Older, oil-heated homes often are less efficient and more expensive than homes heated by natural gas. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports the average consumer pays more in a year for oil than gas, but cost isn’t the only thing to consider when you plan an oil-to-gas conversion for your home.
A heat conversion takes time and certain elements need to be in place for the process to go smoothly and as quickly as possible. If you’re debating whether early November is too late for an oil-to-gas conversion, consider these steps of the process to determine if the heat conversion is a good idea for your home this fall.
Gas vs Oil HeatingThe EIA reports that about 5.7 million households in the United States use heating oil as their main space heating fuel with 84% of those homes being in the northeast region. Which means, if you’re ready for an oil-to-gas conversion, you’re going to need a heating expert in Yonkers, NY.
- About 20% of homes in the Northeast Census region use heating oil
- In 2016, about 33% of all commercial sector oil use was in the Northeast
- In 2016, about 3.1 billion gallons of heating oil were sold to homeowners in the Northeast
The use of heating oil is rapidly declining because homeowners continue to convert the older systems to more efficient, economical models. The U.S. Census Bureau reports that 59% of new construction homes built in 2017 were designed with natural gas heating systems.Homes across the U.S. use natural gas, but five states make up roughly 39% of the total U.S. consumption, with New York making the list.
- Texas—14.7%
- California—7.90%
- Louisiana—5.7%
- New York—5.0%
- Florida—4.8%
How long does oil-to-gas conversion take?
Converting your home from oil to gas heat typically takes two to three days. The heating conversion process could include a number of different additions or adjustments to your home:
- Gas line addition
- Installing chimney liner
- Updating appliances
- Removing dated oil system
Does my home have a gas line?
The best way to determine if your home has a gas line is to look for a gas meter. These meters track the amount of gas your home uses and are installed in residential spaces built with gas lines. If you don’t see a meter, you may not have a gas line and will need a utility company to install one.
Cost for Oil-To-Gas Conversion
The cost to convert your home’s heating from oil-to-gas in New York can range from anywhere from $3,000 to $8,000, and in some cases up to $15,000, according to one study. The price range is so wide due to the different elements that may need changed, replaced or removed from your home.
So, is it worth the price?
The study found that on average, the New York homeowner will recoup the oil-to-gas conversion cost in 4.25 years. In addition, gas heat releases fewer emissions, making it a more environmentally friendly option.
If you plan to be in your home for the next four to five years, or know there are some energy-based tax incentives you can take advantage of, the heat conversion will be a good investment for your home. Choose a trustworthy Yonkers, New York heating expert to evaluate your current heating system and give you an in-home estimate of what your project would cost.
As of December 2023, utility company Con Edison has lifted the gas moratorium in Westchester County. Many residents were ready to apply in March of 2018 when the moratorium was put in place. Flotechs Plumbing is skilled in oil-to-gas conversions and can have most heat conversion projects complete in just a matter of days – well before the cold New York winter hits.
