Should I convert from Oil to Gas..since Oil cost is going up?

Question

Oil is going way up and almost to the point that I dont know how I will heat my home this winter in CT. Should I think about converting to Gas? Seems like everyone on my street has gas but me. What do you think the cost is on a project like this?

Answer 1

Natural gas is usually a cheaper alternative than oil but it all depends on the cost of natural gas and the cost of oil. Fuel oil actually has a higher heat content than natural gas.

Have your contractor perform a Manual J load calculation to make sure your unit is sized correctly. Don't accept Rule-of-Dumb sizing procedures (X amount of Btus per square foot) as this usually leads to oversizing and wasted money. Have your ductwork inspected and sealed where necessary to minimize air losses. Get the highest Efficiency rating that you can afford.

If you want the ultimate in savings, consider a Hybrid Heat system. A heat pump will heat your home more efficiently than gas will down to a certain temperature. This temperature has to be calculated and can't be guessed at. If everything is calculated and set up properly, you will save a substantial amount of money on your heating bills. Possibly even enough to pay your monthly payment for the new equipment if you finance it. You can actually use a standard 80% eefficient furnace to reduce installation costs and still save lots of money. As a bonus, the Hybrid Systems also supplies you with refrigerated air in the summertime.

Good Luck!