The volatility of heating oil prices and the appeal of efficient natural gas have made oil-to-gas furnace conversions popular in Suffolk County. While the cost of a new furnace or boiler is often straightforward, the conversion process can involve major and often overlooked expenses that catch homeowners off guard. Knowing these hidden costs of an oil-to-gas conversion can help you to decide the next step.
Are You Already Connected to the Gas Network?
If your Long Island home doesn’t have a natural gas line from the street, you might incur an initial cost to get everything hooked up. Some installations are free, depending on your location, but this usually only includes the first 100 feet.
The Potential Hidden Cost: If you don’t have gas main access, then your utility provider could charge you for a main extension. The cost of this will be even higher if you don’t have a line on your street. Even if it’s present, the cost of running the line inside your home from a new meter will be your responsibility and can add significant time and complexity to the project.
Can You Use the Old Flue for a New Gas Furnace?
You could potentially need a new chimney system for a gas furnace. If you replace an oil burner with an efficient gas furnace or boiler, the existing chimney might be a liability. Combustion gases are cooler and more acidic than those produced by oil.
The Potential Hidden Cost: Lower-temperature exhaust gases can cause a high amount of condensation in a chimney system. When mixed with acidic gas byproducts, clay-based flue liners and mortar joints will degrade. To prevent structural damage and ensure code compliance, you might need a new stainless-steel chimney liner along with your new heating appliance. This is a major expense that many homeowners don’t predict for oil-to-gas conversion.
Is There a Cost to Remove an Old Oil Tank?
There is a high cost to remove an underground oil tank if your home has one. This process is more expensive than removing an above-ground storage tank. You will need a licensed environmental contractor to excavate the tank and test the soil for contamination.
The Potential Hidden Cost: On top of the cost of tank removal, you might be on the hook for the cost of remediation (cleanup), especially if there’s any contamination around the old tank. This can be factored into the cost of an oil-to-gas furnace conversion, but it might make the project unfeasible from an economic standpoint.
The Bottom Line: Should You Upgrade Your Suffolk County Oil Furnace to Gas Heating?
In many cases, it’s worth it to invest in an oil-to-gas furnace or boiler conversion, but there are some caveats:
- The cost of conversion might negate the efficiency benefits of switching to gas.
- An underground fuel oil tank adds significant cost and complexity to the project.
- You will likely need a new liner to safely vent exhaust gases.
Choose an experienced furnace installation team in Suffolk County for the most accurate project estimate and support at every stage of the process. Soundview HVAC is your local heating and cooling company. We have extensive experience installing and upgrading oil heating systems on Long Island. We can help you determine total project costs and can even calculate long-term operating costs and savings relative to the initial conversion cost.
Begin your home comfort consultation by calling us at 631-209-1744 or requesting an appointment online.
