If you’re considering converting from oil to natural gas, we understand it’s a big decision. It’s important to be aware of all the costs and benefits of making the switch. Converting to natural gas pays off in the long run by not only saving you money, but also saving you time and stress, providing higher quality energy and reducing your impact on the environment.
Money Savings
- Energy Efficient: The upfront cost of switching to natural gas can be more costly than keeping your old oil equipment. However, many clients find they make their money back in energy usage savings alone after less than 5 years. According to the United States Energy Information Administration, heating a house through the winter with oil costs approximately $1,700, compared to $900 using natural gas. That’s at least $800 saved already.
- Cost Effective Equipment: Gas equipment itself also costs less to install and maintain than oil gear, especially if you compare prices on high efficiency models. Even a standard gas system is more fuel efficient than an oil one, though it can be up to 96% more efficient with the right equipment.
- Resale Value: Having a natural gas heating system can increase the resale value of your house. As long as you plan on living in your home for at least another 5 years, you’ll easily be able to recover your initial investment.
More Convenient
Natural gas is also much more convenient and user-friendly than oil. Gas is piped right into your home unlike oil, which requires scheduled deliveries, advance payments, and monitoring levels to keep tabs on your supply. There is a higher possibility of needing to repair oil heating equipment as well. This upkeep can be a hassle, making gas lower maintenance and easier to live with.
Your gas supply is also much less likely to get disrupted in a power outage, and since you won’t have a big oil tank anymore, there is nothing to clean up or cause unpleasant odors.
Better Quality
In addition to being cost effective and low maintenance, gas heating also provides a more comfortable and consistent heat. The heat gas produces is on average 25 to 35 degrees warmer and doesn’t take any time to warm up. It is very versatile and can be used for many other household applications like cooking, drying clothes, and heating water heaters, fireplaces, grills, space heaters and more.
Environmentally Friendly
Last but not least, natural gas has a much lower carbon footprint than oil. It is the cleanest fossil fuel available, making it an environmentally responsible choice. Your annual carbon emissions can be reduced by 66% by converting from oil to gas. Plus in the United States, it is one of our most abundant resources and helps us reduce our dependence on foreign oil.
