Oil-to-Gas Conversion in NYC and Long Island: Steps, Utility Applications, and Tank Removal

Many homes and buildings across New York City and Long Island still heat with fuel oil. Converting to natural gas involves the gas utility, the building department, your heating equipment, and the oil tank, so it helps to understand the whole sequence before you start.

Why owners consider converting

Common reasons include not having to schedule oil deliveries, freeing up the space taken by an oil tank, reducing the risk of tank leaks, and replacing an aging oil burner or boiler at the same time. Natural gas equipment can also be compact and is widely serviced. That said, conversion is not the only option. Some owners compare it with electric heat pumps, especially where gas service would require a long new service line or where they want to move away from fossil fuels. It is worth looking at both before deciding.

Note that New York City restricts fossil fuel combustion in most new buildings under Local Law 154 of 2021. That law is aimed at new construction and major projects; converting the heating system in an existing building is a separate question, but it is another reason to think long-term about your choice.

Step 1: Check gas availability with the right utility

Which utility you deal with depends on where the property is:

• Con Edison provides gas in Manhattan, the Bronx, and parts of Queens.
• National Grid provides gas in Brooklyn, Staten Island, parts of Queens including the Rockaways, and throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties.
• PSEG Long Island is the electric provider on Long Island; it does not supply natural gas.

The utility will confirm whether there is a gas main on your street, whether your existing service line (if any) can handle the new load, and whether a new service line or meter is needed. National Grid lists a dedicated line for new service and natural gas conversions, and Con Edison handles conversions through its gas customer connections process.

Step 2: Plan the equipment and piping

A conversion usually means either replacing the oil boiler or furnace with a gas-fired unit or, in some cases, installing a conversion burner on a suitable existing boiler. A heating professional should look at the age and condition of the existing equipment, the size of the building, and the chimney or venting. Many modern high-efficiency gas boilers and furnaces vent through a side wall with plastic pipe, while others need a lined chimney.

New gas piping is then run from the meter location to the heating equipment and any other gas appliances, such as a water heater or range.

Step 3: Permits and inspections

In New York City, gas piping and boiler work is filed with the Department of Buildings by the licensed professionals responsible for it. After installation, the gas piping is pressure tested and inspected, and DOB issues Gas Authorization before the utility can turn on gas. Boilers in many buildings also need to be registered with DOB.

On Long Island, the town or village building department issues permits and performs inspections. National Grid coordinates the service line and meter set and turns on gas once the house piping is ready and approved.

Step 4: The utility installs or upgrades service

If a new service line is needed, the utility or its contractor installs it from the street to the building and sets the meter. This part of the work is scheduled by the utility and can depend on street opening permits and seasonal workload, so it is wise to start the application well before the heating season.

Step 5: Deal with the oil tank

Once the heating system is on gas, the oil tank is no longer needed. Tanks are either removed or abandoned in place, depending on the location and local rules:

• In New York City, tank abandonment and removal must follow the NYC Fire Code, and the Construction Codes require exterior fill piping to be removed when a tank is taken out of service.
• On Long Island, county sanitary code rules and local requirements apply, and larger tanks may be subject to New York State DEC petroleum bulk storage rules.
• Any sign of a leak or spill must be reported to the NYS DEC Spill Hotline (1-800-457-7362).

We cover this step in more detail in our guide to oil tank removal and abandonment.

Step 6: Start-up and final checks

After gas is turned on, the new equipment is started, adjusted, and checked for proper combustion and venting. This is also a good moment to make sure carbon monoxide alarms are installed and working, and to register any warranties with the manufacturer.

Questions to ask before you commit

• Is there gas on my street, and will I need a new service line?
• Should I replace the boiler or furnace, or is a conversion burner appropriate?
• How will the new equipment vent, and does the chimney need work?
• What will happen to the oil tank, and who files the paperwork?
• Would a heat pump make more sense for my building?

Serving the five boroughs and Long Island

Whether your building is in Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan, Staten Island, or anywhere in Nassau and Suffolk, the conversion follows the same basic path: utility application, equipment planning, permits, installation, inspection, and tank closure. Getting the order right is what keeps the project moving.

This article is general information for property owners, not legal or engineering advice. Rules and procedures change; confirm current requirements with the agency or utility involved.