What are the pro and cons for converting your electric furnace to a gas furnace? There is a lot to be examined when looking at the differences between electric and gas furnaces, especially in the St. Louis area because of our chilly winters! Most homes in St. Louis are equipped with a gas furnace. But, for those that are not, there are some viable reasons to consider converting to a gas furnace for your heating and cooling system.
Contact our heating & air conditioning professionals to examine your current system and for a personalized estimate for installing a gas furnace. Galmiche & Sons has served the greater St. Louis area for decades, helping families meet their gas furnace repair, installation, and service needs. Our goal is to make sure you have an energy efficient and comfortable home.
The Benefits of a Gas Furnace
Gas is efficient and cost effective. Natural gas has never been cheaper than today’s energy market. The U.S Department of Energy estimates that a gas furnace will cost less than $650 per year on average for a household. That is even less than electricity. Natural gas is the most common home heating fuel, used in about 57 percent of homes nationwide. Gas is more environmentally-friendly and provides a cleaner form of heat that is better for the health of your family.
If your kitchen stove or clothes dryer is already powered by the warm flames of natural gas or propane, it might be worth considering a gas furnace. If you don’t have natural gas already piped to your home, call your local utility company to see if you are near a gas line. You may even be able to convince the local gas company to install a gas pipe to your home.
Another benefit of having a gas main line installed for your gas furnace is you can convert your other appliances, like your stove and dryer. Not only do you save more money in the long run, it’s also a desirable trait for houses to have, thus increasing your home’s value.
The Financials Typically Involved with Gas Furnace Conversions
Upgrade Expenses
A good estimate for a new gas furnace is between $1,000 to $2,000 for a basic unit. The more energy-efficient the system is – which will save you more money in the long run – the more you can expect to pay in up-front cost.
You might be eligible for a tax credit, depending on the type of energy-efficient gas furnace you purchase. Check with your state government and local utility company for energy rebates and upgrades.
You should also be aware if you need to add a natural gas line to your home, that can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $5,000, depending on how far away the gas line main is from your home. Talk with your utility company to see if they will cover the cost entirely or contribute to the total. You may also want to talk with your neighbors, as connecting a neighborhood or community can be desirable for the utility company and save individuals more money overall.
Overall Savings
From month to month, a new furnace will use natural gas to heat your home. This source of energy is cheaper than many of the alternatives, including electricity. Further, the production of natural gas in the United States is at an all-time high. A high-efficiency natural gas furnace can save up to 20 percent in operation costs, compared to older models. The price of electric versus natural gas means that even compared to a high-efficiency electric furnace, the cost of heating with a gas furnace is significantly lower. While prices for gas and electricity vary over time and by region, gas furnaces typically cost much less to operate than electric furnaces or heaters.
Contact Galmiche & Sons for Your Gas Furnace Needs in St. Louis
If you are considering converting from an electric to gas furnace, or upgrading to a more energy efficient gas furnace, contact our heating & air conditioning company today to get a free HVAC system quote for your home.
