is it worth the price to convert from oil heat to gas heat ie, new equipment, gas line already available
2007-02-20 12:49:48 · 5 answers · asked by val 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
We have had gas heat and gas hot water for over 30 years. No interruptions, no smell of furnace oil and cheaper heating than oil or electric. If you have an existing oil furnace in good condition, then the decision is one of economics. Depending on the cost of oil vs gas in your area you will have to decide if it is worth it. How long do you intend to stay in the house? There are many factors to consider. A new mid efficiency gas furnace should cost between $2500 and $3000 installed. Add about $1000 for a high efficiency unit. One additional benefit is than gas is less polluting than oil. Talk to an installation contractor about costs and savings.
2007-02-20 13:14:44 · answer #1 · answered by frozen 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Gas is usually cheaper, but not always; gas and oil prices can vary depending on your location. A heating contractor in your area could certainly run the numbers for you. Besides price, the pros of gas heat are that supplies tend to be more reliable and delivery is automatic, although gas lines have been known to get frozen or cut--leaving you without heat. Gas burns cleaner, so there tends to be less soot buildup, so less maintenance is required. The cons are that gas is somewhat more hazardous. A gas leak can asphyxiate or explode; whereas a fuel oil leak is mostly just a mess (fuel oil is combustible but not flammable, it needs to be heated or atomized to burn). To convert, you'd have to replace the burner in your furnace, which would likely be expensive. If your furnace is more than a few years old, the contractor would probably recommend a new furnace instead of converting your old one.
2016-05-24 00:21:08 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have never seen an oil leak blow a house up. it depends on where you live as to which is more cost effective. here in the northeast most homes are oil heat with most being hot water. gas and electric are the next most popular with gas having the slight edge. i've known a few people who made the switch to gas a few years ago and then regretted it as the price jumped and they didn't get as fast a return on the expense. if your furnace is over 20 years old and not as efficient as it once was, any upgrade to a new one will save you money over time. good luck.
2007-02-20 17:29:50 · answer #3 · answered by car dude 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Oil has more maintenance. As you know you have to replace your filter and nozzle. Depending on where you live it seems to be getting harder and harder to get someone that will work on an oil furnace. I live in Iowa. I don't enjoy working on them. If you get a good natural gas or L.P. furnace it will be much more dependable than a oil furnace. Just make sure to look at consumer reports on furnaces and get some estamtes
. Not all furnaces are made equally. I have a Rheem
Good luck
2007-02-22 20:33:15 · answer #4 · answered by Sean B 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes. gas is high efficient. the price of gas is more stable. less messy and you never run out in the middle of the night. im an hvac tech and prefer them overwhelmingly
2007-02-20 12:56:49 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋