Your furnace and boiler keep your home warm and comfortable on the coldest days. However, oil users know that the more they turn up the heat, the more they’re turning up their monthly bills. Switching from oil to gas heat is a great option that can leave you with a lower utility bill. Here’s how to save money by converting oil heat to gas!
Gas Furnaces and Boilers: Here’s What to Know
The gas furnace or boiler uses natural gas or propane to keep your home nice and warm in the winter months.
Natural gas furnaces connect to gas lines close to the house. These are common in most areas and you can find out if you have one to use by calling the local utility company.
Propane is a popular choice because it’s non-toxic and very energy efficient. It comes in liquid form and typically fills a tank with a line running to your home. Appliances powered by propane convert the liquid to gas to provide heat.
Gas Pros and Cons
Pros
Gas heat is very efficient at heating. It’s one of the types of furnaces where you’ll get the hottest air, which is why it’s well-suited for cold climates. Many people opt for gas heat in the northern states.
Gas lines are buried deep in the ground, so in the event of extreme weather and power outages, the heat keeps running. This saves you stress and keeps your home safe and warm in the event of extreme winter weather.
In addition, gas can heat your water and power your appliances. You can have the option and flexibility to use gas to power your washer and dryer, cooking appliances, fireplace, and more.
The benefit of natural gas is that it’s considered much cleaner and easier on the environment than other fossil fuels, including oil. Depending on your circumstances, it can be very easy to install. Although installation is a lot more pricey than oil heat, it yields a big return on your investment with cheaper energy bills.
Cons
Although generally considered environmentally friendly, be aware of fracking (or hydraulic fracturing) when it comes to natural gas. Fracking is a controversial drilling process often used to obtain natural gas.
While some consider fracking safe, others consider it harmful for groundwater and the general area. While considering gas heat, do your research and make sure your decision aligns with your environmental stance.
Another con of gas fuel is that you’ll need to keep a close eye on your appliances and their maintenance. Potential gas leaks are dangerous for the health and safety of you and your loved ones. You’ll need a carbon monoxide detector and a professional inspection each year or more frequently as needed to stay safe.
Oil Pros and Cons
Pros
Oil is very available and easily distributed across the world. Although gas also provides powerful heating, oil produces a lot more heat per unit. Oil appliances have long lifespans and are cheaper to install than gas appliances. Oil heating also tends to be safer than gas with no risk of explosion.
Cons
Using oil is very harsh on the environment. Oil spills and oil fracking have caused devastating damage. Burning oil is also very polluting to the air, contributing to the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
The equipment used to burn oil produces dust and ash that can cause poor indoor air quality. Oil appliances require more frequent cleaning for this reason.
It’s also more expensive to keep your oil furnace or boiler running. You’ll see much higher monthly bills than if you were to use gas to heat your home.
Converting Oil Heat to Gas: Is it the Budget-Friendly Option?
Before switching from oil to gas heat, it’s important to assess your budget. What are you willing to spend on the switch to gas heat? How should you go about converting oil heat to gas in the most cost-effective way?
Gas furnace or boiler installation can be much more costly than oil appliances. On top of the high price, you may need to hook up to a gas line or change your appliance connection, which can add a significant amount to installation costs.
It’s also recommended to inspect and repair any existing gas lines, which can add to the price. Even further, your area might require a building permit for certain kinds of installations.
The best way to save money switching from oil to gas heat is by keeping these details in mind. Make sure to take permits, gas lines, and system costs into account while budgeting and determining if the energy savings will ultimately be worth it. Choose the model, efficiency, gas type, and hookup that best fits your unique budget and needs.
Why Switching from Oil to Gas Heat Saves Money
Despite high installation costs, gas heat can bring a huge return on your investment. Gas heat can have you paying less than half of what you’d pay for oil heat. In the long-term, the money you save might make up for the higher initial cost and much, much more. It’s just one of many ways to dramatically reduce your energy costs.
You might not even feel the need to run high-efficiency gas heaters nearly as long as you’d run an oil-powered heater. Energy efficient gas furnaces use up to 98% of their running energy, keeping losses minimal. This spells out even more savings, since you won’t be using extra energy to bring enough heat into the house.
If you plan on switching your oven, stove, washer, dryer, or other appliances to gas energy, it will be a much cheaper and easier process if you already have a gas hookup. Furthermore, if you’re interested in shrinking your carbon footprint, gas appliances burn cleaner and are more efficient than oil.
If you can handle the upfront cost and are ready to reap the savings on your energy bills, consider gas heat! Live Free Heating Cooling Electric provides excellent service, maintenance, and installation for gas furnaces and boilers in New Hampshire. Chat with us for a free estimate today! (terms apply)