Back in 2000 we replaced our fullsize van-sized, asbestos-laden boiler with a Smith Cast Iron Boiler 28A which is closer in size to a large refridgerator laying on it's side (and more BTU's). It currently has an oil burner and we burn about 60 gals. of HHO a day in the winter supplying steam for heat.

Our fuel oil tanks are due for replacement (or removal) within the next couple of years. Our options are somewhat limited since we're in a historic district. Above ground on a containment pad would be the preferred choice but it would never fly so it would have to be another inground tank.

We got to thinking, since we have gas service already for the hot water heater, is it possible to replace the oil burner on the boiler with a gas burner? I can't think of any reason it couldn't. Doing so has a lot of advantages for us. 1) Takes the tank out of the equation all together, just have to pay to get the old one removed. 2) Easier to budget out the heating fuel expenses since it would be metered over a given period of time vs. whenever the oil company got around to delivering it (often to empty the no so clean stuff out of their own storage tank before refilling), sometimes twice a week. 3) Eliminates the possibilty of running out of fuel (which has happened during especially cold stretches. 4)The gas company offers full energy audits for their customers which might point us towards some significant energy savings across the board.

With the price of HHO and natural gas fluctuating all over the place, it's probably a wash over the long run. Even if it does cost more, the savings from not replacing the tank gives us a head start. The fuel cost is secondary anyway, we don't mind paying a bit more for a cleaner burning fuel that eliminates some of the headaches of HHO. And I won't even go into the politics of NG and HHO.

Anybody do it commercially or residentially? My brother placed a call to CNG to have a rep. come out but hasn't gotten an appointment yet.

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1980 300TD-China Blue/Blue MBTex-2nd Owner, 107K (Alt Blau) OBK #15
'06 Chevy Tahoe Z71 (for the wife & 4 kids, current mule) '03 Honda Odyssey (son #1's ride, reluctantly) '99 GMC Suburban (255K+ miles, semi-retired mule) 21' SeaRay Seville (summer escape pod)