year old hot water heater will probably last another 15 years. There is little advantage of removing it.

Thanks Mike..here is the issue though..the tank vents thru the chimney and I was explained that once the oil boiler is removed and new one vents to the side of the house the tank is out of code as a liner needs to be installed in the chimney for the tank to continue venting which cost more than the tank itself. It was ok on current set only because oil burns hotter than gas.

Is this a one story house? Was the liner quoted as a separate line item and if so how much was it? Every chimney and installation is different, but installing a liner should not be big ticket item.

You could be a less efficient boiler that will vent up the chimney. A few percentage less in efficiency is not going to be a big fuel saving on the house of your size. It would result in a lower installation cost.

Are you getting additional quotes with alternate options? The heating season has started in Boston. If the current boiler is working with no issues you may want to wait until April when the heating season. The company you are talking to may be swamped with new installation work and quoting high prices. It best to do these type of projects during mild weather.

I don't what are the current prices are for replacing a oil fired boiler with a gas equivalent, but I would think a price of $10K-$12K would be reasonable. You won't know what is reasonable unless you get additional quotes on similar equipment. You should ask for a heat load calculation. I would bet your current boiler is old and over sized. You want a properly sized boiler.

Sometimes the gas company has incentives to persuade a conversion, check them out.

Mike

I didn't get a quote for the liner but they mentioned is probably 2K.

10K is what my expectation was for the conversion..the current boiler is 15 years.

And yes there's an incentive of about 2.7K rebate from gas company if an efficient one is installed but I think it needs to be done before 12/31.

Thats my current one size.

Here is a stainless steel 30 foot by 5 inch chimney liner kit which sells for $432. Every installation is different, but charging another $1500 seems to be a bit much. If you are getting a $2700 rebate then it makes sense to install a high efficiency model.

"here is the issue though..the tank vents thru the chimney and I was explained that once the oil boiler is removed and new one vents to the side of the house the tank is out of code as a liner needs to be installed in the chimney for the tank to continue venting which cost more than the tank itself. It was ok on current set only because oil burns hotter than gas."

Makes no sense as described(?!) What happens when the water tank is heating but the oil boiler isn't???

True..no sure about the logic.