Converting From Oil To Natural Gas in NJ – What You Need To Know

Oil to Gas Conversions in Morris, Essex, Union and Somerset Counties, New Jersey

The average home will spend nearly $1,000 heating their home this winter, according to the National Energy Assistance Directors’ Association (NEADA). That is an increase of over ten percent from last year’s national average. For homeowners using oil to heat their home, the jump in cost is even more dramatic. NEADA reports that oil heating costs have more than doubled within the last four years. Therefore, with these continued spikes in the cost of oil-fueled home heating systems, more and more homeowners are considering the conversion from oil to natural gas.

Is Natural Gas The Right Option For You?

Is natural gas the right option for your home? A number of factors need to be considered when making this determination. First, are there currently gas lines and meters in your New Jersey home or area? If not, the cost and timeline of converting will be greater. Second, are you in a financial position to cover the upfront conversion and installation costs? While the monthly cost of natural gas in NJ is significantly less than that of oil, the initial financial outlay involved in converting to natural gas is greater than the cost of using oil to heat your home. Lastly, does your county have the required gas lines for a natural gas heating system? An experienced NJ oil to gas conversion company can evaluate your home and assist in determining whether natural gas is right for your residence.

Natural Gas – The Advantages:

The recent shift from oil to natural gas heating is spurred, in large part, by a number of distinct advantages. These include:

  • Reduced Costs: Data indicates that natural gas is up to eighty percent less expensive than oil. Furthermore, nearly ninety percent of the natural gas used in heating comes from the United States. This means that you are not at the mercy of fluctuating prices that result from unstable international relations and shifts in the global economy. Additionally, your costs are lowered by the fact that there is no need for oil deliveries. The gas is piped directly into your home or building. This saves time and money.
  • Tax Benefits: By switching to natural gas, you have the opportunity to install high-efficiency heating equipment. These new equipment options often come with a host of tax credits and rebates from the utility company.
  • Environmentally Friendly: Studies have shown heating homes with natural gas to be better for the environment for a number of reasons. First, natural gas heating burns one hundred percent of its fuel. There is no leftover residue or particles to clog the chimneys or the environment. Additionally, natural gas has been shown to produce fewer emissions of sulfur, carbon and nitrogen than oil. Lastly, natural gas has been shown to help reduce smog, acid rain and greenhouse emissions.

Converting To Natural Gas in New Jersey

For homeowners looking to convert, understanding the process is the first step. Below is a brief overview of what goes into a full-scale conversion from oil to natural gas heating systems.

The Conversion Process:

  • Initial Call: Homeowners ready to convert should start by calling a trusted NJ natural gas conversion company to discuss the options and ensure that full-scale conversion from oil to natural gas will work for their home or building.
  • Evaluation: After the initial call, a certified NJ natural gas technician will visit your home or building to determine the scope of the project, review the needed steps for conversion with you and provide a pricing quote and timeline for the project. The price and timetable for conversion will depend on whether the home or building has a pre-existing gas line and gas meter. If so, the project will likely be simple, quick and relatively inexpensive. If no gas line or gas meter is present, they will need to be installed, and that will increase the cost and timetable of the project.
  • Planning: After the evaluation is complete and a quote is agreed upon, an oil to gas conversion contractor will plan the equipment switch-out in a way that offers the home or building owner the least amount of disruption to their daily lives and downtime for the heating system.
  • Conversion Installation: The old, oil-fired equipment will be removed before certified natural gas installers set up your new gas-fired equipment. All equipment setups will be done in accordance with city and New Jersey state codes. Once that is completed, homeowners will be advised as to whether the equipment used comes with tax credits or rebates. If so, homeowners will be advised on how to proceed with filing the needed claims for those credits.

Converting From Oil To Gas – Consult A Professional

Natural gas offers a host of advantages to home and building owners. There are, however, a few drawbacks that require careful consideration before embarking on the process. Contact an expert at Argent Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning today to discuss your specific heating needs and determine whether a natural gas conversion is the best heating solution for your home. Homeowners can call 908-286-1920 to speak with an Argent expert immediately.