Oil to Gas Furnace Conversion

WE’LL HELP YOU KEEP YOUR COOL WHEN YOUR HEATING ACTS UP

Did you know that you can convert an oil furnace or boiler to use gas instead? From burning fuel oil, you can replace it with natural gas as a source of heat. You can convert your furnace & boiler in two ways:

1. Have your existing furnace fitted with a conversion burner fueled with gas.
2. Replace your furnace with a gas-burning unit.

The second one will be most beneficial for furnaces that are more than a decade old.

Is It Beneficial to Convert From Oil to Natural Gas?

There are benefits and disadvantages to converting your oil furnace into gas. You must know them before deciding whether to go for it or not. Here are some of the major things that you need to consider:

Convenience - Natural gas is always available. It will be easier for you to keep your tank full and ensure that you will not run out, especially when you need it most. Heating oil may not be as accessible, so it is more convenient to rely on gas.

Cost of Conversion - the cost of converting from oil to gas will be dependent on how long you intend to stay in the property it is in and the price fluctuations of oil and gas in the market. Think about it. The cost for converting is usually around $6,000 to $13,500. It is a lot of money, but in the long run, using gas would help you save more with the current market price. However, if you do not intend to stay in the property for long, if you are renting it for a time, or you are planning to move out soon, it would be best to stick to the status quo. You need to count the cost before you make your decision so that you can maximize the benefit of the furnace you are going to invest in.

Impact on the Environment - you do not have to be an environmental advocate to be concerned about the effects of your choices on the natural environment. Thus, you may want to consider the effects of using natural gas and heating oil, compare them, and see which is safer. Natural gas has long been claimed to be a clean alternative fuel. However, studies show that when it is fracked, it can contaminate groundwater, posing a danger to living organisms. On the other hand, heating oil is a cleaner heat source. With new technologies being used, emission levels are now close to zero, and soots, smells, and residues are almost nil.

Cost of Fuel - today, many people favor the use of natural gas because of the cost. However, you should be considering long-term. Many analysts project that natural gas prices will shoot up in the future due to an increase in demand. We may be enjoying low prices today because of oversupply, but as more industries shift to using natural gas, there will come a time that its cost will spike, so converting may not be as advantageous anymore.

More About Oil to Gas Conversion

Converting from oil to gas furnaces is a serious decision, which you must carefully consider. If you are in central New Jersey and you want to explore this option further, call Air Professionals Heating & Air Conditioning at (908) 284-2422 for a free estimate.