3 Considerations When Converting From Oil to Gas Heat

It's usually easiest to stick with the same fuel type when upgrading or replacing your home's heating, but there are plenty of excellent reasons to convert. Many people choose to convert their oil heating systems to gas to improve efficiency, reduce their carbon footprint, or just to avoid the mess and hassle of refueling an oil tank. Whatever the case, this process adds several complications to a typical install.

If you're about to take the plunge for your home, then you'll need to keep a few essential details in mind. This guide will help you understand three critical considerations that can impact the cost and difficulty of your installation process.

1. Existing Gas Line vs. New Service

If your home already has gas service, then you're in luck! The costliest part of any new gas installation is running a new line to your home from the street. Homes that use other gas appliances (such as stoves or clothes dryers) can forego this cost. Instead, your installer only needs to run new gas plumbing inside your home. You may also need to upgrade your service if your existing meter is too small.

On the other hand, adding a new gas service will mean installing a meter and running a gas line from the street. Prices for this can vary, but expect to pay more than the cost of a few extra pipes inside your home. Fortunately, natural gas is an efficient source of power, and you can maximize your investment by installing additional gas appliances in the future.

2. Tank Removal

When converting from oil to gas heat, the elephant in the room will always be the existing oil tank. Just as when dealing with an oil septic tank, you'll need to take the proper steps to decommission your oil tank. Some municipalities may even require that you remove the tank before proceeding with your new natural gas installation.

Check with your installer to determine if there are any local requirements relating to your old tank. If you decide not to remove the tank, follow any procedures to decommission it safely and keep records of the process. Documenting these steps can help you avoid trouble in the future, especially if you decide to sell the property.

3. Furnace Efficiency

Modern oil furnaces are surprisingly efficient, even when compared to gas appliances. For this reason, you'll most likely want to choose a high-efficient gas furnace to maximize your new investment. The AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) rating can tell you the percentage of fuel that your furnace can convert directly into usable heat. Any unit with a 95% or better rating is considered high-efficiency.

Converting to natural gas for your new heating installation can save you money while also making your home more environmentally friendly. Keep these considerations in mind, and your new heating system will be sure to provide you with years of affordable comfort. To get help with a heating installation, contact an HVAC contractor.